Hardware Was Nintendo reasonable for only including 256GB internal storage?

Marc_LFD · Apr 23, 2026

256GB feels so small these days that I ended up buying a 256GB Express SD so adding both together, my console has around 500GB total (379GB free). So no, not really.

I did buy a 512GB Express SD card, haven't used it yet.

It reminds me of Apple's Mac Book Neo, it has 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD. It's like both of them are including the bare minimum as they know it'll sell.

emmauss · Apr 23, 2026

They included 256GB of memory so as to keep within the $450 price point. Even with mobile phones, the price difference between 256GB and 512GB of the same model could be in excess of $100 for the 512GB variant. Even if highly subsidized due to mass orders from the supplier, you'd be expecting the base console to be about $500 plus.
People are already complaining about the $450 price, you think people would not complain even more about $500.
Do note that although nintendo may make color variants, the never make variants that have different internal components in the same gen or model. They will not make both a 256GB and a 512GB variant for the release model

Marc_LFD · Apr 23, 2026

emmauss said:
They included 256GB of memory so as to keep within the $450 price point. Even with mobile phones, the price difference between 256GB and 512GB of the same model could be in excess of $100 for the 512GB variant. Even if highly subsidized due to mass orders from the supplier, you'd be expecting the base console to be about $500 plus.
People are already complaining about the $450 price, you think people would not complain even more about $500.
Do note that although nintendo may make color variants, the never make variants that have different internal components in the same gen or model. They will not make both a 256GB and a 512GB variant for the release model

Yes, but if there were a 512GB I'd go for that. Even Sony during the PS4 era didn't release a model with only 250GB as they knew that'd be too small (and games got way too big).

Scarlet · Apr 23, 2026

Marc_LFD said:
Yes, but if there were a 512GB I'd go for that. Even Sony during the PS4 era didn't release a model with only 250GB as they knew that'd be too small (and games got way too big).

I guess they just figured those that were willing to pay more for extra storage would do so via Micro SD Express cards. People already thought the launch price was too expensive, it being even more, even with more storage, probably wouldn’t have sat well with people.

I’m in a similar boat to you though. I ended up getting a 1tb card and have since filled it lol

tglaria · Apr 23, 2026

Marc_LFD said:
256GB feels so small these days that I ended up buying a 256GB Express SD so adding both together, my console has around 500GB total (379GB free). So no, not really.

I did buy a 512GB Express SD card, haven't used it yet.

It reminds me of Apple's Mac Book Neo, it has 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD. It's like both of them are including the bare minimum as they know it'll sell.

So you're using ~121GB, why complain ?

AndorfRequissa · Apr 23, 2026

one of the main reasons im skipping the switch 2 and waiting for the switch 3 is that the hardware is so outdated and just not realistic for a hardcore gamer.

i also wanted an actual console version. personally i wish they would offer a model that isnt a hybrid and is a real console because 99% of my gaming is done on a tv and a dock. ive used my og switch maybe 10-15x outside of its dock.

Marc_LFD · Apr 23, 2026

tglaria said:
So you're using ~121GB, why complain ?

There's still years to come and that'll fill up.

ChibiMofo · Apr 23, 2026

AndorfRequissa said:
one of the main reasons im skipping the switch 2 and waiting for the switch 3 is that the hardware is so outdated and just not realistic for a hardcore gamer.

Do you want to tell the 20 million hardcore gamers who have bought one or shall I? The MORE outdated Switch 1 won the previous generation outselling (hardcore) Sony and is the best selling gaming machine of all-time and now the Switch 2 is outselling it and has sold more than the outdated PS5. Enjoy your wait for the Switch 3, which will undoubtably be a handheld that is not as powerful as the then-current consoles of the mid-2030s.

And if you are really skipping the S2, why are you even in this particular forum, which is for discussing the Switch 2? You should be playing all those hardcore Sony exclusives.
Both of them.

Post automatically merged: Apr 23, 2026

Marc_LFD said:
Yes, but if there were a 512GB I'd go for that. Even Sony during the PS4 era didn't release a model with only 250GB as they knew that'd be too small (and games got way too big).

Oh that's rich! The PS4 was a console you put under your TV, not a handheld like the Switch. But Sony DID make a handheld in the PS4 era. And how generous were they with that Vita handheld? The original PS Vita (1000 series) came with no internal storage and required a proprietary memory card to save games. The later PS Vita Slim (2000 series) and PlayStation TV included roughly 1 GB of built-in internal storage. Sony knew that would be too small and forced you to buy their proprietary memory sticks. Nintendo doesn't do that.

AndorfRequissa · Apr 23, 2026

ChibiMofo said:
Do you want to tell the 20 million hardcore gamers who have bought one or shall I? The MORE outdated Switch 1 won the previous generation outselling (hardcore) Sony and is the best selling gaming machine of all-time and now the Switch 2 is outselling it and has sold more than the outdated PS5. Enjoy your wait for the Switch 3, which will undoubtably be a handheld that is not as powerful as the then-current consoles of the mid-2030s.

And if you are really skipping the S2, why are you even in this particular forum, which is for discussing the Switch 2? You should be playing all those hardcore Sony exclusives.
Both of them.

why are you such a hatefilled person with people have opposite opinions than you do? im just sharing my personal opinion and you seem to be triggered into hate and anger. i feel sorry for people like you.

people who dont own a switch 2 cant talk about it? i dont own a ps5 either for the record. i prefer retro gaming. nice try projecting false narratives.

DiscostewSM · Apr 23, 2026

AndorfRequissa said:
one of the main reasons im skipping the switch 2 and waiting for the switch 3 is that the hardware is so outdated and just not realistic for a hardcore gamer.

i also wanted an actual console version. personally i wish they would offer a model that isnt a hybrid and is a real console because 99% of my gaming is done on a tv and a dock. ive used my og switch maybe 10-15x outside of its dock.

It's not outdated at all. It's quite advanced for what it is in its form factor, and it's essentially what gamers wanted; a stronger Switch. It's just not bleeding-edge technology, and doesn't need to be. That same notion is likely going to extend to the next iteration, because that's what gamers will want.

Post automatically merged: Apr 23, 2026

As for its internal storage capacity, I think Nintendo made the right call. With Switch 1, the biggest games could not fit onto internal storage, whereas with Switch 2, you can fit at least 2 of the biggest ones for it with room to spare. Not to say I wouldn't want more, as I would, but it's a balancing act with cost and such. And now, given the situation with AI, tariffs, etc, it was even more important to have that balance.

AndorfRequissa · Apr 23, 2026

DiscostewSM said:
It's not outdated at all. It's quite advanced for what it is in its form factor, and it's essentially what gamers wanted; a stronger Switch. It's just not bleeding-edge technology, and doesn't need to be. That same notion is likely going to extend to the next iteration, because that's what gamers will want.

to me its just nintendo falling into the smart phone trap. the next model is already partially designed before the last one is fixed. protecting profits by creating a fanbase who like minor advancements in small iterations so they can collect each model and feel connected to the shiny new toy.

is the switch 2 better than the switch one technically yes its far superior. did it make the jump that it should have given the advancements in technology since the switch 1 was released. i think not. i dont blame consumers as much as i blame the system that people have conformed to.

true advancement is limited because its not profitable enough to hold a long term advantage. washers and dryers and the case studies around industry sustatainment have led towards a lot of bad structures like Just In Time manufacturing and focus on minimum spec adherences.

i tend to get alot of poo thrown my way because people think im anti nintendo. im not i just wish nintendo got back to being a little more revolutionary in its technological advancements and provided more options so that people dont have to conform to the lessor systems they release to please shareholders and the hybrid market. i would have loved to see the switch 2 release dual models where there was an actual console that was a little more powerful but wasnt portable.

tglaria · Apr 23, 2026

Marc_LFD said:
There's still years to come and that'll fill up.

WHEN it fills, you can start complaining.

I don't see a reason to criticize the storage when it's currently enough.
When it fills, you'll have the option to add external storage (I hope cheaper that it is today)

emmauss · Apr 23, 2026

AndorfRequissa said:
to me its just nintendo falling into the smart phone trap. the next model is already partially designed before the last one is fixed. protecting profits by creating a fanbase who like minor advancements in small iterations so they can collect each model and feel connected to the shiny new toy.

is the switch 2 better than the switch one technically yes its far superior. did it make the jump that it should have given the advancements in technology since the switch 1 was released. i think not. i dont blame consumers as much as i blame the system that people have conformed to.

true advancement is limited because its not profitable enough to hold a long term advantage. washers and dryers and the case studies around industry sustatainment have led towards a lot of bad structures like Just In Time manufacturing and focus on minimum spec adherences.

i tend to get alot of poo thrown my way because people think im anti nintendo. im not i just wish nintendo got back to being a little more revolutionary in its technological advancements and provided more options so that people dont have to conform to the lessor systems they release to please shareholders and the hybrid market. i would have loved to see the switch 2 release dual models where there was an actual console that was a little more powerful but wasnt portable.

Since the Wii , Nintendo has never made a console like what you are looking for. It all ended with the GameCube, when they realised they couldn't compete on just pure power because you can't beat the dvd player that was the PS2, or the Blu-ray player that was the PS3.
You may have experienced what to others was over a lifetime ago with the SNES and the GameCube, but you should just accept that that is now history.
The Wii , Wiki, Switch and Switch 2 are all evolutions of the previous. They were never the lesser systems among their opotions, they were the premium item. Would you say the ds was superior to the Wii? 3ds to the Wii u?
There's nothing to go back into, because what you are dreaming of never existed to begin with.

Rune · Apr 23, 2026

AndorfRequissa said:
one of the main reasons im skipping the switch 2 and waiting for the switch 3 is that the hardware is so outdated and just not realistic for a hardcore gamer.

i also wanted an actual console version. personally i wish they would offer a model that isnt a hybrid and is a real console because 99% of my gaming is done on a tv and a dock. ive used my og switch maybe 10-15x outside of its dock.

I'm waiting for the Switch 4 personally. It'll be much better.

AndorfRequissa · Apr 23, 2026

emmauss said:
Since the Wii , Nintendo has never made a console like what you are looking for. It all ended with the GameCube, when they realised they couldn't compete on just pure power because you can't beat the dvd player that was the PS2, or the Blu-ray player that was the PS3.
You may have experienced what to others was over a lifetime ago with the SNES and the GameCube, but you should just accept that that is now history.
The Wii , Wiki, Switch and Switch 2 are all evolutions of the previous. They were never the lesser systems among their opotions, they were the premium item. Would you say the ds was superior to the Wii? 3ds to the Wii u?
There's nothing to go back into, because what you are dreaming of never existed to begin with.

I love my 3ds and only played my wii u a couple times because i got a switch 1 a couple weeks later on launch day of switch 1 because i loved breath of wild so much on wii u that i wanted to see how it was on a newer system.

you are probably right that there is no going back and im dreaming wanting to see a console that is not portable and an upgraded version of what the docked version is. I would pay bigger price tag for it.

im happy though having fun with all the retro stuff available. theres enough to keep me busy for the rest of my lifetime. but who am i kidding if they release a really good looking zelda on the switch 2 i would probably break down and buy a switch 2 no matter how much i talk trash about it lol.

Bladexdsl · Apr 23, 2026

nope cutting corners and using the cheapest inferior hardware possible is what they do best!

NinStar · Apr 23, 2026

I think the fact they decided to stick to SD cards of all things as the only expansion option was probably one of the worst design decisions they made with this console, Not only because the technology itself is outdated and not really that widely used on the average consumer devices nowadays (excluding cameras), but also because they had no choice but to opt for a niche format like SD Express.

DiscostewSM · Apr 23, 2026

NinStar said:
I think the fact they decided to stick to SD cards of all things as the only expansion option was probably one of the worst design decisions they made with this console, Not only because the technology itself is outdated and not really that widely used on the average consumer devices nowadays (excluding cameras), but also because they had no choice but to opt for a niche format like SD Express.

Portable PCs being released still stick with regular microSD.

NinStar · Apr 23, 2026

DiscostewSM said:
Portable PCs being released still stick with regular microSD.

I personally don't know any portable PCs that exclusively uses microSD cards as their only expansion option, they would wear off relatively fast on regular PC usage.

DiscostewSM · Apr 23, 2026

NinStar said:
I personally don't know any portable PCs that exclusively uses microSD cards as their only expansion option, they would wear off relatively fast on regular PC usage.

MicroSD are designed to be swapped in and out on occasion. You going to do that with NVMe that holds the OS, critical system data and such? You put in a bigger NVMe drive, and you leave it. MicroSD actually expands with multiple cards, not replacing.

The fact that microSD is even a thing for these devices shows they don't "require" something newer. As it is, games are compressed, and the bottleneck for PC loading is on the CPU as they doesn't have dedicated decompression hardware to handle the job in tandem. Consoles like PS5, Series, and Switch 2 do. That is why Switch 2 is using microSD Express.

To say microSD Express is outdated when it's newer than NVMe is pretty laughable.

Hardware Was Nintendo reasonable for only including 256GB internal storage?

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