~4 MIN
Intro
The Nintendo Switch 2 is fast approaching, and while specs have trickled out in waves, one recent confirmation has sparked particular interest in the developer and enthusiast communities. According to CD Projekt Red, the maximum cartridge size for the Nintendo Switch 2 is 64 GB—doubling the capacity of its predecessor and offering a major boost for AAA game ports and performance-heavy titles.
This might sound like a dry technical detail on the surface, but it actually reveals quite a lot about the power and intent behind Nintendo’s next-gen handheld system. From streamlined Cyberpunk ports to potential storage concerns in future updates, the 64 GB capacity opens doors—but also raises questions.
1. Nintendo Switch 2 Max Cartridge Size: Confirmed at 64 GB
During a private showcase involving Nintendo content creator Beatemups and CD Projekt Red, it was confirmed that the Switch 2 port of Cyberpunk 2077 will run on a full 64 GB cartridge. This allowed the development team to deliver a more complete, seamless version of the game on Nintendo’s handheld platform—without offloading huge chunks of data to SD cards or requiring massive downloads.
| 📦 Game | 💾 Cartridge Size | 🧠 Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 (Switch 2) | 64 GB | Max capacity used to deliver seamless experience |
| Mario Kart World | 23.4 GB | Optimized first-party size |
| Donkey Kong Bananza | 10 GB | Compact and efficient Nintendo platformer |
2. Why Cartridge Size Matters More Than Ever
It’s easy to overlook cartridge sizes in the era of digital downloads, but on portable platforms like the Switch 2, physical media still matters. The original Switch maxed out at 32 GB per cartridge, often forcing developers to split data or lean heavily on external downloads. Now, with 64 GB physical support, we’re entering a new phase of cartridge-first development—particularly valuable for players without consistent internet access.
🎯 Benefits of Larger Cartridge Capacity
| ✅ Advantage | 🔍 Explanation |
|---|---|
| Full game on one cartridge | No mandatory downloads or split installs for large titles |
| More flexibility for AAA ports | Studios like CD Projekt Red can port massive games without compression nightmares |
| Better offline accessibility | Ideal for handheld gaming on the go |
This improvement also hints at Nintendo’s new focus on performance parity—bringing titles previously considered too demanding, like Cyberpunk 2077, directly onto the handheld platform.
3. Is 64 GB Enough? Future-Proof or Just Bare Minimum?
While 64 GB is certainly an upgrade, some fans are wondering whether it’s enough for the next 5+ years of AAA game development. If an older game like Cyberpunk 2077 already uses the full limit, future titles like Elden Ring II, or large-scale live-service games, might run into constraints fast—especially with the rise of high-res textures, DLC, and expanding online worlds.
📊 Projected Game Sizes (Next-Gen Titles)
| 🎮 Game Type | 📈 Average Size | 🧪 Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First-party platformers | 10–25 GB | Nintendo excels at efficient compression |
| Modern open-world AAA games | 40–64 GB+ | Could hit or exceed max cartridge size quickly |
| Live-service titles | 50 GB base + patches | Likely require hybrid cartridge + download model |
4. Nintendo Direct Recap: More Than Just Cartridge News
The Switch 2’s cartridge capacity wasn’t the only revelation from Nintendo’s recent April Nintendo Direct showcase. Several highly anticipated sequels and system details were confirmed:
🧩 Switch 2 Feature Highlights
| 🆕 Feature | 💡 Details |
|---|---|
| Larger Screen | Enhanced 7.9” OLED display |
| Joy-Cons as Mice | New input mode for precision-heavy gameplay |
| Backward Compatibility | Supports original Switch cartridges |
| New Titles Previewed | Metroid Prime 4, Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, and more |
The Nintendo Switch 2 is officially launching on June 5, 2025, though pre-orders in the U.S. are currently paused due to President Trump’s tariff policies, which are impacting certain imports. International buyers, however, are expected to see stock roll out on schedule.
5. Final Thoughts: What the 64 GB Limit Really Means
The confirmation that Nintendo Switch 2 supports 64 GB cartridges is more than a tech spec—it’s a clear signal that Nintendo is taking the needs of modern developers seriously. With AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 running cleanly on physical media, Switch 2 is shaping up to be more than just a casual console—it’s a versatile powerhouse for high-performance portable gaming.
Whether this 64 GB ceiling holds up over time will depend on how well Nintendo and third-party devs balance file size, compression, and post-launch content. But for now, it’s a promising leap.