The modern version of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade comes to Switch 2, finally playable on the go.
But the launch high meets a low point with the file size. At roughly 90 GB, it fills about one-third of the Switch 2’s 256 GB capacity.
Why Is Storage the Problem, Not the Game?
Big installs are nothing new, as Final Fantasy VII Remake needed multiple PS5 discs and Rebirth takes up almost 145 GB.
However, the Switch 2 complicates things because its cartridges are limited to 64 GB, which is not enough for a game this size. Square Enix used a Game-Key Card instead of redesigning the media.
So even if someone buys the “physical” copy, they’ll still be stuck downloading most of the game, which takes a big bite out of the Switch 2’s storage.
Many argue the real hurdle isn’t how big FF7 Remake is but how little space Nintendo leaves players to work with.
Why Don’t Developers Use Larger Cartridges?
Developers don’t use larger cartridges for two main reasons: cost and speed.
From a cost perspective, producing a 64 GB Switch 2 cartridge runs publishers about $15–20 apiece, while a 100 GB Blu-ray can be pressed for less than a dollar.
That price gap makes it hard to justify when digital releases are cheaper to produce and distribute.
Speed is another problem, as cartridges fall short of the Switch 2’s SSD, even if cost weren’t a factor.
Studios such as Ubisoft explain that streaming is critical for big open-world games, and cartridges don’t provide the same speed.
That’s why more studios are embracing digital methods, with even high-profile projects such as Final Fantasy VII Remake feeling the pinch.
What’s the Cost of Playing FF7 Remake on Switch 2?
Once FF7 Remake Intergrade is installed, players are left with less than 170 GB before factoring in updates and system storage.
With AAA releases regularly pushing 70–100 GB, Switch 2 owners may find themselves juggling installs far sooner than expected.
Nintendo’s solution is expandable storage via microSD Express cards, but they’re not cheap. Early adopters report spending over $100 for modest upgrades and up to $300 for 1 TB cards.
Worse, these cards don’t match the performance of the internal SSD, meaning the smoothest experience still depends on limited internal storage.
Switch users used to juggling storage may cope, but downloads on this scale highlight the problem more clearly.
Can Switch 2 Realistically Handle the Whole Trilogy?
Square Enix has already committed to bringing the entire Remake trilogy to Switch 2.
If the second game, Rebirth, is already larger than 140 GB on PS5, the math doesn’t look good for Nintendo’s system.
Playing all three entries on one console without external storage will be practically impossible.
There is speculation that Nintendo’s longtime partner Macronix may introduce new types of flash memory that allow larger, more affordable cartridges in the future.
But even if that happens, questions remain about whether they’d deliver the performance today’s games require.
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