Posted in: Games, Nintendo, Video Games | Tagged: nintendo, nintendo switch

Switch Data Can't Be Transferred, According To Nintendo

Published Sat, 04 Mar 2017 16:45:08 -0600

You'll have to beat whatever game you're playing on the Switch until you purchase new ones. According to Nintendo's own FAQ about their latest console, once you download new content to the system, you will need to delete other content to make room, and nothing you've already accomplished on the primary memory can be transferred.

Where is game save data stored?

On Nintendo Switch, game save data is stored on the console's System Memory. This will not change whether downloadable software or software from a game card is being played.

Game save data cannot be saved or copied to a microSD card.

What happens if there is no more space on the System Memory for your game save data?

You will need to free up space within System Settings > Data Management.

So if you're playing Zelda on a system with a bunch of games stored on the console already, and you download a new game only to discover there's no more room, you can't transfer those files anywhere. You either delete the content you have or you need to put in a memory card to store the new game. But how many people are keeping a supply of microSD cards around for just such an occasion? Aside from being a kick in the backside to gamers who may lose data mid-game or accidentally save over a file, it's a change of pace from the WiiU and 3DS systems of content management. Sure, those systems may be clunky, but they work.

So word to the wise, take great care of your system because if you break the Switch or lose all your data somehow, it's gone for good. And all you can realistically do is purchase a new one and redownload the games with your account. Hopefully, Nintendo will realize how stupid this was and release an update fixing it.

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