Big news, small SSD
Final Fantasy XIV is landing on Switch 2 on August 4 — and it’s bringing a very large suitcase. The game’s initial install will require about 117.2 GB, which eats up roughly half of the console’s 256 GB internal storage once you account for system space. That’s…a lot of Terraria saves gone forever.
How this stacks up in the real world
To put it bluntly: this is the biggest game yet on Switch 2. For comparison, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth held the previous size trophy at about 91.8 GB. With both installed you’d be looking at around 209 GB of used space, leaving precious little room for anything else without adding storage.
Can you expand it?
Yes, but not with just any memory card. The Switch 2 only supports the microSD Express format for expansion, so if you want to keep multiple huge games on the console you’ll need one of those. Otherwise you’ll be uninstalling and reinstalling like it’s a game of digital musical chairs.
And it’ll probably get bigger
FFXIV isn’t done growing — the upcoming Evercold expansion (scheduled for January) is expected to push the install up to around 130 GB. The MMORPG has accumulated years of expansions, dungeons, voice lines, and content, so the file keeps reflecting that long, sprawling history.
Why so huge? Spoiler: content, content, content
The file size is a byproduct of more than a decade of additions. Between the base game and all expansions, players can spend hundreds of hours reaching endgame content — easily 400–500 hours for completionists — which makes the gigabyte count feel a bit more forgivable if you think in hours-per-GB.
Performance and what to expect
Director Naoki Yoshida has said the Switch 2 version targets a steady 30 frames per second, but he also warned about possible frame drops in busy areas. So, yes: you’ll get Eorzea on the go, but don’t be shocked if large crowds cause the framerate to wiggle.
How to decide
If you’re on the fence, Square Enix will host a special livestream on August 1 to show off the Switch 2 version — a good time to judge visuals, performance, and whether you want to commit half your console to one MMO adventure. If you do decide to dive in, bring snacks and a very large microSD Express card.
