re: Official Nintendo Switch Thread: Switch IN STOCK Tomorrow 5/21 - Best Buy

All of mine is out for delivery. I told my roommate when it arrives let me know and I'm leaving work.

LINK

quote:

---

The Nintendo Switch launches tomorrow with support for expandable storage via a microSD card slot, but that support is pretty limited, as we discovered after applying the console’s day-one update today. Switch save data is stored in the console’s system memory, and currently cannot be copied to any external storage medium for backup purposes (or any other reason).

In fact, you can’t transfer any Switch game files to a microSD card — whether that’s downloaded games or save data. While playing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, we tried to save the game directly to the microSD card we had in the system, but that option wasn’t available. Many cartridge-based platforms put save data on the game cartridge itself, not the console’s internal storage. Not so with the Switch — all saves live only in the system’s built-in flash memory.

Under the Data Management section of the Switch’s system settings, there’s a “manage save data/screenshots” option. But when you click on it, the only thing you can do with save games is delete them — there’s no option to move them to the microSD card or other external storage. The Switch does let you choose individual games, and then asks whether you want to erase data for just one user or for every profile on the console.

The Switch’s microSD card slot is hidden behind the Switch’s kickstand. The console is compatible with microSDHC cards and microSDXC cards, with sizes up to a theoretical maximum of 2 TB. That’s a good thing, since the Switch’s internal storage offers just 32 GB of space — less than 26 GB of which is available to users.

---

quote:

---

Having said that, this is a problem for a number of reasons. For one thing, it means you can’t use the same save files between multiple Switch consoles, or bring your save games over to a friend’s house. And if your Switch dies, or is lost or stolen, poof — all of your progress is gone forever. This isn’t the case on the Nintendo 3DS, Wii or Wii U, all of which allow you to copy save games to an SD card or USB storage.

---

quote:

---

When you click on Manage Screenshots in the Switch settings, you have a lot more options. You can set whether the Switch saves screenshots to internal storage or directly to the microSD card. In addition, you can copy images from one area to the other. It’s all the functionality you would want with save games, in fact.

---

quote:

---

As for games themselves, eShop purchases seem to download to the microSD card, if one is available, by default. But here’s the thing: The Switch does not explicitly tell you where it is sending a game, and users cannot choose whether the internal storage or the microSD card is the primary download location. It was only when perusing the system settings that we realized that Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove, which we purchased from the Switch eShop, had automatically been downloaded to the SD card rather than the built-in storage.

---

quote:

---

This all feels like Nintendo trying to have its cake and eat it too. The company has a history of designing its operating systems with kid gloves, a philosophy employed in an effort to ensure that casual players can use Nintendo platforms without having to think too much. And indeed, people shouldn’t have to get into the nitty-gritty of managing save files and free space if they don’t want to.

However, this attempt at offering the best of both worlds seems half-baked. Nintendo allows players to do whatever they want with screenshots, while keeping all the important stuff — save files and installed games — locked away. It’s strange: The Switch offers some pretty granular management tools, but stops short of giving users the keys to the console. And when the limitations lead to situations like being unable to copy save data to, say, a microSD card or USB flash drive, it’s frustrating.

There’s also no word on whether you can take a microSD card with games on it, pop it into another Switch console, and start playing as long as you log in with your Nintendo Account. We don’t currently have access to more than one Switch, so we’ve been unable to test that, but we’ll update this article once we do.

---

quote:

---

Update: A Nintendo representative simply confirmed the Switch situation to Polygon, saying, “At this time, it is not possible to transfer save data from one Nintendo Switch system to another.” The spokesperson provided no further information.

---

well they still say i'll get it today, but I work in logistics so while I am in awe of amazon logistics (and airport logistics, those guys earn their money)I just don't see that being possible. good chance i'll be able to pick it up at the UPS center, but that's fricking obnoxious.

Zelda has been delivered, but waiting on Switch.

Is Amazon Logistics delivering it? They are fricking terrible. I always have problems with their delivery (wrong address, not knocking and saying I'm not home, etc.) Google them and you'll be hard to find anything positive about the service.

Honestly I don't even see the need for the pro controller. The joycons with the attachment that comes in the box is basically the exact same thing. Feels great in my hands at least.

So that's not happening until tonight?

You can play your games on other machines, but can't take your save data

quote:

---

When you sign in with your Nintendo Account to a Switch, that system automatically becomes the active console tied to your account. In order to play your eShop games on a different Switch, you must first deactivate your existing console before you can sign in with your Nintendo Account on the second Switch and activate it as the new primary console. Once you’ve deactivated a Switch, your games will no longer be playable on that console — digital purchases are only accessible from the active Switch, and you’re only allowed to have one of those linked to your Nintendo Account at a time.

---

quote:

---

To deactivate a Switch, you open up the eShop and head to the Account Information for your Nintendo Account. You can only deactivate a Switch from this settings page on the console, so if you don’t have access to your active console — say you sold your Switch to a friend but forgot to deactivate it first — you’ll have to contact Nintendo for help.

---

quote:

---

The Nintendo Switch, however, doesn’t currently offer cloud storage for save games — or, in fact, any way to move them off the console they were created on. That immediately makes the Switch’s migration ability much less useful.

Say you bought The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild from the eShop and played it for 30 hours, and then your Switch got stolen. You’d have to call Nintendo to have the company deactivate your dearly departed Switch. Then, if you signed in with your Nintendo Account on a new Switch, you’d be able to redownload the game from the eShop. But you’d have to start your playthrough from scratch.

---

Floating around on neogaf, the insignia case for the switch is pretty bad design fail.