Halloween DealsAmazon USHalloween week deals: useful picks before month-endAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsPC HealthRecommendedCrashes, freezes, slowdowns? Check your PC nowSpot repairable issues before they interrupt work.Check PCHalloween DealsAmazon USOctober picks are moving - compare before checkoutAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
FREEDOM251

Freedom251 › Blog › game storage

The Crew Motorfest on Switch 2: Download Size, Storage Needs, and microSD Express Setup

By Freedom251 Team · · 11 min read

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

The Crew Motorfest is listed at 58.5 GB on Nintendo’s US Nintendo eShop for Switch 2. You do not automatically need an SD card: download it to the console’s internal storage if you have enough free space. Switch 2 has 256 GB of built-in storage, but some of that is reserved for system use and any installed games, updates, captures, or other data reduce what remains.

If internal space is insufficient, use a microSD Express card. A standard microSD card cannot store or load Switch 2 game software. The first time you use an Express card, Switch 2 requires an internet system update. The game also requires an internet connection to play, so a completed download does not make it an offline title.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

How much storage does The Crew Motorfest need on Switch 2?

Nintendo’s current US eShop listing gives The Crew Motorfest a 58.5 GB game size. That is the figure to use when checking whether your console can download the game, and it was listed by Nintendo on October 13, 2026. You can verify the live figure on the Nintendo Switch 2 product page before downloading, because listings and software requirements can change.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

The 58.5 GB number is the listed game file size, not a guarantee that every future update, downloadable-content package, or final occupied-space figure will remain identical. Treat it as the current requirement shown for the digital Switch 2 edition. Nintendo advises checking the individual eShop listing or the game packaging for the applicable storage requirement rather than relying on a generic figure.

#1 Best Overall
Samsung microSD Express Card – 256GB for Nintendo Switch™ 2
  • Nintendo Switch 2 uses a new standard of expandable memory card called microSD Express (sold separately). This kind of memory card is needed for faster access speeds and to ensure games will run smoothly.
  • Please note: Nintendo Switch 2 is only compatible with microSD Express cards. If the microSD cards you have used for Nintendo Switch do not support microSD Express standards, you cannot use them with Nintendo Switch 2.

What 58.5 GB means in practice

  • You need at least enough free space for the current download shown by Nintendo.
  • The console may need additional room for updates or downloadable content later; Nintendo’s listing does not establish a fixed total for all future data.
  • Your available space is the free capacity remaining after system software and anything already installed, not the console’s advertised total.

For that reason, do not compare 58.5 GB directly with 256 GB and assume the difference is entirely available. The usable amount is displayed by your own console and changes as you add or delete software.

Do you need an SD card for this game?

No, not if your Switch 2 has sufficient free internal storage. Nintendo’s Switch 2 data-management guidance says there are currently no individual games that require additional storage simply to play. The decision is therefore based on your free space and future library, not on a rule that makes a card mandatory for The Crew Motorfest.

Switch 2 provides 256 GB of internal storage, with some capacity reserved for system use. A console that has never been used will show less available space than 256 GB, and an already-used console may have substantially less after other games, updates, screenshots, videos, and system data are counted. Nintendo explains the capacity and storage behavior in its Switch 2 Data Management FAQ.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

When internal storage is the sensible choice

  • You can see enough free space in Data Management for the current 58.5 GB listing.
  • You do not expect to install several other large digital games soon.
  • You want to avoid buying or configuring additional hardware.

When expansion is worthwhile

  • Your free internal space is below the eShop requirement.
  • You want room for updates, downloadable content, or a larger digital library.
  • You already own a compatible microSD Express card and prefer to keep internal storage available.

A card is an expansion option, not a game-specific requirement. Nintendo’s support page on insufficient space explains that you can delete or archive content, or expand storage with a compatible Express card: Not Enough Space to Download Digital Content on Nintendo Switch 2.

Internal storage versus microSD Express

There are two valid places for downloaded Switch 2 software: the console’s internal storage and a microSD Express card. The table below separates what is established for each option.

Rank #2
SANDISK 512GB microSD Express Card | Works with Nintendo-Switch 2, Up to 880MB/s Read Speeds, Up to 650MB/s Write Speeds, U3, C10 - SDSQXFN-512G-GN4NN
  • NEXT GEN GAMING: Works with Nintendo Switch 2.
  • READY FOR TOMORROW. Ready for future products with a PCIe-NVMe interface; performs at UHS-I speeds with microSD UHS-I and UHS-II devices.
  • EXPONENTIALLY FASTER PERFORMANCE. Up to 4.4 times faster transfer speeds than our fastest microSD UHS-I cards [9]. Transfer a 2-hour HD movie in less than 3.5 seconds [1]; save up to 2.8 minutes transferring 60 minutes of 4K UHD video [4] shot at 30 fps when paired with the SanDisk PRO-READER SD Express Dual Card (sold separately) [9]
  • DURABILITY YOU CAN COUNT ON: Cards are waterproof, temperature-proof, humidity-proof, drop-proof, shock-proof, magnetic-proof, x-ray proof, and wear-out proof [5].
  • HEAT MANAGEMENT REIMAGINED. SanDisk ThermAdapt helps keep devices from overheating with a specially designed enclosure and controller that uses dynamic adaptive thermal management.
Storage option What it can do What to check
Switch 2 internal storage Can hold the game, updates, DLC, and save data, provided enough free capacity remains. The console’s current free-space figure; 256 GB is the total advertised capacity and includes space reserved for system use.
microSD Express Can expand space for downloaded software, updates, and DLC. The card must be labeled microSD Express and must be initialized after the required system update.
Standard microSD Can be used on Switch 2 to load screenshots and videos previously captured on a standard card. It is not supported for saving or loading Switch 2 game software.

Nintendo’s compatibility guidance is explicit: “Nintendo Switch 2 is only compatible with microSD Express cards” for Switch 2 game storage. See the full microSD Card and microSD Express Card Compatibility page for the distinction between Express and standard cards.

What kind of SD card works?

Buy a card identified as microSD Express. The Express designation is the important compatibility mark; a card that is merely microSD, microSDHC, or microSDXC is not a substitute for Switch 2 game storage unless it also meets the Express requirement.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Nintendo says Switch 2 supports microSD Express cards up to 2 TB. No particular capacity is required by the 58.5 GB listing. Choose capacity according to your wider library and budget rather than assuming that this one game dictates a specific card size.

Why an old Switch card may not work

A standard microSD card used in an original Nintendo Switch may contain screenshots, videos, or other files, but it cannot be used to store or load Switch 2 game software. Inserting that card does not turn it into an Express card, and moving the game files onto it will not make them usable. Confirm the label and specifications before purchase.

First-use requirement

The first time a microSD Express card is used with Switch 2, Nintendo requires an internet system update. Plan to connect the console to the internet before attempting to use a newly inserted card. This is separate from downloading the game itself.

Rank #3
SUNEAST 1TB microSD Express Memory Card,Compatible with Nintendo-Switch 2 | Up to 900MB/s Read 620MB/s Write, U3 V30 UHS-I A1, High-Speed Storage for Gaming, 4K Video
  • Ultra-Fast Read Speeds — Experience read speeds up to 900 MB/s and write speeds up to 620 MB/s, delivering rapid file transfers and smooth performance for gaming, photography, and 4K video recording.
  • Optimized for Gaming & Devices – Tested with Switch 2 and compatible with laptops, tablets, cameras, and Android devices that support microSD Express or UHS-I. Ideal for expanding storage without lag.
  • 4K Video & High-Resolution Support – Capture and store 4K UHD videos and high-res photos seamlessly thanks to Class 10, U3, V30, and A2 performance ratings.
  • Reliable & Durable Design – Built for long-term use with shockproof, temperature-resistant, waterproof, and X-ray-resistant protection, keeping your data safe wherever you go.
  • Multiple Capacity Options – Available in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB options to suit your storage needs. Note that actual usable storage may be slightly less due to system formatting and a portion reserved for card management functions, which is a standard industry practice to ensure optimal performance and reliability.

Check your free space before buying anything

The most reliable measurement is the free-space figure shown on your own Switch 2. The advertised 256 GB capacity cannot account for reserved system space or content already installed on the console.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
  1. Open the Switch 2 System Settings from the HOME Menu.
  2. Select Data Management.
  3. Review the available internal-storage figure and the space used by software, save data, screenshots, videos, and other categories.
  4. Compare the free figure with the 58.5 GB shown on the current Nintendo eShop listing.
  5. If the available amount is lower, decide whether to archive or delete content, or add a microSD Express card.

The eShop listing is the authoritative place to confirm the game-specific number at the moment you download. Nintendo also places storage information on physical packaging, so check the exact regional package if you buy a retail copy.

How to download the digital edition

Once your free-space decision is made, the download process is ordinary eShop installation. The sequence below keeps the storage check before a large download begins.

  1. Connect Switch 2 to a stable internet connection and install any pending console update.
  2. Open Nintendo eShop and select the account that will purchase or redeem the game.
  3. Open the current The Crew Motorfest listing for Nintendo Switch 2.
  4. Confirm that the listing identifies the Switch 2 version and check the displayed storage requirement.
  5. Purchase or redeem the digital edition, then choose the destination storage if the console presents a choice between internal memory and a microSD Express card.
  6. Keep the console connected until the download and installation finish. A partially downloaded title is not ready to launch.
  7. Start the game and follow any in-game account or connection prompts.

Do not apply a PC requirement to this process. Ubisoft’s store page shows a 40 GB figure in its PC system-requirements section; that number is not the Switch 2 requirement. The Switch 2-specific figure is Nintendo’s 58.5 GB listing: Ubisoft Store product page.

How to install and use a microSD Express card

If Data Management shows that internal storage is insufficient, install the card before starting the game download. Nintendo’s support instructions establish the compatibility and update requirements; menu wording can change with system software, so follow the prompts displayed by your console.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #4
Sale
Lexar 512GB Play PRO Micro SD Express Card, 900MB/s Read, 4K, V30, UHS-I
  • The perfect card for the Nintendo Switch 2 delivers revolutionary performance that is 4x faster than typical UHS-I microSD cards
  • PCIe technology delivers read speeds up to 900MB/s so the game loads faster
  • Write speed up to 600MB/s deliver accelerated download speeds when paired with the Lexar microSD Express card reader
  • Level-up your handheld gaming experience with next-gen tech
  • 1TB microSD Express card offers more space for your favorite games
  1. Power off Switch 2 or use the console’s documented card-insertion procedure.
  2. Insert the microSD Express card into the Switch 2 card slot, taking care not to force it.
  3. Turn on the console and connect it to the internet.
  4. When Switch 2 requests the system update needed for first use of the Express card, accept the update and wait for it to complete.
  5. Allow the console to prepare or format the card when prompted. Formatting removes data already on that card, so copy off anything you need before confirming.
  6. Return to System Settings and Data Management to confirm that the card’s capacity is recognized.
  7. Open the eShop listing, verify the 58.5 GB requirement again, and begin the download.

If the card is not recognized, stop before formatting another card. Check that it is genuinely microSD Express, reseat it with the console powered down, install pending system software, and consult Nintendo’s compatibility page for the supported card behavior.

Where saves are stored

Installing the game on a microSD Express card does not move save data there. Nintendo says Switch 2 save data remains in the console’s system memory and cannot be saved or copied to the Express card. This means removing or replacing a game card does not provide a save-data backup, and a card should not be treated as the location of your progress.

Manage save data separately from downloaded software in the console’s Data Management settings. If you are moving, archiving, or deleting software to make room, read the confirmation screen carefully so you do not remove save data unintentionally.

Online connection and account requirements

Ubisoft’s Switch 2 launch announcement says an online connection is required to play The Crew Motorfest. The announcement covers the Switch 2 release in both physical retail and Nintendo eShop digital formats and gives October 8, 2026, as the launch date: Ubisoft’s Switch 2 release announcement.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Because an internet connection is required for play, do not plan on downloading the game once and then using it as an offline-only title. The connection requirement is separate from storage: having the files installed does not remove the need to connect.

Best Value
Sale
Samsung P9 Express microSDXC 256GB for Nintendo-Switch™ 2 | Express microSD Card for Nintendo-Switch™ 2 (MB MK256T/AM)
  • TRANSFER SPEEDS UP TO 800 MB/S: With sequential read speeds up to 800 MB/s, get into your game up to 4× faster than our standard microSD cards (UHS I)¹.
  • DYNAMIC THERMAL GUARD: Keeps its cool even when the action heats up. Dynamic Thermal Guard helps reduce overheating for fast, smooth gameplay.
  • ALL YOUR GAMES ON ONE TINY CARD: Store all your games and downloadable content (DLCs) with up to 512GB of reliable storage. No deleting. No compromises.
  • 6-PROOF PROTECTION WITH 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY: Built to last, made for peace of mind. Anything can happen when you’re gaming on the go. With 6 types of protection²⁻⁹, the P9 Express can handle it all—helping maintain your game progress.
  • NEXT-GEN AND BACKWARD COMPATIBLE: Your microSD Express card is compatible with Nintendo Switch 2¹⁰ and microSD UHS-I¹¹ devices, including tablets, drones, cameras and more.

Nintendo’s UK product listing additionally identifies a Ubisoft account and a persistent internet connection, and says online multiplayer or features require an applicable platform subscription. Those are UK listing terms, so check the product page for your region before treating the account or subscription wording as universal: Nintendo UK product listing.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Physical edition: does the cartridge avoid storage use?

Ubisoft confirms that Switch 2 received both a physical retail edition and a Nintendo eShop digital edition on October 8, 2026. The available material does not establish whether every physical package contains all game data on the card or requires a download for some content.

Do not buy the physical edition on the assumption that it eliminates storage needs. Check the exact box, regional product listing, and any download notice before purchase. Nintendo specifically directs buyers to the packaging and the individual eShop page for game-specific storage requirements.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

A physical copy can change where the primary game data is read from, but it does not change the online-play requirement described by Ubisoft, nor does it guarantee that updates or additional content will require no storage.

What to do when the download says there is not enough space

Confirm the requirement first

Reopen the current Nintendo eShop listing and compare its displayed requirement with the free-space figure in Data Management. This rules out relying on an old screenshot, an outdated listing, or the PC figure shown on a different product page.

Free internal space without losing saves

  • Review large installed software in Data Management.
  • Archive or delete software you no longer need, using the console’s confirmation screens.
  • Keep in mind that save data is managed separately and remains in system memory.
  • Recheck available space after the operation before restarting the download.

Expand with Express storage

If you want to retain the installed software, use a compatible microSD Express card, complete the first-use system update, and restart the download after Switch 2 recognizes the card. A standard microSD card will not solve a Switch 2 game-storage shortage.

If the card still does not appear

  • Verify the card packaging or manufacturer label says microSD Express.
  • Power down and reseat the card.
  • Connect to the internet and install the required system update.
  • Check whether the card needs to be prepared or formatted by Switch 2.
  • Use Nintendo’s compatibility guidance before attempting repeated formatting or replacing files.

Common storage mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming 256 GB means 256 GB free: system-reserved space and existing content reduce the amount available.
  • Buying a standard microSD card: it cannot store or load Switch 2 game software.
  • Using the PC requirement: the 40 GB number on Ubisoft’s store page belongs to the PC section, not Switch 2.
  • Expecting saves on the Express card: Switch 2 saves remain in system memory.
  • Assuming a physical copy needs no storage: the data included in a particular package is not established universally; inspect the package.
  • Planning offline play after installation: Ubisoft says an online connection is required to play.
  • Choosing a card capacity because one game demands it: Nintendo does not specify a required card size for this title; capacity should reflect your broader library.

A practical decision checklist

  1. Open the live Nintendo Switch 2 eShop listing and note the displayed game size.
  2. Check free internal space under System Settings > Data Management.
  3. If free space covers the listing, download internally unless your library plans favor expansion.
  4. If it does not, archive content or obtain a microSD Express card.
  5. Confirm the card is Express, not merely standard microSD.
  6. Connect to the internet for the card’s first-use system update.
  7. Download the game and allow room for any later updates or DLC as your library grows.
  8. Keep save data in system memory and maintain the internet connection required for play.

Key figures and dates

Item Current figure or requirement Qualification
Switch 2 game listing 58.5 GB Nintendo US eShop listing checked October 13, 2026; future updates or final occupied space may differ.
Switch 2 internal storage 256 GB Nintendo figure; some space is reserved for system use, so it is not the free amount available to downloads.
Maximum supported Express card 2 TB Nintendo Support compatibility guidance; no specific capacity is mandated for this game.
Switch 2 launch date October 8, 2026 Ubisoft announcement covering physical and eShop editions.
Play requirement Online connection required Ubisoft’s Switch 2 announcement; regional account and subscription language may vary.

Bottom line for your setup

Start with the console, not an accessory: check the free-space number in Data Management and compare it with Nintendo’s current 58.5 GB listing. If the space is sufficient, no card is required for this game. If it is not, expand with a microSD Express card, complete the required first-use update, and avoid standard microSD cards for game storage. Keep in mind that saves remain in system memory and that an internet connection is required to play, regardless of whether the game is installed internally, on an Express card, or supplied physically.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

game storagemicroSD ExpressNintendo eShopNintendo Switch 2The Crew Motorfest

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.