Do physical and digital Nintendo Switch games share the same save file?

Your data is stored on the console

Unlike other Nintendo systems, your game save data for the Switch is stored on the console's system memory, not on the cartridge. Even if you buy the digital version and later archive or delete the game from your console, your game saves will be preserved.

The save data is also generally associated with the individual account, so as long as you're signing in as the same user, you should have access to the save data. In other words, if a user account is deleted, all the save data is deleted too — and can't be recovered.

Perks of physical games

If you're into building a credible bookshelf of video games, then you'll definitely want to buy the physical cartridges. You also get all these great benefits of physical games. For example, you don't have to wait for it to download before playing, and you can borrow and lend games with friends and siblings. Then, when you're ready for your next awesome Nintendo Switch game, you can sell or trade-in games you're not playing anymore.

Plus, your microSD card can be smaller since it's holding only game save data instead of the entire game — that could save a bit of money. Still, it may even out in the end since you'll probably want the best Nintendo Switch game case we could find for your budding game collection.

Perks of digital games

If you're trying to save space in your home, consider buying the digital version instead. Digital games might be for you if you don't want to worry about games getting lost or destroyed, or having cartridge cases or other physical storage.

If you're worried about the environment and plastic waste, digital games don't generate any of that. If digital calls to you, we recommend a high-capacity microSD card like the Samsung EVO Plus 256GB.

Either way, you're good to go

Whether you decide to buy the physical or digital game or start with one and decide to move to the other, you should be able to continue with your game save data from either version of the game. If you really want to be sure, you can enable the Save Data Cloud option on your Switch and check for the game in the backup list.