Highlights
- Final Fantasy XIV's reported 117 GB download would set a new Switch 2 record.
- Future expansions will continue to increase the game's storage requirements.
- Subscription fees and costly MicroSD Express cards add to the overall investment.
Final Fantasy XIV Online is bringing one of the biggest storage demands yet to Nintendo Switch 2. Square Enix will release the MMORPG on Aug 4, 2026, while video game collector and content creator @Stealth40k reported on X that the Switch 2 version requires 117 GB of storage.
If accurate, it would occupy nearly 46% of the console's 256 GB internal storage, making it the largest standalone Switch 2 game to date. The release underscores a growing challenge for Switch 2 owners as modern AAA games continue to increase in size.
Final Fantasy XIV's Expanding Content Leaves Little Free Space
The reported install size is larger than Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, which requires just over 102 GB on Switch 2. The only bigger download is the Kingdom Hearts Collection [I-III] at 131 GB, though that package includes multiple games.
Final Fantasy XIV's size reflects years of ongoing updates. Voiced cutscenes, high-resolution textures, and expansions such as Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail have steadily increased its footprint. Square Enix also uses a unified installer, meaning the Starter, Complete, and Complete Collector's Editions all require the same amount of storage.
The game is expected to grow further. The FINAL FANTASY XIV: Evercold expansion arrives in January 2027 with two jobs, a new world, and the Evolved Mode combat system.
According to the official website, Final Fantasy XIV Online has attracted more than 30M players worldwide and has received over 200 industry awards.
Storage Upgrades and Subscriptions Add to the Cost
Players can expand capacity with MicroSD Express cards, but prices remain high amid ongoing memory supply constraints. Nintendo has also not indicated that a higher-capacity Switch 2 model is on the way.
The Switch 2 version also requires a monthly subscription after an optional free trial. Existing Xbox, PlayStation, and PC players can carry over their progression, but they must purchase a separate Switch 2 subscription.
For players who want to explore Eorzea on a handheld, the port offers new flexibility. At the same time, its launch highlights how live service games are beginning to test the storage limits of Nintendo's latest console.
