Assassin’s Creed Shadows Switch 2 File Size And Storage Planning

Summary:

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a huge open world adventure, so the moment a precise file size appeared for Nintendo Switch 2, everyone with a packed library started doing mental math. The Switch 2 version weighs in at around 62.8 GB, which is a serious chunk of storage but still far smaller than the PS5, Xbox Series and PC builds. That immediately raises questions. How did Ubisoft cut it down that far without turning the game into a shadow of itself, and what does that size really mean once you factor in updates, DLC and screenshots living on the same system?

Here we walk through what the confirmed numbers look like on each platform and how those figures fit inside the 256 GB internal storage of Nintendo Switch 2. We talk about how many similar games you can realistically keep installed, when a microSD Express card stops being a luxury and starts feeling essential, and how to prepare before Assassin’s Creed Shadows lands on Switch 2 on 2 December. By the end, you know exactly what that 62.765 GB download means for your real life storage choices and how to avoid the dreaded moment where you are forced to delete something you still love playing.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows on Nintendo Switch 2 in context

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is not a small side project that quietly slipped onto Nintendo hardware. It is the fourteenth mainline Assassin’s Creed entry, built on Ubisoft’s Anvil engine, and it originally arrived on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series and PC earlier in 2025 before making the jump to Nintendo Switch 2 in December. Set in feudal Japan and built as a full scale action role playing experience, it carries the same dense cities, countryside, combat systems and cinematic storytelling that players on other platforms already know. That is important, because the Switch 2 version is not framed as a cut down cloud edition or an experimental streaming approach. Instead, it is positioned as a native port that runs directly on Nintendo’s hybrid hardware, which already supports a growing list of demanding AAA games. When we look at the file size, we are really asking how all of that world building, voice work and data rich detail has been squeezed into a handheld friendly footprint without losing its identity.

How the Switch 2 release fits into the modern Assassin’s Creed series

In the broader timeline of Assassin’s Creed, Shadows sits in the modern RPG era that began with Origins and continued through Odyssey and Valhalla, but it adds a sharper focus on dual protagonists and stealth. The Switch 2 port arrives months after the original release on other systems, which means it benefits from patches, balance tweaks and performance tuning that early adopters have already tested. For Nintendo players, this is more than a one off experiment. Ubisoft has a history of supporting Nintendo platforms, and Switch 2 has already been used as a target for other ambitious ports, so Shadows helps confirm that this partnership extends to the latest hardware generation. From a storage point of view, that matters. As more big Ubisoft projects arrive, each with heavy audio and texture budgets, Switch 2 owners need a realistic idea of what their internal drive can handle and where Assassin’s Creed Shadows sits among the largest games they might want to keep installed at the same time.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows file size on Nintendo Switch 2 explained

The headline number that set everyone talking is simple: Assassin’s Creed Shadows is listed at 62.765 GB on Nintendo Switch 2. That figure comes from official storefront data and has been repeated in reporting that compares platforms side by side. On paper, that means roughly a quarter of the usable space on a fresh Switch 2 install is eaten by a single game once you account for system reservation and the way storage is measured. In practice, the exact space you see in your own library will shift a little, since day one patches, language packs and optional DLC can nudge totals up over time. Even so, that 62.7 GB baseline gives us a solid starting point. It is big enough that you cannot install Shadows on a system that is already full of other large releases without doing some housekeeping, but it is still small enough that a well managed Switch 2 can carry Shadows alongside multiple other modern releases before you absolutely run out of room.

File size comparison with PS5, Xbox Series and PC versions

The really striking part is what happens when we line the Switch 2 build up against other platforms. Reports put the PS5 version at about 102.614 GB, the Xbox Series release at around 133.88 GB, and the PC build at roughly 115 GB. Those figures show that, in raw terms, the Switch 2 download is more than 40 percent smaller than the PS5 version and well over 50 percent smaller than the Xbox build. That is not a tiny tweak. It is a huge reduction that raises eyebrows if you are used to thinking of portables as struggling under the weight of cross platform games. Instead of being the biggest, the Switch 2 package is actually the leanest of the bunch. For anyone choosing between platforms, it also means that storage planning feels very different. A PS5 or Xbox user might be forced to delete two mid sized games just to make room. On Switch 2, the sacrifice is still real, but the bite is noticeably softer, especially if you have already invested in expanded storage.

Why the Switch 2 build is significantly smaller than other platforms

So how did Ubisoft squeeze such a demanding game into a much smaller footprint on Nintendo hardware without turning it into a lesser experience in every scene? While the studio has not published a technical white paper for file size alone, we can make some grounded observations based on how modern ports usually work. First, compression tools and data management techniques have become extremely good at stripping out wasted space, especially for audio and texture data. Switch 2’s storage pipeline and modern compression formats allow developers to pack assets tightly while still streaming them quickly enough for open world play. Second, developers can tailor texture resolutions, audio channel counts and optional language packs per platform. That means a Switch 2 build can prioritise what matters most on a 1080p handheld or 4K docked screen without shipping every single ultra high resolution asset intended for top end PCs. The end result is a package that stays faithful to the spirit of Shadows while being trimmed in places that most players will never consciously notice.

What file size can and cannot tell us about performance

It is tempting to treat file size like a direct rating of visual quality or performance, but that is not how modern games work. A bigger download does not automatically mean a sharper image, and a smaller package does not guarantee worse graphics. File size mainly reflects how many assets are included and how efficiently they are stored. Two games can look similar on screen while having wildly different footprints because one uses heavier multi language audio, more cinematics, or lower compression. The Switch 2 build of Assassin’s Creed Shadows being smaller than its PS5 or PC cousins does not tell us the exact resolution or frame rate targets in each scenario. Those metrics are defined by hardware capabilities and rendering choices. What file size does tell us is how much space you need to allocate and how aggressively the developers chased down redundant or bloated data. When we plan storage, we should treat that 62.7 GB figure as a practical requirement, not a direct verdict on how “next gen” the game looks on each platform.

What the file size means for Nintendo Switch 2 internal storage

Nintendo Switch 2 ships with 256 GB of internal storage, a huge step up from the original Switch models but still finite once big releases begin to pile up. A portion of that capacity is reserved for system software, leaving something in the ballpark of 230 to 249 GB for games and captures depending on how you measure. Dropping Assassin’s Creed Shadows onto that drive reserves around a quarter of your usable space for one game. Add a couple of similarly large titles and you can see how quickly things close in, especially if you also keep legacy Switch favourites installed. The good news is that Switch 2 storage runs on fast UFS technology and is designed to be expanded with microSD Express cards, so you are not locked into the built in space forever. Still, looking at Shadows’ file size makes it clear that living only on internal storage is going to feel tight for anyone who regularly buys large third party releases alongside Nintendo’s own heavy hitters.

Planning storage with microSD Express cards for large games

Because Assassin’s Creed Shadows is just one of many 50 GB plus releases arriving on Switch 2, planning ahead with microSD Express is almost a necessity rather than a nice extra. Nintendo has confirmed that Switch 2 supports this newer standard, which offers much higher read and write speeds than older microSD formats and is specifically intended for running games rather than just holding screenshots or videos. Third party manufacturers are already selling 256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB cards aimed at Switch 2 owners, turning that original 256 GB system capacity into something far more flexible. If you install Shadows to internal storage and use a microSD Express card for other large titles, you can balance performance and capacity in a way that avoids constant uninstalling. It is a bit like adding a second bookshelf when your first one starts overflowing. Instead of giving up books you love, you simply give them somewhere else to live while keeping everything within easy reach.

Simple strategies to keep enough free space for future releases

Practical storage planning does not have to be stressful, even with games as large as Assassin’s Creed Shadows. A few small habits go a long way. One helpful approach is to keep a rotating library of “current favourites” installed and move everything else off your main drive when you know you will not touch it for a while. Another trick is to tidy up screenshots and video clips every few months, since long capture sessions can quietly eat several gigabytes you would rather spend on new releases. You can also keep big single player games on your fastest storage and shift smaller indies or retro downloads to whichever option has space left. By thinking of your Switch 2 like a living shelf instead of a fixed museum, you stay ready for surprises. When the next huge AAA game appears with its own hefty file size, you will not be stuck wondering what to delete in a panic just to start the download.

Digital and physical purchase considerations for Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Storage planning looks slightly different depending on whether you pick up Assassin’s Creed Shadows digitally or in a physical box. On Switch 2, physical releases now sometimes take the form of game key cards, where the package contains a download key instead of data stored on the cart itself. That approach is designed to handle modern file sizes that outgrow traditional cartridge capacities, but it also means the storage burden still lands fully on your internal drive or microSD Express card. Even for games that ship partly on cart, updates and expansions can quickly grow beyond the original footprint. Digital purchases, on the other hand, spare you a trip to the store and remove any risk of misplacing a card, but they also mean every gigabyte has to be found inside your own hardware. With a 62.7 GB download, Shadows will feel substantial either way, so the choice mainly comes down to whether you value shelf presence and resell potential or instant access and a cleaner physical setup around your dock.

Getting your Nintendo Switch 2 ready before Assassin’s Creed Shadows launch

The smartest time to think about storage is before a giant download appears in your queue, not after. If you know you want Assassin’s Creed Shadows on launch day, it is worth taking an evening beforehand to audit your library. Check how much free space is currently available, identify any games you finished long ago but never uninstalled, and decide whether now is the moment to invest in a microSD Express card if you have been putting it off. You can also turn auto capture settings down from “everything” to something more selective if you tend to record entire play sessions by accident. When 2 December arrives and the Switch 2 version of Shadows unlocks, you will thank yourself for having a clear runway. Instead of juggling deletions and worrying about whether you have space left for the next big release, you will kick off the download knowing exactly where it will live and how it fits into your long term plans for the system.

Conclusion

Assassin’s Creed Shadows landing on Nintendo Switch 2 at around 62.8 GB is a reminder of how ambitious modern games have become and how carefully we need to treat storage on a hybrid console. The Switch 2 version manages to stay much smaller than its PS5, Xbox and PC siblings while still delivering a fully fledged open world adventure, but it is large enough that you cannot ignore the numbers if your library is already crowded. By understanding how that file size compares across platforms, how it fits into the 256 GB internal drive and how microSD Express cards can relieve the pressure, we can turn a potential headache into a quick bit of planning. With a little preparation, Assassin’s Creed Shadows becomes just another highlight in a healthy Switch 2 library instead of the game that forced you to delete half your favourites in frustration.

FAQs

How big is Assassin’s Creed Shadows on Nintendo Switch 2?
- The Nintendo Switch 2 version of Assassin’s Creed Shadows is listed at roughly 62.765 GB. The exact figure you see on your system may vary slightly once patches and any optional language packs are applied, but you should plan for just over 62 GB of space to be safe before starting the download.
How does the Switch 2 file size compare to PS5, Xbox and PC?
- On PS5 the game is reported at about 102.614 GB, on Xbox Series around 133.88 GB and on PC roughly 115 GB. That means the Switch 2 build is more than 40 percent smaller than the PS5 version and even further below the Xbox and PC sizes, which makes a big difference when you are working with a 256 GB internal drive.
Is 256 GB of Switch 2 internal storage enough for Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
- Yes, the standard 256 GB internal storage can easily hold Assassin’s Creed Shadows alongside several other large releases, but you will need to manage space carefully. Because the system reserves part of that storage for its own software, a single 62.7 GB game takes up a noticeable share, so many players will eventually want a microSD Express card to avoid constant uninstalling.
Do I need a microSD Express card specifically for Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
- You do not strictly need a microSD Express card just to install Assassin’s Creed Shadows, but having one makes life easier if you also play other large AAA games. These cards expand your capacity and keep load times snappy, letting you store Shadows next to other big releases without regularly deleting and redownloading games you still enjoy.
Should I buy Assassin’s Creed Shadows physically or digitally on Switch 2?
- Both options work well, so the choice depends on your preferences. Digital purchases keep everything in one place on your system and remove the risk of losing a card, while physical copies appeal to collectors and sometimes use game key cards that still require a full download. In both cases the storage hit is similar for a 62.7 GB game, so it is mainly about convenience and how you like to own your games.