Digital video game storage has become somewhat of a problem over the last few console generations. Games keep getting bigger, while the storage space remains about the same. 

When it comes to my gaming PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), I have a two TB (terabyte) hard drive dedicated to only games. I mostly play smaller games on PC, so storage has never really been an issue there.

Switch Storage

Compared to other consoles, the Nintendo Switch has basically no “native” storage space at 32 gigabytes. However, most of my Nintendo Switch games require less than one gigabyte of storage. Still, there are a few games (especially digital versions) that require much more storage space. I have even seen physical games for the Switch that have a disclaimer on their packaging requiring extra storage.

The Nintendo Switch features the most simple and least costly way to expand its storage capacity. All you have to do is purchase a MicroSD card and pop it in right under the Switch’s kickstand — no tools needed.

Xbox One & PlayStation 4 (Previous Generation)

When it comes to the more technologically advanced consoles, Xbox and PlayStation, that’s where the storage dilemma is more prevalent. My base PlayStation 4 came with 500 GB of storage, meaning I only had room for one to two BIG GAMES*, and many smaller games.

*BIG GAMES = 100+ GB of storage

After upgrading to a PlayStation 4 Pro (Spider-Man Edition), I was overjoyed to be given double the amount of storage space (1TB). I quickly filled it up, but was able to now have three to four BIG GAMES*. During the PlayStation 4 generation there were options for adding both internal and external storage, but I never attempted either. I continued to focus on a few BIG GAMES* at a time, moving other games on and off of the console.

PlayStation 5 & Xbox Series X|S (Next Generation)

Moving on to the next generation (PS5 and Xbox Series X|S), we’re starting off with 1 TB on most models — there are certain 500 GB models. The problem is that some medium-sized games are now larger, even though I have found certain PS5 versions of games to take up less space than their PS4 counterparts — this is mostly the case in smaller to medium-sized games.

Anti-Prime Day

Ever since I picked up the PlayStation 5, my approach has always been a constant game of musical chairs when it comes to my current lineup of games. With fast internet speeds this isn’t as inconvenient as it has been in the past. However, there are many people that do not have access to fast internet speeds. Downloading a game can take a full day, even a week — this is still the case with my PlayStation 4, since it is not wired in and far away from the router.

During Amazon Prime day, some PS5 specific SSDs were on sale. I also realized there was an “anti-Prime day” sale going on at various stores. Lucky for me, I had a $20 Best Buy member coupon I had been sitting on. I found the 2TB SSD I wanted for my PS5 was on sale for $100, meaning $80 with my certificate. Now that’s value!

Not only was this a great deal, but it was so simple to install. Ok, not as simple as sliding in a MicroSD card, but with the help of one screwdriver (or possibly two screwdrivers), I was able to quickly install this second SSD.

The PS5 updated to add this SSD as a storage unit, and I simply transferred some of my larger games onto it. I now have so much free space. I no longer start sweating when I check on my PS5 storage capacity. So long “Not Enough Storage” messages any time I download a new game.

I can now keep my “on-deck games**” on my PS5 ready to play. I can also have multiple online games downloaded. I redownloaded Fortnite and Overwatch 2 just because I can — I don’t plan on playing them much but I like the idea of having them there.

**On-deck game – a game I’m holding out on playing next, once I’m done with whatever game
is currently taking up most of my time. (recent example: Horizon Forbidden West)

After years of moving games on and off my consoles, it’s a great feeling to not really think about how much space each game on my console takes up. It’s great to have choices. Until this upgrade, I didn’t really think of how big of a problem storage space was on my PS5, I just deleted certain games and moved on.

After living the good life for over a month, I can no longer imagine living the way I did before. Imagine having to pick and choose what games to keep on my PlayStation 5 like a game of Survivor. I also hope not to take advantage of all of this extra space. I should always have over 1 TB of space open on my PlayStation 5 — at least until games get to 500+ GB.