Update Nintendo Switch Games: A Quick Guide

Nov 3, 2025 by Admin 44 views

Keeping your games up-to-date on your Nintendo Switch is super important for a bunch of reasons! You'll get access to new features, bug fixes, and sometimes even entirely new content that can seriously enhance your gaming experience. Plus, updates ensure everything runs smoothly and you're not missing out on the latest improvements. So, let’s dive into how you can keep your Nintendo Switch games updated and ready to roll.

Why Updating Your Games Matters

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of updating, let's chat about why it's worth your time. Game updates aren’t just about adding new bells and whistles; they’re about making your gaming experience better overall. Here’s the scoop:

Bug Fixes: Developers are constantly working to squash bugs that can cause glitches or crashes. Updates often include fixes that make your games more stable and enjoyable.
New Features and Content: Game developers often roll out new features, characters, levels, and items through updates. Keeping your games updated means you get to experience all the latest goodies.
Performance Improvements: Updates can optimize the game's performance, leading to smoother gameplay and better graphics.
Security Patches: Online games especially benefit from updates that patch security vulnerabilities, keeping your account and data safe.
Compatibility: Sometimes, updates are necessary to ensure your game is compatible with the latest system software on your Nintendo Switch.

So, all in all, updating your games is a win-win! Now that you know why it matters, let’s get to the how-to.

Automatic Updates: The Easiest Way

The Nintendo Switch is designed to make your life easy, and that includes automatically updating your games. Here’s how to make sure automatic updates are enabled:

Head to System Settings: From the home menu, scroll to the bottom and select “System Settings.” It’s the gear icon – you can’t miss it!
Navigate to System: In the System Settings menu, scroll down until you see “System” and select it.
Enable Auto-Updates: Look for the “Automatically Update Software” option. Make sure it’s toggled on. If it’s grayed out, tap it to enable it.

With this setting enabled, your Nintendo Switch will automatically download and install updates for your games when the console is connected to the internet and in sleep mode. This way, you can usually just pick up your Switch and start playing without having to wait for updates to download.

Important Note: For automatic updates to work, your console needs to be connected to the internet. Also, make sure you have enough free space on your system memory or microSD card for the updates. Nobody wants to run out of space mid-update!

Manual Updates: When You Need to Take Control

Sometimes, you might want to manually check for updates. Maybe you just bought a new game, or you haven’t played a particular title in a while. Here’s how to manually update your games:

Highlight the Game: From the home menu, find the game you want to update. Highlight it by selecting it, but don’t launch it.
Press the Plus or Minus Button: With the game highlighted, press the “+” or “-” button on your Joy-Con or Pro Controller. This will open the game’s options menu.
Select Software Update: In the options menu, scroll down until you see “Software Update” and select it.
Check for Update: Choose “Via the Internet.” Your Nintendo Switch will then connect to the internet and check for any available updates.
Download and Install: If an update is available, your Switch will automatically download and install it. You might need to agree to some terms and conditions, so keep an eye on the screen.

Manual updates are super handy when you want to make sure a game is up-to-date before you start playing. It’s also a good way to check for updates if you’ve disabled automatic updates for some reason.

Troubleshooting Update Issues

Even with automatic and manual updates, you might run into a few hiccups. Here are some common issues and how to troubleshoot them:

Not Enough Space: If you don’t have enough free space on your system memory or microSD card, you won’t be able to download and install updates. To fix this, delete any games, screenshots, or videos you no longer need. You can also move games from your system memory to your microSD card to free up space.
Internet Connection Problems: A stable internet connection is essential for downloading updates. If you’re having trouble, try restarting your router and Nintendo Switch. You can also check your internet connection in the System Settings menu under “Internet.”
Update Servers Unavailable: Occasionally, Nintendo’s update servers might be temporarily unavailable due to maintenance or high traffic. If this happens, just wait a while and try again later.
Corrupted Data: If an update fails to install correctly, it could be due to corrupted data. In this case, you can try deleting the game and redownloading it from the Nintendo eShop. This will ensure you have a fresh, uncorrupted copy of the game.
System Software Issues: Sometimes, the problem might be with your Nintendo Switch’s system software. Make sure your console is running the latest version of the system software by checking for updates in the System Settings menu under “System.”

If you’ve tried all these troubleshooting steps and you’re still having trouble updating your games, you can reach out to Nintendo Support for assistance. They’re usually pretty helpful and can provide more specific guidance.

Managing Storage for Game Updates

Storage can be a real headache, especially if you have a lot of games. Here’s how to manage your storage so you can keep your games updated without constantly running out of space:

Use a MicroSD Card: Investing in a high-capacity microSD card is one of the best things you can do for your Nintendo Switch. This will give you plenty of room to store your games, updates, and other content. Make sure to get a reputable brand and a card that’s specifically designed for gaming.
Archive Games You Don’t Play: If you have games you don’t play very often, you can archive them. Archiving removes the game data from your system, but it keeps the game icon on your home menu. When you want to play the game again, you can simply redownload it from the Nintendo eShop.
Delete Unnecessary Data: Go through your screenshots and videos and delete anything you don’t need. These files can take up a surprising amount of space, especially if you record a lot of gameplay.
Move Games to MicroSD Card: If you have games stored on your system memory, you can move them to your microSD card to free up space. To do this, go to System Settings > Data Management > Move Data Between System / microSD Card.

By managing your storage effectively, you can avoid the frustration of running out of space and ensure your games stay up-to-date.

Staying Informed About Game Updates

Want to stay in the loop about the latest game updates? Here are a few tips:

Follow Developers on Social Media: Many game developers announce updates on their social media channels, such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Following them will help you stay informed about upcoming changes and new content.
Check Nintendo News: The Nintendo Switch has a built-in news app that often features announcements about game updates. Check it regularly to see what’s new.
Visit Gaming Websites and Forums: Gaming websites and forums are great resources for finding out about game updates. Check out sites like IGN, GameSpot, and Reddit to stay informed.
Subscribe to Newsletters: Some game developers and publishers offer newsletters that provide updates and announcements. Subscribe to these newsletters to get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox.

By staying informed, you’ll be among the first to know about new updates and features, so you can jump right in and enjoy the latest improvements.

Conclusion

So there you have it, folks! Keeping your Nintendo Switch games updated is a breeze once you know the ropes. Whether you prefer automatic updates or manual checks, following these steps will ensure you’re always playing the latest and greatest versions of your favorite games. Happy gaming, and may your Switch always be up-to-date!