Nero Picks Straight answers about the gear a game actually needs.

Kingdom Hearts Collection on Switch 2: do you need a microSD Express card?

Published 2026-09-30 · Facts checked 2026-09-30

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In this guide
  1. Is the game on the cartridge?
  2. How big is the download?
  3. Will it fit on the Switch 2 by itself?
  4. Can you use your old microSD card?
  5. The picks
  6. Who can skip the card
  7. Sources
Short answer
  • The physical copy doesn't hold the games. Square Enix says you need an internet connection and a data download to play it.
  • The final size isn't out yet. Nintendo's store says the download size may not be finalized. Early eShop listings estimated about 131GB.
  • That's more than half of the Switch 2's 256GB. If you already have other games installed, plan on a microSD Express card.
  • Your old Switch microSD card won't work. Switch 2 only takes microSD Express cards for games.
  1. Enough for this collectionSanDisk 256GB microSD Express Card (SDSQXFN-256G-GN4NN)Most people
  2. For a big librarySanDisk 512GB microSD Express Card (SDSQXFN-512G-GN4NN)More room
  3. The game itselfKINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I–III] Amazon Exclusive EditionPre-order

KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I–III] comes out on Switch 2 on October 8. It bundles three collections that cover Kingdom Hearts I through III.

It's also a big download. If you're buying the physical copy, that part is easy to miss.

Is the game on the cartridge?

No. The physical version is a Game-Key Card. The card works as a license, and the games themselves come from a download.

Square Enix's store says it directly: to play the physical version, "an internet connection and additional data download are required."

So buying the box doesn't save you any storage space.

The box is a key, not the game.
The box is a key, not the game.

How big is the download?

Nintendo hasn't listed a final size. Its store page says download size "may not be finalized at time of preorder."

The best number so far comes from eShop listings reported by Nintendo Life in June. They were marked as estimates:

GameEstimated size
KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX54.2GB
KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue26.8GB
KINGDOM HEARTS III + Re Mind (DLC)45.2GB
Whole collectionabout 131GB

Treat these as a rough guide. The final number could go up or down.

Will it fit on the Switch 2 by itself?

It depends on what else you have installed. The Switch 2 has 256GB of internal storage, and part of it is used by the system.

A fresh console has room for it. A console that already has a few large games probably doesn't.

Can you use your old microSD card?

No. Nintendo's support page says Switch 2 is only compatible with microSD Express cards for this. A regular microSD card from the original Switch won't work.

Look for "microSD Express" on the package. A card that only says "microSDXC" or "UHS-I" isn't enough.

The picks

1Enough for this collection

SanDisk 256GB microSD Express Card (SDSQXFN-256G-GN4NN)

Most people

Get this if you want room for the whole collection, with some space left over.

Skip it if you keep several other big games installed at the same time.

Card type
microSD Express
Capacity
256GB
Works with Switch 2
Listed on the product page
Sold by (Sep 30)
Amazon.com

The estimated 131GB fits on this card with room to spare. It's the smallest size that makes sense for this collection.

Check price on Amazon
2For a big library

SanDisk 512GB microSD Express Card (SDSQXFN-512G-GN4NN)

More room

Get this if you plan to keep Kingdom Hearts and other large games installed together.

Skip it if this collection is the only big game you play.

Card type
microSD Express
Capacity
512GB
Works with Switch 2
Listed on the product page
Sold by (Sep 30)
Amazon.com

Same card line, twice the space. If you'd otherwise delete and re-download games, this saves you the hassle.

Check price on Amazon
3The game itself

KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I–III] Amazon Exclusive Edition

Pre-order

Get this if you haven't ordered the game yet. This edition adds a double-sided poster.

Skip it if you already bought it somewhere else. The listing warns that the same content is sold in other bundles.

Release date
October 8, 2026
Format
Game-Key Card
Extra
Double-sided poster
Sold by (Sep 30)
Amazon.com

It was open for pre-order when I checked. The download still applies, so pair it with a card if you need the space.

Check price on Amazon

Who can skip the card

If your Switch 2 has plenty of free space, you don't need one. Check your free space before you buy anything.

If you're buying a new Switch 2 for this, the internal storage should cover the collection by itself at first.

Sources