The Nintendo Switch launched last week and as you'd expect, there's going to be a few issues that need sorting out. One of those is save data and the fact it cannot be transferred.
Whenever a Switch save game is created or updated, the data is stored in the console's system memory of which there is a total of 32GB (around 26GB is usable). When it comes to games and DLC, that data can be stored in system memory or on an inserted micro SD card. However, Nintendo will not allow save data to be stored anywhere other than system memory.
The situation gets worse when you consider that 32GB of memory will quickly fill up. When it's full, Nintendo will insist you delete data to continue using it. If that's save data you still won't be able to back it up or transfer it elsewhere for safe keeping. It will be lost forever.
What if you want to purchase a new Nintendo Switch? Right now, opting to do so will mean leaving all your save data behind on the old Switch. Nintendo won't even allow you to transfer the data between the two systems from system memory-to-system memory. So all your progress in the games you've played will be lost.
Nintendo confirms this in its Switch Data Management FAQ and Kotaku received further confirmation this is indeed the situation (for now) directly from Nintendo.
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Deciding to make non-transferable save games a feature of the Switch seems quite ridiculous when transfers have been allowed before by Nintendo on other platforms. Although it wasn't the easiest of processes, save data could be transferred between 3DS handhelds using an SD card. The Wii U allowed data transfers using USB-connected storage.
I suspect that Nintendo will update the Switch's system software in the near future to allow for save data transfers. It likely wasn't a priority feature in the run up to launch when all the focus is on stability and running out of storage space wasn't going to happen immediately for any owner.
If it doesn't happen, then Nintendo needs to provide us with a very good reason as to why. And I really don't think that reason exists.
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