When you consider how small the available storage space on the Xbox Series S and PlayStation 5 is (802GB and 667.2GB usable space, respectively), you’ve got to be careful what you install. With that said, we’ve decided to help out. Below, you’ll find 10 of the biggest video games ever, ranked by install size, to help you know which games will take up far more space than you have available before you go and buy or download them.
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition (120GB)
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition takes up a lot of space, which is understandable. It’s a compilation of three full games with HD texture packs, among others, for each one, and nearly all the DLCs that were originally for each game. Thus, Mass Effect: Legendary Edition taking up a total of 88.1GB on the Xbox One and 87GB on the PlayStation 4 is understandable, even with the 13GB Day One patch. What is not understandable is the massive gap in install size between the console versions and the PC version, where the trilogy compilation is expected to take up 120GB worth of space.
Halo: The Master Chief Collection (125GB)
The Master Chief Collection is one of the best games on the Xbox Game Pass. It’s a must-play for Halo veterans and those who’re looking to play the classic Halo games in a more palatable form. It’s also a huge resource hog, taking up as much as 125.9GB in space with everything else. Of course, the keyword here is everything, because there is a lot. You’re not just getting one game. You’re getting Halo, Halo 2, Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST, Halo Reach, and Halo 4, all of which will receive visual improvements, multiplayer modes, as well as reduced loading times, split-screen, an adjustable Field of View, and so much more. When you consider all that The Master Chief Collection packs in a single bundle, the 125GB install size no longer seems as massive.
Rainbow Six: Siege (131GB)
Ubisoft’s Rainbow Six: Siege is proof that games can turn things around after a rocky start, with the studio constantly adding new maps and operators, as well as features, to turn Siege into arguably the best online tactical shooter on the market today. The only problem is that all of those improvements and updates came at the expense of a large install size. With the HD texture packs installed, Siege is expected to require 131GB of space on your storage drive.
Red Dead Redemption 2 (150GB)
There’s no denying that Red Dead Redemption 2 has one of the most expansive and detailed worlds in all of gaming. However, if you haven’t played the game yet and you’re looking forward to saddling up and explore the wild west, you might want to hold your horses for a bit (get it?) as the total install size of Red Dead Redemption 2 comes to around 150GB.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 (150GB)
Microsoft Flight Simulator isn’t just your average video game. It is a literal simulator - it’s in the name itself. It even comes with an introductory training course, complete with runaway drive-outs, and the occasional crash landing, along with a working physics engine. Not to mention, unlike other simulators, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 takes its data from Bing Maps to create a 1:1 virtual replica of the entire planet Earth. If you have the means and determination to stick with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, you’ll find yourself rewarded with photorealistic views at ultra-high graphics settings every time you boot the game up to play it.
Final Fantasy XV: Windows Edition (155GB)
Final Fantasy XV was already a large game for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Without all the DLCs and expansions, the game took up around 55GB worth of space when it first launched in 2016. Then, when you factor in all the numerous DLCs and other added in-game content, the game totaled around 100GB by the time the final DLC, Episode Ardyn, arrived in 2019. However, 100GB is only if you plan on playing the game 1080p or 720p. The reason why we mentioned the Windows Edition specifically is that it has an extra 4K resolution pack, which, when downloaded and installed, brings the total to 155GB. Had the original plans for the game panned out, Final Fantasy XV would have received three more DLC story content and have upped the total install size even further.
Quantum Break (178GB)
Quantum Break is the perfect example of how a video game can take queues from the stream-heavy era of today, playing a lot like an action series that most of us would love to binge-watch with the only difference being that you’re the one playing it. Unfortunately, its sharp visuals, extensive single-player narrative, and excellent use of time-based physics came at the expense of taking up a lot of space on your storage drive.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (235GB)
There’s no denying that 2019’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare by Infinity Ward was a great return to form for the Call of Duty franchise. It’s also one of the largest. Even when it first launched, the AAA shooter title took up close to 100GB of space. Add multiple updates along with Call of Duty: Warzone, then you have Modern Warfare’s current install size, which can range anywhere between 133GB to 235GB depending on the platform. If it helps, Infinity Ward has promised to try and minimize the size of fresh updates.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (250GB)
Activision’s Call of Duty series has been getting absurd with its total install sizes over the years. However, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War takes the cake. If you include the single-player campaign of Black Ops Cold War with multiplayer, ray-tracing assets, and high-quality textures, the game will take as much as 250GB of space depending on which platform you install it on. But, if it’s any consolation, Black Ops Cold War lets you choose which components to install only at a particular time. Basically, if you’re playing Black Ops Cold War exclusively just for the multiplayer, you’ll only need to leave around 50GB of space for it. Still, if you want to enjoy everything that Black Ops Cold War has to offer, prepare to cough up as much as a third of the total available space on your PS5 and a quarter on your Xbox Series X. At this point, we wouldn’t be surprised if the next Call of Duty game takes up 300GB.
ARK: Survival Evolved (275GB)
ARK: Survival Evolved might seem like a game that’s all about making wooden shacks out of nothing and befriending dinosaurs, but it’s actually quite a voracious storage space eater. Don’t let the 60GB install size fool you. If you include all the extra content that ARK: Survival Evolved has available, which is around 10 DLCs, you’ll need to make A LOT more room. In total, a complete install of ARK: Survival Evolved is estimated to take up around 275GB on your storage drive.
