Nintendo's recent 60-minute Nintendo Direct provided an in-depth look at the Switch 2, unveiling crucial details such as its price ($449.99), release date (June 5, 2025), and a lineup of new games. Notably, it was confirmed that the Switch 2 will exclusively support microSD Express Cards for storage expansion, marking a significant shift from the original Switch's compatibility with standard microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC cards.
This means that if you're planning to upgrade to the Switch 2 this summer, you won't be able to use your existing storage cards. Instead, you'll need to invest in microSD Express cards. SanDisk currently offers compatible options on Amazon, including a 128GB card for $44.99 and a 256GB card for $59.99.
Switch 2 Compatible### SanDisk 256GB microSD Express Card
1$64.99 save 8%$59.99 at AmazonSanDisk 256GB microSD Express Card - $59.99 (was $64.99)SanDisk 128GB microSD Express Card - $44.99 (was $49.99)
The Nintendo Switch 2 comes equipped with 256GB of internal storage, a substantial upgrade from the original Switch's 32GB. While this might suffice initially, considering the potential size of Switch 2 games, you might find yourself needing to expand storage down the line. For instance, while 'Tears of the Kingdom' occupied 16GB on the original Switch, its Switch 2 counterpart and titles like 'Mario Kart World' could demand significantly more space.
Although the exact file sizes for Switch 2 games remain unconfirmed, it's prudent to anticipate larger storage requirements. The shift to microSD Express cards is a pivotal move by Nintendo to accommodate these larger, more demanding games.
Why MicroSD Express for Switch 2? ---------------------------------Nintendo's decision to use microSD Express cards for the Switch 2 is a strategic move to leverage the latest in portable storage technology. Traditional microSD cards are limited to a maximum speed of 104 MB/s using the UHS-I interface, whereas microSD Express cards utilize PCIe and NVMe technology, achieving speeds up to 985 MB/s—nearly ten times faster.
This speed advantage is why the Switch 2 will only support microSD Express cards, ensuring it can handle the larger and more demanding games without any performance hitches. However, there's a notable drawback: these cards are pricier. For example, a 128GB microSD card for the original Switch might cost around $10-15, while a microSD Express card of the same capacity is priced at about $45.
Moreover, microSD Express cards are not as widely available as their standard counterparts, with only a few brands like SanDisk and Samsung producing them. While Nintendo's shift to microSD Express is aimed at enhancing speed and future-proofing the console, it does mean higher costs for expandable storage for users.
If you're gearing up to purchase a Switch 2, be prepared to allocate budget for these faster, yet more expensive, memory cards. For a comprehensive overview of all the exciting announcements from today's Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, you can click here.
