Nintendo recently held a comprehensive 60-minute Nintendo Direct, diving deep into the upcoming Switch 2. They unveiled critical details such as the console's price at $449.99, a release date set for June 5, 2025, and an array of exciting new games. A significant announcement was that the Switch 2 will exclusively support microSD Express Cards for storage expansion.
This means that when you get your hands on the Switch 2 this summer, your old storage cards won't be compatible. To boost your storage, you'll need to invest in microSD Express cards. Currently, SanDisk offers 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)With the Switch 2 coming equipped with 256GB of internal storage—a substantial leap from the original Switch's 32GB—you might not need to expand right away. However, keep in mind that games on the Switch 2 might be larger than those on the original console. For instance, while "Tears of the Kingdom" occupied 16GB on the original Switch, its Switch 2 counterpart, along with games like "Mario Kart World," could demand more space.
Although the exact file sizes for Switch 2 games haven't been disclosed, it's reasonable to expect them to be significantly larger. Unlike its predecessor, which supported standard microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC cards, the Switch 2 will only accommodate microSD Express cards.
Why MicroSD Express for Switch 2? ---------------------------------Nintendo's decision to switch to microSD Express for the Switch 2 is a significant shift. But why? MicroSD Express cards represent a major advancement in portable storage technology. Traditional microSD cards top out at 104 MB/s using the UHS-I interface, but microSD Express cards leverage PCIe and NVMe technology to achieve speeds up to 985 MB/s—nearly ten times faster.
This speed advantage is why the Switch 2 won't support regular microSD cards; only microSD Express will do. This ensures the console can handle larger, more demanding games without any lag. However, there's a catch: these cards are more expensive. A 128GB SD card for the original Switch would cost around $10-15, while the same capacity for an Express card is about $45. MicroSD Express cards are less common, with brands like SanDisk and Samsung being among the few manufacturers. Nintendo's shift to microSD Express is geared towards speed and future-proofing, but it does mean higher costs for expandable storage.
If you're planning to pick up a Switch 2, be prepared to budget for these faster, yet pricier, memory cards. For a closer look at all the highlights from today’s Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, you can click here.
