In a recent, expansive 60-minute Nintendo Direct, Nintendo delved into the details of the highly anticipated Switch 2. The spotlight was on key announcements, such as the console's price set at $449.99, its launch date scheduled for June 5, 2025, and a lineup of exciting new games. A significant revelation was the Switch 2's exclusive compatibility with microSD Express Cards, marking a shift from the storage options of its predecessor.
This change means that when you get your hands on the Switch 2 this summer, you won't be able to use your existing storage cards. Instead, to expand your storage, you'll need to invest in microSD Express cards. Brands like SanDisk are already offering these on Amazon, with options including a 128GB card for $44.99 and a 256GB version for $59.99.
The Switch 2 itself comes with a robust 256GB of internal storage, a substantial upgrade from the original Switch's 32GB. This might be enough to start with, but considering the potential size of Switch 2 games, additional storage might become necessary sooner than you think. 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 significantly more space.
Although the exact file sizes for Switch 2 games remain undisclosed, it's clear they will require substantial storage. This shift to microSD Express cards, while limiting compatibility with older cards, is a strategic move by Nintendo to accommodate the larger, more demanding games of the future.
Why MicroSD Express for Switch 2?
Nintendo's decision to adopt microSD Express cards for the Switch 2's storage expansion is a game-changer. These cards leverage PCIe and NVMe technology, offering speeds up to 985 MB/s—nearly ten times faster than traditional microSD cards, which max out at 104 MB/s using the UHS-I interface. This leap in speed ensures the Switch 2 can handle larger, more demanding games without experiencing slowdowns.
However, this advancement comes with a significant drawback: cost. A 128GB microSD Express card, like those offered by SanDisk, is priced around $45, while a standard 128GB SD card for the original Switch might only set you back $10-15. Additionally, microSD Express cards are less common and currently produced by only a few brands, such as SanDisk and Samsung.
Nintendo's shift to microSD Express is clearly aimed at enhancing performance and future-proofing the console, but it also means users will face higher costs for expandable storage. If you're planning to join the Switch 2 community, be prepared to allocate budget for these faster, yet pricier, memory cards.
For a comprehensive overview of all the announcements from today's Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, you can click here.
