"Switch 2 microSD Express Cards: 128GB for $45"

In a comprehensive 60-minute Nintendo Direct, Nintendo unveiled a wealth of details about the upcoming Switch 2, including its price of $449.99, a release date set for June 5, 2025, and an array of new games. A significant announcement was that the Switch 2 will exclusively support microSD Express Cards for storage expansion, meaning you won't be able to use your existing microSD cards with the new console.

To expand your storage on the Switch 2, you'll need to purchase microSD Express cards. Currently, SanDisk offers options on Amazon, such as a 128GB card for $44.99 and a 256GB card for $59.99. The Switch 2 itself comes with 256GB of internal storage, a notable upgrade from the original Switch's 32GB, which might suffice initially. However, with the potential for larger game sizes on the Switch 2—such as the anticipated larger file sizes for games like the Switch 2 version of Tears of the Kingdom and Mario Kart World—you might eventually need to expand your storage.

SanDisk 256GB microSD Express Card

$64.99 save 8% $59.99 at Amazon

• SanDisk 256GB microSD Express Card - $59.99 (was $64.99)
• SanDisk 128GB microSD Express Card - $44.99 (was $49.99)

While exact file sizes for Switch 2 games remain unconfirmed, they are expected to be significantly larger than those on the original console, necessitating the use of the faster microSD Express cards, which can reach speeds up to 985 MB/s thanks to PCIe and NVMe technology—nearly 10 times faster than traditional microSD cards.

Why MicroSD Express for Switch 2?

Nintendo's decision to switch to microSD Express cards for the Switch 2 is a strategic move towards leveraging advanced storage technology. These cards offer speeds up to 985 MB/s, which are crucial for handling the larger and more demanding games expected on the Switch 2. This shift, however, comes with a significant drawback: microSD Express cards are more expensive, with a 128GB card costing around $45 compared to $10-15 for a similar capacity traditional microSD card. Additionally, these cards are less widely available, with only a few brands like SanDisk and Samsung producing them.

If you're planning to get a Switch 2, be prepared to budget for these faster, yet pricier, memory cards. For a deeper dive into everything Nintendo showcased during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, you can click here.