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

Nintendo recently provided an extensive look at the Switch 2 during a 60-minute Nintendo Direct, unveiling crucial details such as the console's price at $449.99, its 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, meaning users won't be able to use their existing microSD cards from the original Switch.

To accommodate the storage needs of the Switch 2, you'll need to purchase microSD Express cards. SanDisk offers these on Amazon, with options including a 128GB card for $44.99 and a 256GB card for $59.99. The Switch 2 itself comes equipped with 256GB of internal storage, a substantial leap from the original Switch's 32GB. However, with the potential for larger game sizes on the Switch 2, expanding storage might become necessary sooner than expected.

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)

For instance, the largest game on the original Switch, "Tears of the Kingdom," was 16GB. The Switch 2 versions of games, including titles like "Mario Kart World," are expected to have significantly larger file sizes. Although exact sizes haven't been confirmed, it's prudent to anticipate that these games will require considerable storage space.

The decision to use microSD Express cards for the Switch 2 is a strategic move by Nintendo. These cards leverage PCIe and NVMe technology, offering speeds up to 985 MB/s, nearly ten times faster than the 104 MB/s maximum of traditional microSD cards using the UHS-I interface. This shift to microSD Express ensures the Switch 2 can handle more demanding games without performance issues.

However, this advancement comes with a higher price tag. A 128GB microSD Express card costs around $45, compared to $10-15 for a standard microSD card of the same capacity. Currently, microSD Express cards are less common, with only a few brands like SanDisk and Samsung producing them. While Nintendo's move to microSD Express is aimed at enhancing performance and future-proofing the console, it does mean increased costs for users looking to expand their storage.

If you're planning to get a Switch 2, be prepared to budget for these faster yet pricier memory cards. To explore everything else showcased in the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, click here.