Nintendo recently unveiled a wealth of exciting details about the Switch 2 during a comprehensive 60-minute Nintendo Direct. The console is set to launch on June 5, 2025, with a price tag of $449.99. Alongside the announcement, Nintendo revealed a lineup of new games and confirmed that the Switch 2 will exclusively support microSD Express Cards for storage expansion. This means that existing microSD cards from the original Switch won't be compatible, and you'll need to invest in new microSD Express cards to expand your storage. SanDisk offers options on Amazon, including a 128GB card for $44.99 and a 256GB card for $59.99.
SanDisk microSD Express Cards
- SanDisk 256GB microSD Express Card - $59.99 (was $64.99)
- SanDisk 128GB microSD Express Card - $44.99 (was $49.99)
The Switch 2 comes equipped with 256GB of internal storage, a significant upgrade from the original Switch's 32GB. This should provide ample space for your games 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 find yourself needing additional storage sooner than expected.
While the exact file sizes for Switch 2 games remain undisclosed, it's reasonable to expect them to be more substantial than those on the original console. The Switch 2's exclusive support for microSD Express cards, as opposed to the original's compatibility with standard microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC cards, is a notable shift.
Why MicroSD Express for Switch 2?
Nintendo's decision to use microSD Express cards for the Switch 2 is driven by the significant advancements in portable storage technology. Traditional microSD cards are limited to 104 MB/s using the UHS-I interface, whereas microSD Express cards leverage PCIe and NVMe technology to achieve speeds up to 985 MB/s—nearly ten times faster. This speed boost is crucial for handling the larger, more demanding games expected on the Switch 2, ensuring smooth performance without slowdowns.
However, there's a notable downside: microSD Express cards are more expensive. A 128GB standard SD card for the original Switch might cost around $10-15, while a similar capacity microSD Express card is priced at about $45. Additionally, microSD Express cards are less widely available, with only a few brands like SanDisk and Samsung producing them. This shift to microSD Express, while aimed at enhancing speed and future-proofing the console, does mean higher costs for expandable storage.
If you're planning to purchase a Switch 2, be prepared to budget for these faster, yet pricier, memory cards. For a comprehensive overview of everything showcased during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, you can click here.
