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

Nintendo recently provided an in-depth look at the Switch 2 during a comprehensive 60-minute Nintendo Direct, unveiling crucial details such as the console's price of $449.99, its release date set for June 5, 2025, and a lineup of exciting new games. A significant announcement was that the Switch 2 will exclusively support microSD Express Cards for storage expansion.

This change means that you won't be able to use your existing storage cards with the new console. If you're looking to expand your storage, you'll need to purchase microSD Express cards. SanDisk currently offers these on Amazon, including a 128GB card for $44.99 and a 256GB version for $59.99.

Switch 2 Compatible### SanDisk 256GB microSD Express Card

The Nintendo Switch 2 will come equipped with 256GB of internal storage, a substantial improvement over the original Switch's 32GB. This upgrade might mean you won't need to expand your storage immediately. However, considering that Switch 2 games are expected to be larger than those on the original console, additional storage might become necessary down the line. For instance, while "Tears of the Kingdom" occupied 16GB on the original Switch, its Switch 2 version and games like "Mario Kart World" could require significantly more space.

Although the exact file sizes for Switch 2 games remain undisclosed, it's reasonable to expect them to be quite sizable. Unlike the original Switch, which supported standard microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC cards, the Switch 2 will only accept microSD Express cards.

Nintendo's decision to use microSD Express cards for the Switch 2 represents a significant shift in storage technology. MicroSD Express cards leverage PCIe and NVMe technologies, offering read and write 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 speed advantage ensures that the Switch 2 can handle more demanding games without performance issues.

However, this shift comes with a notable drawback: higher costs. For example, while a 128GB SD card for the original Switch might cost around $10-15, the same storage capacity in a microSD Express card is priced at approximately $45. Moreover, microSD Express cards are less common and are produced by only a few brands, such as SanDisk and Samsung.

If you're planning to purchase a Switch 2, be prepared to budget for these faster, yet more expensive, memory cards. For a comprehensive overview of everything else Nintendo showcased during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, you can click here.