Nintendo recently provided an extensive look at the upcoming Switch 2 during a 60-minute Nintendo Direct, unveiling crucial details such as the console's price of $449.99 and its release date on June 5, 2025. Alongside these announcements, a lineup of new games was showcased, and it was confirmed that the Switch 2 will exclusively support microSD Express Cards for storage expansion.
This means that current microSD card users will need to upgrade to microSD Express when transitioning to the Switch 2. To prepare for this, consider purchasing compatible cards like those offered by SanDisk on Amazon, which include a 128GB model for $44.99 and a 256GB model for $59.99.
Switch 2 Compatible### SanDisk 256GB microSD Express Card
The Switch 2 comes with a robust 256GB of internal storage, a significant improvement over the original Switch's 32GB. This upgrade may mean you won't need to expand your storage immediately. However, with the potential for larger game files on the Switch 2, such as the anticipated larger sizes of games like Tears of the Kingdom and Mario Kart World, additional storage might become necessary.
Although the exact file sizes for Switch 2 games are yet to be confirmed, it's reasonable to expect them to be larger than those on the original console. The Switch 2's exclusive use of microSD Express cards, as opposed to the original Switch's support for standard microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC cards, is a notable change.
Why MicroSD Express for Switch 2? ---------------------------------Nintendo's decision to use microSD Express cards for the Switch 2 is a significant shift in storage technology. 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 speed boost ensures the Switch 2 can efficiently handle larger and more demanding games without performance issues.
However, there's a notable downside: microSD Express cards are more expensive. For instance, a 128GB standard SD card for the original Switch costs around $10-15, while a 128GB microSD Express card is priced at about $45. Additionally, these cards are less widely available, with only a few brands like SanDisk and Samsung producing them. While Nintendo's adoption of microSD Express is geared towards speed and future-proofing, it does mean higher costs for users seeking to expand their storage.
If you're planning to purchase a Switch 2, be prepared to budget for these faster, yet pricier, memory cards. For more information on everything showcased during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, you can click here.
