Nintendo recently provided an in-depth look at the Switch 2 during a comprehensive 60-minute Nintendo Direct. They unveiled crucial details including the console's price at $449.99, a release date set for June 5, 2025, and a lineup of new games. A significant announcement was that the Switch 2 will exclusively support microSD Express Cards for storage expansion, marking a departure from the standard microSD cards used in the original Switch.
This shift means that if you're upgrading to the Switch 2 this summer, you won't be able to use your existing storage cards. To expand your storage, you'll need to invest in 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 boasts 256GB of internal storage, a substantial increase from the original Switch's 32GB. This upgrade might mean you won't need to expand your storage immediately. However, keep in mind that games for the Switch 2 are expected to be larger. For instance, "Tears of the Kingdom" on the original Switch was 16GB, but its Switch 2 version, along with other titles like "Mario Kart World," could demand much more space.
Although specific file sizes for Switch 2 games haven't been confirmed, it's likely they will require significant storage. Unlike the original Switch, which supported standard microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC cards, the Switch 2 will only support microSD Express cards.
Nintendo's decision to use microSD Express cards for the Switch 2 represents a major advancement in portable storage technology. Traditional microSD cards top out at 104 MB/s with the UHS-I interface, while microSD Express cards leverage PCIe and NVMe technology to reach speeds up to 985 MB/s—nearly ten times faster.
This speed advantage is why the Switch 2 will not support regular microSD cards. Only microSD Express cards will be compatible, ensuring the system can manage larger, more demanding games without performance issues. However, there's a downside: these cards are pricier. A 128GB SD card for the original Switch might cost around $10-15, whereas a 128GB microSD Express card is about $45. Additionally, microSD Express cards are less common, with brands like SanDisk and Samsung among the few manufacturers.
Nintendo's move to microSD Express aims to enhance speed and future-proof the console, but it does mean higher costs for expandable storage. 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 all the exciting announcements from today's Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, click here.
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