Nintendo recently provided an in-depth look at the upcoming Switch 2 during a special 60-minute Nintendo Direct. They unveiled crucial details such as the console's price ($449.99), its release date (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 you won't be able to use your existing storage cards with the new console.
To expand your storage on the Switch 2, you'll need to purchase microSD Express cards. SanDisk currently 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 upgrade from the original Switch's 32GB. This might mean you won't need to expand your storage immediately, but considering the potential larger file sizes of Switch 2 games, it's something to keep in mind.
For instance, while the original Switch game "Tears of the Kingdom" was 16GB, its Switch 2 counterpart and other new titles like "Mario Kart World" could demand significantly more space. Although exact file sizes for Switch 2 games are yet to be confirmed, it's reasonable to expect they'll require substantial storage.
Nintendo's decision to use microSD Express cards for the Switch 2 is a notable shift. These cards leverage PCIe and NVMe technology, offering speeds up to 985 MB/s—nearly ten times faster than traditional microSD cards, which top out at 104 MB/s using the UHS-I interface. This speed boost is crucial for handling larger, more demanding games without performance issues.
However, there's a downside: microSD Express cards are more expensive. A 128GB microSD card for the original Switch might cost around $10-15, whereas the same capacity in an Express card is about $45. Additionally, these cards are less widely available, with only a few brands like SanDisk and Samsung producing them. While Nintendo's move to microSD Express is aimed at enhancing speed and future-proofing the console, 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 pricier, memory cards. For a comprehensive overview of everything showcased during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, you can click here.
