MicroSD Express Cards for Switch 2: 128GB at $45

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 release date and price, Nintendo announced a lineup of new games and confirmed that the Switch 2 will exclusively support microSD Express Cards for storage expansion. This means that you won’t be able to use your existing storage cards with the new console when it hits the market this summer.

To expand your storage on the Switch 2, you'll need to purchase microSD Express cards. SanDisk currently offers options on Amazon, including a 128GB card for $44.99 and a 256GB card for $59.99. The Switch 2 itself comes with a substantial 256GB of internal storage, a notable upgrade from the original Switch's 32GB. While this might be sufficient initially, the larger file sizes of Switch 2 games, such as the anticipated Switch 2 version of Tears of the Kingdom and Mario Kart World, may necessitate additional storage.

Although exact file sizes for Switch 2 games remain undisclosed, it's clear they will require significant storage space. Unlike the original Switch, which supported standard microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC cards, the Switch 2 will only accept microSD Express cards.

Why MicroSD Express for Switch 2?

Nintendo's decision to use microSD Express for the Switch 2's storage expansion is a significant shift. MicroSD Express cards utilize PCIe and NVMe technology, offering speeds up to 985 MB/s—nearly ten times faster than the 104 MB/s max of traditional microSD cards using the UHS-I interface. This speed enhancement is crucial for handling larger, more demanding games without performance issues.

However, there's a notable drawback: microSD Express cards are more expensive. A 128GB SD card for the original Switch typically costs around $10-15, whereas a similar capacity microSD Express card is priced at about $45. These cards are also less widely available, with only a few brands like SanDisk and Samsung producing them. While Nintendo's move to microSD Express is aimed at ensuring speed and future-proofing, it does increase the cost of expandable storage for users.

If you're planning to purchase a Switch 2, be prepared to budget for these faster, yet pricier, memory cards. For a deeper dive into everything Nintendo revealed during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, you can click here.

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

1$64.99 save 8%$59.99 at AmazonSanDisk 256GB microSD Express Card - $59.99 (was $64.99)SanDisk 128GB microSD Express Card - $44.99 (was $49.99)