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

Nintendo recently unveiled a comprehensive 60-minute Nintendo Direct, diving deep into the much-anticipated Switch 2. This event revealed crucial details such as the console's price at $449.99, a release date set for June 5, 2025, and an exciting lineup of new games. A significant announcement was that the Switch 2 will exclusively support microSD Express Cards for storage expansion, meaning traditional microSD cards won't be compatible with the new console.

If you're planning to upgrade to the Switch 2 this summer, you'll need to invest in microSD Express cards for additional storage. Brands like SanDisk currently offer these cards on Amazon, with options like a 128GB card priced at $44.99 and a 256GB card at $59.99.

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

The Switch 2 comes equipped with 256GB of internal storage, a notable improvement over the original Switch's 32GB. This might mean you won't need to expand your storage immediately. However, keep in mind that games for the Switch 2 could be significantly larger than those on the original console. For instance, while "Tears of the Kingdom" was 16GB on the original Switch, its Switch 2 version, along with games like "Mario Kart World," may demand more storage space. Although exact file sizes for Switch 2 games are yet to be confirmed, it's safe to expect them to require substantial storage.

The decision to use microSD Express cards instead of standard microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC cards is a deliberate choice by Nintendo. MicroSD Express cards offer a major advancement in portable storage technology. Traditional microSD cards top out at 104 MB/s using the UHS-I interface, but microSD Express cards leverage PCIe and NVMe technology to reach speeds up to 985 MB/s—nearly 10 times faster. This speed is essential for the Switch 2 to handle larger, more demanding games smoothly.

However, there's a significant drawback: microSD Express cards are more expensive. A 128GB SD card for the original Switch costs around $10-15, while a similar capacity 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 shift to microSD Express aims at enhancing performance and future-proofing the console, it does mean higher costs for users looking to expand their storage.

If you're gearing up to purchase a Switch 2, be prepared to budget for these faster, yet pricier, memory cards. For a more detailed look at everything unveiled during today's Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, you can click here.