Nintendo's latest 60-minute Nintendo Direct provided an in-depth look at the much-anticipated Switch 2, unveiling crucial details such as its price of $449.99, a release date set for June 5, 2025, and a lineup of new games. One significant revelation is 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 prepare for the Switch 2, you can purchase microSD Express cards, such as those offered by SanDisk on Amazon. They currently have a 128GB card available for $44.99 and a 256GB card for $59.99. The Switch 2 itself comes equipped with 256GB of internal storage, a notable upgrade from the original Switch's 32GB, potentially reducing the immediate need for additional storage. However, considering that games for the Switch 2 could be significantly larger than those for the original console, planning for extra storage might be wise. For instance, while the largest game on the original Switch, Tears of the Kingdom, was 16GB, its Switch 2 version, along with games like Mario Kart World, may demand much more space.
Switch 2 Compatible SanDisk 256GB microSD Express Card - $59.99 (was $64.99)
SanDisk 128GB microSD Express Card - $44.99 (was $49.99)
The decision to use microSD Express cards is driven by their superior performance. Traditional microSD cards top out at 104 MB/s, whereas microSD Express cards can achieve speeds up to 985 MB/s, thanks to PCIe and NVMe technology. This upgrade ensures the Switch 2 can handle larger and more demanding games without performance issues. However, there's a catch: these cards are pricier. A 128GB standard SD card for the original Switch might cost between $10-15, while a similar capacity microSD Express card is around $45. Additionally, these new cards are less common, with only a few brands like SanDisk and Samsung producing them.
If you're planning to buy a Switch 2, be prepared to invest in these faster, albeit more expensive, memory cards. For a comprehensive overview of everything showcased during today’s Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, you can click here.
