Nintendo Switch 2-Compatible microSD Express Cards Start at $45

During a recent 60-minute Nintendo Direct focused on the Switch 2, Nintendo shared extensive new details. The presentation covered the console's price point ($449.99), its launch date (June 5, 2025), and a robust lineup of upcoming titles. A key technical detail confirmed is that the Switch 2 will exclusively utilize microSD Express cards for storage expansion.

Consequently, existing storage cards from older consoles will not be compatible when the system launches this summer. You will need dedicated microSD Express cards, like the SanDisk models currently available on Amazon. Options include a 128GB card for $44.99 and a 256GB version for $59.99.

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)

The Nintendo Switch 2 includes 256GB of built-in storage—a major increase over the original model’s 32GB. This may lessen the immediate need for extra space. However, anticipate that Switch 2 game files will be substantially larger than their predecessors.

For instance, *The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom* occupied 16GB on Switch, but its enhanced Switch 2 edition—along with titles like *Mario Kart World*—will likely demand far more capacity.

While exact file sizes for Switch 2 games are pending, expect them to consume significant storage. Unlike the original Switch, which supported standard microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC formats, the Switch 2 is designed to work solely with the faster microSD Express standard.

Why is the Switch 2 Using MicroSD Express?

Nintendo is implementing a significant shift in storage technology for the Switch 2. The reason? MicroSD Express represents a major advancement for portable storage. Traditional microSD cards, using the UHS-I interface, are capped around 104 MB/s. In contrast, MicroSD Express cards leverage PCIe and NVMe technology to achieve speeds up to 985 MB/s—nearly ten times faster.

To leverage these performance gains, the Switch 2 will not support older microSD card types. This ensures the system can load larger, more complex games smoothly without performance bottlenecks.

However, this change comes with a notable trade-off: higher cost. A standard 128GB microSD card for the original Switch might cost $10-15, while a comparable microSD Express card is around $45. Furthermore, MicroSD Express cards are less commonplace, with SanDisk and Samsung being among the few manufacturers. While this move future-proofs the console for demanding games, it increases the expense of expanding your storage.

If you plan to purchase a Switch 2, factor in the cost of these faster, premium memory cards. For a complete overview of everything revealed in the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, you can follow this link.