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

Nintendo's recent 60-minute Nintendo Direct offered an in-depth look at the upcoming Switch 2, unveiling crucial details such as its price point of $449.99, a release date set for June 5, 2025, and an exciting lineup of new games. A notable announcement was that the Switch 2 will exclusively support microSD Express Cards for storage expansion, meaning you won't be able to use your old storage cards with the new console. To meet your storage needs, consider purchasing microSD Express cards like those offered by SanDisk, available on Amazon in 128GB ($44.99) and 256GB ($59.99) capacities.

The Switch 2 comes equipped with 256GB of internal storage, a significant leap from the original Switch's 32GB. While this might suffice initially, the larger file sizes of Switch 2 games, such as the anticipated expanded versions of titles like Tears of the Kingdom and Mario Kart World, may necessitate additional storage. Although the exact sizes of Switch 2 games remain undisclosed, they are expected to be more substantial than those on the original console.

Nintendo's decision to adopt microSD Express cards for the Switch 2 marks a significant shift in storage technology. Unlike the original Switch, which supported standard microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC cards, the Switch 2 will only accept microSD Express cards. These cards leverage PCIe and NVMe technology, offering speeds up to 985 MB/s—nearly ten times faster than traditional microSD cards. This change ensures the console can handle more demanding games without performance issues.

However, there's a notable downside: microSD Express cards are more expensive. A 128GB microSD Express card costs around $45, compared to $10-15 for a similar capacity standard SD card for the original Switch. Additionally, microSD Express 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, it does increase the cost of expandable storage for users.

If you're planning to buy a Switch 2, be prepared to budget for these faster, yet pricier, memory cards. For a comprehensive overview of everything showcased in today's Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, you can click here.