Nintendo's recent 60-minute Nintendo Direct provided an in-depth look at the highly anticipated Switch 2, unveiling a wealth of details. The console is set to hit the market on June 5, 2025, with a price tag of $449.99. The event also highlighted an array of new games and confirmed that the Switch 2 will exclusively support microSD Express Cards for storage expansion. This means that existing microSD cards won't be compatible, and you'll need to invest in new microSD Express cards to increase your storage capacity. Brands like SanDisk are already offering options on Amazon, such as a 128GB card for $44.99 and a 256GB card 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 Switch 2 comes equipped with 256GB of internal storage, a significant leap from the original Switch's 32GB. This upgrade might initially seem sufficient, but consider that Switch 2 games could be substantially larger. For instance, while "Tears of the Kingdom" was 16GB on the original Switch, its Switch 2 version and games like "Mario Kart World" could demand more space. Although exact file sizes for Switch 2 games remain undisclosed, it's likely they'll require considerable storage. Unlike its predecessor, which supported standard microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC cards, the Switch 2 is limited to microSD Express cards.

Nintendo's decision to use microSD Express cards for the Switch 2's storage expansion is a significant shift. These cards utilize PCIe and NVMe technology, allowing for speeds up to 985 MB/s—nearly ten times faster than traditional microSD cards, which top out at 104 MB/s with UHS-I. This speed advantage means the Switch 2 can handle larger, more demanding games without performance issues, but it comes at a cost. MicroSD Express cards are more expensive; for example, a 128GB card can cost around $45, compared to $10-15 for a standard SD card of the same capacity. Additionally, these cards are less common, with only a few brands like SanDisk and Samsung producing them. While this move to microSD Express is about enhancing 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, albeit pricier, memory cards. For a comprehensive overview of everything showcased during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, you can click here.