Nintendo recently unveiled a wealth of information about the highly anticipated Switch 2 during a comprehensive 60-minute Nintendo Direct. The new console is set to hit the market on June 5, 2025, with a price tag of $449.99. Among the highlights, Nintendo confirmed that the Switch 2 will exclusively use microSD Express Cards for storage expansion, marking a significant shift from the original Switch's compatibility with standard microSD cards.

This change means that when you upgrade to the Switch 2 this summer, you won't be able to use your existing storage cards. Instead, you'll need to invest in microSD Express cards, such as those currently available from SanDisk on Amazon. Options include a 128GB card priced at $44.99 and a 256GB version at $59.99.

The Nintendo Switch 2 boasts an impressive 256GB of internal storage, a substantial upgrade from the original Switch's 32GB. This increased capacity might mean you won't need to expand storage immediately. However, with Switch 2 games expected to be larger than their predecessors—like the 16GB Tears of the Kingdom, which could see even larger file sizes on the new console—you might soon find yourself needing additional space.

Nintendo's decision to use microSD Express cards for the Switch 2 is driven by the technology's superior performance. While traditional microSD cards top out at 104 MB/s using the UHS-I interface, microSD Express cards can achieve speeds up to 985 MB/s through PCIe and NVMe technology. This leap in speed is crucial for handling the larger, more demanding games expected on the Switch 2, ensuring smooth performance without slowdowns.

However, there's a notable downside to this upgrade: microSD Express cards are more expensive. For instance, a 128GB standard SD card for the original Switch might cost around $10-15, while a similar capacity microSD Express card is priced at approximately $45. Additionally, these cards are less widely available, with only a few brands like SanDisk and Samsung currently producing them.

If you're planning to purchase a Switch 2, be prepared to budget for these faster, albeit pricier, memory cards. To explore more about what was showcased during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, you can click here.