In a recent 60-minute Nintendo Direct event, Nintendo provided an extensive look at the upcoming Switch 2, sharing key details such as the console's price ($449.99), release date (June 5, 2025), and a variety of new games. It was also confirmed that the Switch 2 will exclusively support microSD Express cards.
This means you cannot reuse your old storage cards when the console launches this summer. To increase storage capacity, you’ll need microSD Express cards like the ones currently listed by SanDisk on Amazon. Options include a 128GB model for $44.99 and a 256GB version for $59.99.
Compatible with Switch 2
SanDisk 256GB microSD Express Card
$64.99 Save 8% $59.99 at Amazon SanDisk 256GB microSD Express Card - $59.99 (previously $64.99) SanDisk 128GB microSD Express Card - $44.99 (previously $49.99)
The Nintendo Switch 2 includes 256GB of built-in storage—a major increase from the original Switch's 32GB. As a result, you may not need to expand storage immediately. However, keep in mind that Switch 2 games are likely to have larger file sizes than their predecessors.
For example, one of the largest original Switch titles, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, required 16GB, but its Switch 2 version—along with upcoming titles like Mario Kart World—will likely demand significantly more space.
Although exact file sizes for Switch 2 games haven’t been revealed, it's reasonable to expect they will occupy a substantial amount of storage. Unlike the first Switch, which worked with standard microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC cards, the Switch 2 only supports microSD Express cards.
Why Is the Switch 2 Using microSD Express?
Nintendo's decision to use microSD Express for the Switch 2's expandable storage marks a significant shift. So, what’s the reason? MicroSD Express represents a major leap in portable storage technology. While traditional microSD cards with the UHS-I interface top out at 104 MB/s, microSD Express cards utilize PCIe and NVMe technologies to achieve speeds of up to 985 MB/s—nearly ten times faster.
Due to these performance advantages, the Switch 2 will not support regular microSD cards—only the Express variant. This means your old Switch memory card won't work unless it's a compatible Express model. By requiring faster storage, Nintendo ensures the system can efficiently run larger, more demanding games without performance bottlenecks.
However, there is a notable drawback: these cards are more expensive. A standard 128GB microSD card for the original Switch costs around $10 to $15, while a similarly sized microSD Express card is priced at approximately $45. In addition, microSD Express cards aren’t as widely available as standard microSD cards, with brands like SanDisk and Samsung being among the few manufacturers. While Nintendo’s adoption of microSD Express appears focused on speed and future readiness, it does mean that expandable storage will come at a higher cost to users.
If you're planning to buy a Switch 2, be prepared to invest in one of these faster—and pricier—memory cards. To explore more details from the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct event, click here.
