The Nintendo Switch 2 is here, and so you might be in the market for a microSD card to store more games. While all microSD cards look the same, only microSD Express cards will work on the Switch 2 for storing and playing games. The card you used in your original Switch or Switch Lite will only offer very limited functionality if installed into Nintendoâs new handheld, letting you view screenshots or video clips you captured previously â thatâs it.
Thatâs because Nintendo opted for a significantly faster spec in its new handheld console, which boasts an advertised 4.4x improvement in terms of transfer speeds over the microSD cards you might already have lying around. That improvement is signified by a small, easy-to-miss âEXâ emblem etched onto the front of the card.
Whatâs harder to miss is how much more expensive Express cards are, with some costing more than $50 for just 256GB of storage. The Switch 2 supports microSD Express cards up to 2TB in size, although 1TB is the largest capacity widely available (thatâs an overstatement, as many are sold out currently), with some cards selling for up to $200 a pop. Phew. I suppose it makes sense that theyâre pricier since theyâre classified as bonafide PCIe NVMe SSDs by the SD Association. Walmartâs Onn label is a beacon of light, as its microSD Express cards are significantly cheaper than the competition, with its 512GB model costing $65.88 when itâs in stock.
Thankfully, since the Switch 2 has 256GB of built-in storage, you most likely wonât need a microSD Express card immediately upon receiving your console. Getting a microSD card was a rite of passage with the original Switch since all versions, aside from the newer OLED edition that launched in 2021, came with just 32GB.
If youâre in the market for one of these pricier storage expansion cards, weâve listed the available options below.
Update, June 27th: Updated prices. TeamGroup has announced a microSD Express card, but it isnât available to purchase yet. Weâll update this post once that changes.
