Nintendo recently held a comprehensive 60-minute Nintendo Direct, diving deep into the details of the upcoming Switch 2. This exciting reveal included the console's price at $449.99, its launch date set for June 5, 2025, and a lineup of new games. Additionally, it was confirmed that the Switch 2 will exclusively support microSD Express Cards for storage expansion, meaning you won't be able to use your existing storage cards when you upgrade to the new console this summer. To expand your storage, you'll need to purchase microSD Express cards, such as those offered by SanDisk on Amazon, available in 128GB for $44.99 and 256GB 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 Nintendo Switch 2 comes equipped with 256GB of internal storage, a significant leap from the original Switch's 32GB. While this might mean you won't need to expand your storage immediately, it's worth noting that Switch 2 games are expected to be larger than their predecessors. For instance, "Tears of the Kingdom," which was 16GB on the original Switch, could require more space on the Switch 2, along with other titles like "Mario Kart World." Although exact file sizes for Switch 2 games haven't been confirmed, it's reasonable to expect they'll take up a substantial amount of storage. Unlike the original Switch, which supported standard microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC cards, the Switch 2 will only support microSD Express cards.

Nintendo's decision to use microSD Express cards for the Switch 2 marks a significant shift in storage expansion technology. This choice is driven by the advanced capabilities of microSD Express cards, which can achieve speeds up to 985 MB/s—nearly ten times faster than traditional microSD cards that top out at 104 MB/s with UHS-I. By exclusively supporting microSD Express, the Switch 2 can efficiently handle larger and more demanding games without performance issues.

However, there's a notable downside: microSD Express cards are pricier. A 128GB SD card for the original Switch might cost around $10-15, while a similar capacity microSD Express card is about $45. These cards are less common, with only a few brands like SanDisk and Samsung producing them. While Nintendo's shift to microSD Express focuses on enhancing speed and future-proofing the console, it does mean higher costs for expandable storage.

If you're planning to get a Switch 2, be prepared to budget for these faster, albeit more expensive, memory cards. For a detailed look at everything Nintendo showcased during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, you can click here.