Your guide to Switch 2 MicroSD Express memory cards

The Nintendo Switch 2 has officially been unveiled. Nintendo confirmed it comes with 256GB of internal storage, which is eight times more than the original Switch. But here’s the thing: games have never been bigger. AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 clock in at a massive 64 gigs. If you’re anything like me, you’re probably going to need a decent-sized memory card to load up on games.

With new hardware and faster loading speeds, the need for faster storage is real. And unfortunately, your old Switch 1 MicroSD card just isn’t going to cut it.

Good news though — Nintendo Wire has your back with everything you need to know about the new MicroSD Express format that the Switch 2 requires for saving games, plus where to get one.

 

What is MicroSD Express and Why Do I Need It?

MicroSD Express was originally developed by Samsung, supposedly for a “mystery client” that many believe was Nintendo. It was built to be way faster than traditional memory cards, and even faster than some SSDs you’ll find on the market.

Samsung says MicroSD Express is about 1.4 times faster than standard SATA SSDs and up to four times faster than UHS-I memory cards. It also supports insanely high storage capacities, with a theoretical max of 128 terabytes. Yes, terabytes.

 

 

The short version? MicroSD Express is fast, and the Switch 2 needs that speed to stream game content efficiently and reduce load times.

 

Can I Use My Old MicroSD Card with the Switch 2?

 

You won’t be able to use a non-Express MicroSD card to store games on the Switch 2. That said, your old card isn’t completely useless — you can still use it to save screenshots and gameplay clips.

 

Where Can I Get a MicroSD Express Card for the Switch 2?

 

Right now, MicroSD Express cards are available on Amazon and Best Buy.

 

Amazon:

• SanDisk 128GB MicroSD Express ($44.99)
• SanDisk 256GB MicroSD Express ($59.99)
• Lexar 256, 512, 1TB MicroSD Express

 

Best Buy

• SanDisk 128GB MicroSD Express ($49.99)
• SanDisk 256GB MicroSD Express ($59.99)

 

Just be aware they’re selling out quickly. If you’re aiming for a size larger than 256GB, it might be a challenge to find one in stock at the moment.

 

 

When shopping, make sure the card has the EX logo on it to confirm it’s the real deal. Stick with trusted brands like Lexar, Samsung, or SanDisk to avoid knockoffs or compatibility issues.

 

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