When Nintendo introduced the Switch 2, they announced that users would need microSD Express cards to expand the device’s memory. This news caused a frenzy, with both online and brick-and-mortar stores quickly sold out. Retailers in Japan, such as Hermitage Akihabara, reported an incredible sales rate, with some staff saying they sold over 337 cards per hour, a figure that left many surprised given the premium cost of microSD Express cards compared to their regular counterparts.
Here’s the thing: you’re going to pay significantly more for these microSD Express cards. Let’s take the Lexar 1TB Play microSD card, for example. On Amazon, its usual price is $129.99, but currently, there’s a sweet deal at $69.99. This card offers a decent read speed of 160 MB/s and a write speed of 100 MB/s. However, if you’re eyeing the Express version, brace yourself for a faster ride and a steeper price. The Lexar 1TB Play Pro microSD Express card boasts read speeds up to 900 MB/s and write speeds of 600 MB/s. This speed boost comes with an original price tag of $199.99, though it’s currently marked down to $172.63. Still, it’s more than twice the cost of the standard card.
Despite the extra expense, the demand for microSD Express cards following Nintendo’s announcement was sky-high. We haven’t seen significant scalping, though. Reports suggest that around 80% of buyers picked up just one card, and even the keenest shoppers maxed out at three. It seems these buyers are regular users gearing up for the new Switch 2 experience.
The microSD Express standard has actually been around since 2019, but hasn’t seen widespread use, primarily due to its cost compared to regular microSD cards for portable storage and SSDs for more fixed storage needs. While some gaming consoles allow you to increase storage by swapping out the SSD, this process isn’t exactly a walk in the park since it involves removing the backplate and making some configuration changes.
Nintendo, known for preferring that users don’t tinker with their console hardware, offers a much simpler solution for the Switch 2’s storage needs via microSD Express cards. This method could be particularly important given the console’s 256 GB internal storage might struggle to keep up with a slew of new AAA games. This way, your favorite game titles are always at your fingertips on your Switch 2.
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