MicroSD Express Cards For Nintendo Switch Here Are Your Options

The Nintendo Switch 2 offers a fairly massive upgrade when it comes to raw storage space. The 256GB onboard SSD is four times larger than the Switch OLED (64GB) and eight times the size of the original Switch and Switch Lite (32GB). That said, the Switch 2's performance upgrades will inevitably lead to bigger file sizes for upcoming games, which could compel you to expand your console's storage capacity. Just like its predecessor, the Nintendo Switch 2 has a microSD card slot. But while the Switch worked with basically every microSD card sold in stores, the Switch 2 is only compatible with a very specific type of storage: microSD Express cards.

The Express format is a recent advancement in the semiconductor industry that hasn't been widely adopted by manufacturers yet. The Nintendo Switch 2 will certainly increase its adoption rate by both manufacturers and consumers in a hurry. During this week's Nintendo Direct, we learned that both Samsung and SanDisk will be releasing Super Mario-themed microSD Express Cards this year. If you want to get ahead of any potential Switch 2 storage woes, we've put together a brief list and explainer detailing the microSD Express options available now from SanDisk and Lexar. None of the current cards are themed around Nintendo franchises, but you'll probably save some cash by grabbing a non-branded one anyway.

• SanDisk 128GB microSD Express Card -- $45 ($50)
• SanDisk 256GB microSD Express Card -- $60 ($65)
• Lexar 256GB Play Pro microSD Express Card -- $50
• Lexar 512GB Play Pro microSD Express Card -- $100
• Lexar 1TB Play Pro microSD Express Card -- $200

For more on the new console, check out GameSpot's Nintendo Switch 2 preorder guide, which includes all of the first-party hardware and games featured in the Nintendo Direct. Preorders for the Switch 2, its accessories, and a bunch of launch games will open on April 9, and we're only two months out from the console's June 5 launch.