Nintendo Switch 2 requires microSD Express cards for storage upgrades

Storage demands and console limitations

The Nintendo Switch 2 will include 256GB of internal storage, with roughly 249GB available to users after accounting for system software. This leaves limited room for modern games, many of which now exceed 60GB in size. For example, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade requires 90.4GB, Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Split Fiction each need 69GB, and Resident Evil Requiem demands nearly 29GB.

Digital game pricing and delivery methods are also shifting. Some first-party Nintendo titles now cost more in physical formats than digital, and certain Switch 2 releases use Game-Key Cards. These cards require users to download the game to the console rather than running it directly from the cartridge, further straining internal storage.

microSD Express: A new requirement

The Switch 2 will not support standard microSD cards, a departure from the original Switch. Instead, it requires microSD Express cards, which offer faster speeds but are currently more expensive and harder to find. The console officially supports cards up to 2TB, though the largest available today is 1TB.

A 256GB microSD Express card costs around $60, while 1TB cards sell for several hundred dollars. Users with existing microSD cards from the original Switch can only use them to transfer screenshots and videos to the new console’s internal memory, not for game storage or expansions.

Nintendo recommends using a single microSD Express card to avoid compatibility issues, as software spread across multiple cards may not function properly.

Unlike the internal storage, game save data cannot be stored on microSD Express cards. This means users must manage both the console’s built-in memory and external storage carefully.

How this fits with earlier Switch 2 coverage

Earlier reporting from TechRadar highlighted the release of the limited-edition Nintendo Switch 2 - The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition, along with a list of eight recommended accessories. While the accessories included standard peripherals like controllers and cases, none addressed the Switch 2’s storage requirements or the shift to microSD Express cards.

This change aligns with broader trends in consumer electronics, where premium storage solutions are increasingly tied to higher costs. For comparison, Samsung’s Galaxy phones have faced criticism for preloaded bloatware consuming storage, though users at least have the option to uninstall or disable many of those apps—a flexibility not available for the Switch 2’s system software.

What this means

Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.

Nintendo’s decision to require microSD Express cards for the Switch 2 reflects a trade-off between performance and cost. While the faster storage standard future-proofs the console for larger games and faster load times, it also raises the barrier to entry for users who may not want to invest in expensive, niche storage solutions. For those planning to build a digital library, the limited internal storage and restrictions on save data could make storage management a persistent headache.

For founders and operators in gaming hardware or storage, this shift signals an opportunity. The microSD Express market is still emerging, and the Switch 2’s adoption could drive demand for more affordable, higher-capacity options. It also underscores the importance of designing products with clear storage roadmaps—users are increasingly wary of hardware that locks them into proprietary or hard-to-find upgrades.

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