Nintendo's recent confirmation that the Switch 2 will exclusively support MicroSD Express cards has sparked discussion among gamers. While requiring these faster cards means existing MicroSD collections won't be compatible, the performance benefits justify this strategic decision.
Understanding the Speed Advantage
MicroSD Express represents a significant leap forward from traditional storage options. While standard MicroSD cards evolved from initial 12.5MB/s speeds to UHS-III's 312MB/s maximum, they remained constrained by older interfaces. MicroSD Express breaks this barrier by adopting the PCIe 3.1 interface - the same technology powering NVMe SSDs. This architecture enables theoretical speeds up to 985MB/s - triple the performance of traditional high-speed MicroSD cards.
Technical Rationale Behind Nintendo's Decision
Three key factors explain Nintendo's storage requirements:
- Performance Parity: Matching the internal UFS storage's speed ensures consistent game loading regardless of installation location
- Future-Proofing: Leaves headroom for upcoming storage technology developments during the console's lifecycle
- Eliminating Bottlenecks: Prevents storage from limiting next-gen game design possibilities
Early demonstrations already showcase dramatically reduced load times - up to 65% faster when fast traveling according to initial reports. These improvements stem from both the upgraded storage architecture and more powerful processing components.
Current Market Availability
The MicroSD Express ecosystem is still developing, with limited options currently available:
- Lexar Play Pro: Available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB capacities (1TB priced at $199)
- SanDisk: Currently offers only a 256GB model
While selection is limited at launch, industry analysts expect wider availability and increased capacities as major manufacturers respond to the Switch 2's market impact. The transition may require early adopters to plan their storage purchases carefully, but ensures optimal performance throughout the console's lifespan.
