When Nintendo unveiled the Switch 2, they highlighted that gamers would need cards based on the new microSD Express standard to boost their console’s memory. This announcement sent buyers rushing, quickly clearing out both online and brick-and-mortar retailers. In fact, a store in Japan, Hermitage Akihabara, was reportedly seeing over 337 of these cards flying off the shelves every hour, leaving many amazed given the hefty price tag on microSD Express cards compared to the standard ones.
Be Prepared to Pay the Price for Speed
The regular Lexar 1TB Play microSD card usually goes for $129.99 on Amazon but is currently marked down to $69.99. This card offers decent speeds, reading at up to 160 MB/s and writing at 100 MB/s. While these speeds are sufficient, they don’t quite match the device’s internal storage capabilities. Now, stepping into the world of microSD Express, the Lexar 1TB Play Pro card boasts an impressive read speed of 900 MB/s and a write speed of 600 MB/s. That’s more than five times faster than the regular version! Yet, speed comes at a price. Originally listed at $199.99, the Play Pro is now down to $172.63 but is still more than double the cost of its non-Express counterpart.
No Scalping Frenzy Here
While the requirement for microSD Express cards for the Switch 2 means users are digging deeper into their wallets, demand is through the roof. Interestingly, despite the surge in purchases, this isn’t a case of rampant scalping. Reports indicate that about 80% of buyers picked up just one card, with the upper limit being only three per customer. Hence, it’s safe to say that these purchases are primarily made by end-users getting prepped for Nintendo’s latest console.
The Appeal and Challenge of microSD Express
Though microSD Express cards have been around since 2019, they haven’t seen widespread use mostly due to their cost, especially when compared to regular microSD cards for portable storage and SSDs for larger, stationary needs. While many gaming systems allow users to increase storage by swapping out the SSD, it’s not just plug-and-play and can involve tweaking settings and removing panels.
Nintendo, known for discouraging hardware modifications, has positioned microSD Express cards as the simplest way to boost the Switch 2’s storage in a manner that offers performance on par with internal memory. This upgrade seems essential too, with several high-demand AAA games set to hit the console, easily maxing out its built-in 256 GB storage. With these cards, you’ll have your entire roster of favorite games ready to roll at any time on your Switch 2.
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