Great Deals on MicroSD Express Cards for Nintendo Switch 2

Looking to expand your Nintendo Switch 2 storage? The SanDisk Gameplay 512GB microSD Express card at Walmart is a standout deal at just $78. This exclusive Walmart offering boasts identical specifications to the pricier $120 SanDisk card available at other major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy, making its lower price point a significant advantage.

The SanDisk Gameplay is a Walmart exclusive and has frequently sold out due to its popularity and aggressive pricing. As of August 22, it is currently available. It`s also one of only two 512GB microSD Express cards priced below $100. The other option comes from Onn, Walmart’s own budget electronics brand, offering a 512GB microSD Express for an even lower price of $65.77. For those requiring less storage, Onn also provides a 256GB model for just $35.77, making it about $25 cheaper than the official Samsung 256GB microSD Express Card.

Onn Express cards are popular and frequently sell out, though Walmart regularly restocks them. Availability can vary by region, so checking local stock often is recommended.

Essential microSD Express Cards for Nintendo Switch 2

Below, we`ve compiled a comprehensive list of all available microSD Express cards at major retailers like Walmart and Amazon. Currently, the 256GB Samsung microSD Express is the only officially licensed option, though SanDisk is expected to release its own Nintendo-themed card soon. The microSD Express market is rapidly expanding, driven by the Nintendo Switch 2`s adoption of this ultra-fast storage format for its memory expansion needs.

MicroSD Express Card Options at Walmart

• Samsung 256GB microSD Express (Nintendo Edition) – $59
• SanDisk GamePlay 512GB microSD Express – $78
• Onn 256GB microSD Express – $35.77
• Onn 512GB microSD Express – $65.77
• TeamGroup Apex 512GB microSD Express – $115
• SanDisk 128GB microSD Express – $60
• SanDisk 256GB microSD Express – $73
• SanDisk 512GB microSD Express – $120
• PNY 256GB microSD Express – $53.32
• Lexar 256GB Play Pro microSD Express – $60
• Lexar 512GB Play Pro microSD Express – $120
• Lexar 1TB Play Pro microSD Express – $200
• Lexar 2TB Play Pro microSD Express – TBA

MicroSD Express Card Options at Amazon

• Samsung 256GB microSD Express (Nintendo Edition) – $60
• PNY 128GB microSD Express – $44.41
• PNY 256GB microSD Express – $53.32
• Lexar 256GB Play Pro microSD Express – $60
• Lexar 512GB Play Pro microSD Express – $120
• Lexar 1TB Play Pro microSD Express – $200
• TeamGroup Apex 128GB microSD Express – $48
• TeamGroup Apex 512GB microSD Express – $120
• SanDisk 128GB microSD Express – $60
• SanDisk 256GB microSD Express – $72
• SanDisk 512GB microSD Express – $116.69
• Gigastone 128GB microSD Express – $70
• Gigastone 512GB microSD Express – $160
• Adata 256GB Premier microSD Express – $63
• Addlink TurboPlay 512GB microSD Express – $114.44

Why Nintendo Switch 2 Storage Fills Up Quickly

While the Nintendo Switch 2 boasts a significant upgrade with its 256GB internal SSD—four times larger than the Switch OLED and eight times larger than the original Switch—its capacity can still quickly diminish. This is largely due to the console`s ability to handle more graphically demanding games, which come with substantially larger file sizes. Upcoming titles like the Switch 2 exclusive Kirby Air Riders (25GB), Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Switch 2 edition, 20GB), and Mario Kart World (22GB) exemplify this trend.

While purchasing physical editions of Nintendo-published games can help preserve storage, as they often contain the full game data on the cartridge, third-party titles operate differently. With few exceptions, physical releases for Switch 2 third-party games utilize `Game-Key Cards.` These are low-capacity cards that primarily function as activation keys, requiring players to download the full game from the eShop. For instance, a physical copy of Madden NFL 26 would still necessitate downloading most of its 55.3GB file. Similarly, many anticipated Switch 2 games using Game-Key Cards, such as Borderlands 4 (48.8GB), Persona 3 Reload (25.4GB), and Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero (25GB), also feature significant file sizes.

Consequently, the combination of Game-Key Cards and the larger file sizes typical of AAA titles means that many Nintendo Switch 2 owners will find their storage capacity diminishing much more rapidly compared to the original Switch.

Understanding microSD Express Technology

MicroSD Express represents a cutting-edge development in semiconductor technology, though its widespread adoption is still emerging. The higher cost of these cards, compared to the UHS-I cards used in the original Switch and most other devices, is directly attributable to their vastly superior speeds. For instance, a SanDisk Ultra 512GB microSD Card offers read speeds of up to 150MB/s, whereas the SanDisk Gameplay 512GB Express Card achieves an impressive 880MB/s—nearly six times faster. Given that Express cards even outperform many SATA SSDs, their price point becomes more justifiable within this performance context.

Below, we delve into more details for some of the prominent microSD Express cards available, highlighting their specifications and unique selling points.