Switch 2 1TB MicroSD Express Card Restocked

Storage is a perennial concern with new gaming consoles, particularly when they demand novel, hard-to-find storage formats. The Nintendo Switch 2 exemplifies this. MicroSD cards used with the original Switch are incompatible with the Switch 2, which requires the newer, faster microSD Express format. These cards are fresh to the market, and the Switch 2's launch strained global supplies. However, after being scarce for much of the console's availability, the 1TB Lexar microSD Express card is back in stock at Amazon. Priced at $219.99, it's certainly not cheap, but that reflects the current market rate for high-capacity microSD Express cards.

1TB Lexar microSD Express Card Is Currently Available

1TB Lexar Play PRO microSD Express Card

$219.99 at Amazon

Please note: Shipping times for this item are slightly delayed, and have slipped by a day since this article was started. This suggests inventory may be limited, so it could sell out again.

The Switch 2 console includes only 256GB of internal storage, which many modern games can fill rather quickly. While Nintendo's first-party titles are often reasonably sized—Mario Kart World is 22 GB, and Donkey Kong Bananza is just 9 GB—third-party games can be substantially larger. For instance, Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition requires 60 GB, and Split Fiction needs 69 GB.

Therefore, it's great news that adding significant storage to your Switch 2 is finally possible. A 1TB microSD Express card provides a massive amount of space, though the cost is undeniably high. Prices will likely decrease over time, similar to the trend with standard microSD cards during the original Switch's era. But if you need a large-capacity microSD Express card immediately, be prepared for a significant expense.

This investment is particularly crucial for the Switch 2 due to its storage model. Even games purchased physically might not be fully contained on the cartridge. Many physical Switch 2 games are "game-key cards"—cartridges you insert, but which only hold a license key to download and play the digital version. Other physical boxes may contain only a download code. This can be confusing, but Nintendo places a prominent explanation on any physical game box that doesn't include the complete game on the cartridge itself.

For more details, explore our recommendations for the best microSD cards for the Switch 2 (the aforementioned Lexar card is our top choice).