Summary
- The Switch 2 will need a day-one update for microSD Express card support.
- The day-one patch may also include full support for 3D audio, which Nintendo previously said will require a patch to work with the console's built-in speakers.
- Non-Express microSD cards won't work with the Switch 2, but the new console should be less reliant on expandable storage than its predecessor on account of having 8 times more flash memory—256 GB.
The Nintendo Switch 2 will require a day-one update to use microSD Express cards, its retail packaging confirms. At least one other Switch 2 feature will also require a post-launch update instead of working out of the box.
The Switch 2's microSD Express card support was leaked even before the console itself was officially announced in mid-January 2025. Compared to the older UHS-I specification used by the original Switch, the microSD Express standard supports theoretical transfer speeds of up to approximately 985 MB/s—a tenfold improvement. It also offers a significantly higher theoretical storage capacity, supporting up to 128 terabytes compared to the 2 TB limit of UHS-I microSD cards. However, Nintendo's support pages state the Switch 2 will only allow for up to 2 TB of expandable storage, at least at launch.
Switch 2 Stock is Starting to Arrive at Retailers
The Nintendo Switch 2 is now days from release, and some retailers are already getting their shipments of the console for the big launch.
While the original Switch supported microSD cards out of the box, its successor will require a software update to enable expandable storage. Nintendo confirmed this in early April 2025 but did not provide further details at the time. More recently, Famiboards user pelusilla6 shared a real-life photo of the Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle, whose box confirms that the necessary update will be available at launch.
Switch 2's Day-One Update May Include Multiple Features
Nintendo previously revealed that full 3D audio support on the Switch 2 will require a software update as well. While the console will technically support the feature out of the box, this only applies to external output devices, such as headphones or a TV in docked mode. The post-launch update is intended to enable 3D audio through the console's built-in speakers. The console’s official packaging does not indicate whether this patch will also be available at launch. However, Nintendo's prior statements suggested that the 3D audio and microSD Express update are one and the same.
The Switch 2's microSD Express support won't be an optional upgrade; while the new cards share the same physical dimensions as their UHS-I predecessors, they will not function if inserted into the new console. The silver lining is that the Switch 2 will be less reliant on expandable storage than its predecessor. With 256 GB of flash memory, the device offers eight times the storage capacity of the original Switch. Although game install sizes tend to increase with each hardware generation, the console should still provide enough space to accommodate at least a handful of day-one titles without requiring a microSD Express card.
The Switch 2 is scheduled for release on June 5, with a retail price of $449.99. In the United States, the Mario Kart World bundle is priced at $499.99 and offers the most cost-effective way to purchase the game, which will be sold separately for $79.99.
- Brand
- Nintendo
- Operating System
- Proprietary
- Storage
- 256GB internal / MicroSD
- Resolution
- 1080p (handheld) / 4K (docked)
- App Store
- Nintendo eShop
- Wi-Fi
- Yes