If you haven`t yet acquired a microSD Express card for your Nintendo Switch 2, you should definitely consider the 512GB SanDisk Gameplay available at Walmart. This card boasts the identical specifications as the $120 SanDisk model found on Amazon, Best Buy, and other Walmart stores. The crucial difference, however, lies in its price: the SanDisk Gameplay 512GB microSD Express is remarkably priced at just $78.
The SanDisk Gameplay is exclusively sold at Walmart. Due to its unique availability and attractive pricing, this card has frequently sold out in recent weeks. As of August 22, it is back in stock. The SanDisk Gameplay is one of only two 512GB microSD Express cards currently priced under $100. The other option comes from Onn, Walmart`s own budget tech brand. The 512GB Onn microSD Express card costs merely $65.77. If you anticipate needing less additional storage, Onn`s 256GB model is available for just $35.77, which is approximately $25 cheaper than the officially licensed Samsung 256GB microSD Express Card.
Onn Express cards tend to sell out regularly, but Walmart consistently replenishes its inventory. It`s worth noting that these cards are sometimes sold only to customers in specific US regions, so local availability may fluctuate daily.
MicroSD Express Cards for Nintendo Switch 2
Below, we`ve compiled a list of all microSD Express cards we could locate at Walmart and Amazon. Currently, the only officially licensed option is the 256GB Samsung microSD Express. SanDisk is also developing its own Nintendo-themed edition, but its release date remains unknown, as does whether it will offer capacities beyond 256GB. The microSD Express market is still nascent, but the Switch 2 marks its debut as a major consumer device utilizing this ultra-fast format. The variety of available options has multiplied significantly since Nintendo announced that the Switch 2 requires microSD Express for storage expansion.
MicroSD Express Cards Available 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 Cards Available on 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 (previously $75)
- Addlink TurboPlay 512GB microSD Express — $114.44
Nintendo Switch 2 Storage Space: A Quick Disappearing Act
The Nintendo Switch 2 features a built-in 256GB SSD. On the surface, this represents a significant upgrade, being four times larger than the Switch OLED (64GB) and eight times larger than the original Switch and Switch Lite (32GB). However, the Switch 2`s capacity to run more graphically demanding games also translates to larger file sizes. For instance, the upcoming Switch 2 exclusive Kirby Air Riders is listed at 25GB, the Switch 2 edition of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is 20GB, and Mario Kart World is 22GB.
You can preserve your valuable storage space for first-party games by opting for physical editions, as Nintendo-published games typically include the complete game file on the cartridge. For third-party titles, with rare exceptions like Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, physical games for Switch 2 utilize “Game-Key Cards.” These are low-capacity cards that essentially act as unlock keys, requiring you to download the game from the eShop. Consequently, even if you purchase a physical edition of Madden NFL 26, you will still need to download the majority of its 55.3GB file from the eShop. Many prominent upcoming Switch 2 games that feature Game-Key Card editions also boast substantial file sizes, including Borderlands 4 (48.8GB), Persona 3 Reload (25.4GB), and Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero (25GB).
Due to the prevalence of Game-Key Cards and the increased file sizes for AAA games, some Nintendo Switch 2 owners will find their storage space depleting more rapidly than they did on the original Switch.
MicroSD Express: What Is It?
The Express format is a recent technological advancement in the semiconductor industry that has not yet seen widespread adoption by manufacturers. If you`re curious why Express cards appear costly compared to the UHS-I cards used with the original Switch console and most other devices, the answer lies in their superior speeds. For example, a SanDisk Ultra 512GB microSD Card offers read speeds of up to 150MB/s, whereas the SanDisk Gameplay 512GB Express Card achieves 880MB/s—nearly six times faster. Express cards are notably quicker than SATA SSDs; understanding this context makes their pricing more logical.
Below is a more detailed look at many of the microSD Express Cards from the lists provided earlier.
Detailed Overview of MicroSD Express Cards for Nintendo Switch 2
Samsung microSD Express 256GB for Nintendo Switch 2
Price: $59
- Read: 800MB/s
- Write: 400MB/s
Samsung`s officially licensed model features a Mario red color scheme and an `M` logo. Unsurprisingly, it`s by far the most popular microSD Express Card for the Switch 2. Samsung and SanDisk are widely considered the top brands for microSD cards. Since SanDisk`s Nintendo-licensed card isn`t yet available, Samsung stands as the sole “official” option. Priced at $60—or $59 at Walmart—the Samsung microSD Express is significantly more affordably priced than the expensive Nintendo-themed SanDisk cards designed for the original Switch. If you opt for a 256GB Express card, we recommend this one or the Onn Express Card at Walmart, provided it`s available in your region. The Walmart-branded card saves you about $25 and technically offers superior specifications. While read speeds on this list range from 800-900MB/s, you`re unlikely to notice a practical difference between Samsung`s 800MB/s and Lexar`s 900MB/s. The Nintendo-licensed Samsung card exhibits the slowest write speed on this list. While this might sound detrimental at first, it actually highlights what`s truly important and what isn`t. If the officially licensed card can write at 400MB/s, it implies that the Switch 2 doesn`t benefit from higher write speeds. Although it won`t impact Switch 2 performance, if you consider upgrading to a higher-capacity card later and repurposing this one for another Express-compatible device, write speeds could become a more significant factor. Nevertheless, 400MB/s is still quite fast.
SanDisk Gameplay 512GB microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2
Price: $78 (Walmart Exclusive)
- Read: 880MB/s
- Write: 650MB/s
- Sustained Write: 220MB/s
As mentioned, the SanDisk Gameplay 512GB microSD Express Card is currently exclusive to Walmart. It appears to be a special edition with minor branding alterations. The standard SanDisk model displays “microSD Express” across its red stripe, whereas this version features “Gameplay” on the red stripe and “Express” below it to the right. Do these cosmetic differences matter? Not in the slightest. What truly matters is that the SanDisk Gameplay is technically and performance-wise identical to the regular 512GB model. Yet, you save approximately $40 by choosing the Gameplay version. The 512GB Gameplay model is only $6 more expensive than the 256GB standard edition and less than $20 more than the 128GB model. The Gameplay edition is exclusively available in 512GB capacity. If you`re leaning towards SanDisk, the Gameplay is the clear choice. Among 512GB microSD Express Cards, only Walmart`s Onn brand is cheaper, though it may not always be available in all regions and offers slightly slower speeds.
Onn microSD Express Cards for Nintendo Switch 2
Prices: 256GB – $35.77 | 512GB – $65.77
- Read: 800MB/s
- Write: 600MB/s
A note on availability: these cards frequently sell out and are sometimes only accessible in specific regions across the US. If you`re interested in purchasing one, we recommend checking Walmart daily, as both models have sold out numerous times since the Switch 2`s launch. Onn, Walmart`s proprietary tech brand, is known for its budget-friendly pricing, a trend that continues with its microSD Express Cards. The 256GB model is the most affordable microSD Express Card available today. The 512GB edition costs less than most 256GB Express cards from competing brands. If these prices seem too good to be true, it`s worth noting that these cards are manufactured by Lexar. Onn cards share the same write speed as the Lexar Play Pro, though the Play Pro boasts a 100MB/s faster read speed. Nevertheless, the 512GB Lexar model costs nearly double. Anecdotally, I`ve been using the 512GB model since launch day without encountering any issues. Walmart asserts that the cards are “water, shock, temperature, and magnet proof.” Your purchase includes a one-year limited warranty.
SanDisk microSD Express Cards for Nintendo Switch 2
Available Capacities: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB
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128GB
- Read: 880MB/s
- Write: 480MB/s
- Sustained Write: 100MB/s
-
256GB
- Read: 880MB/s
- Write: 650MB/s
- Sustained Write: 210MB/s
-
512GB
- Read: 880MB/s
- Write: 650MB/s
- Sustained Write: 220MB/s
SanDisk`s standard microSD Express Card is available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB models. All three capacities offer an identical 880MB/s read speed, but, as indicated above, there are variations in write and sustained write speeds. Currently, the prices for all three are quite high compared to other cards on this list. Ironically, the primary reason these don`t offer strong value is the existence of SanDisk`s 512GB Gameplay Express Card. SanDisk is expected to release a Nintendo-licensed microSD Express Card featuring a Mario red color scheme and logo, but a release date has not yet been announced. We do know that this licensed edition will be the same card with a different aesthetic, similar to the SanDisk Gameplay situation.
Lexar microSD Express Cards for Nintendo Switch 2
Available Capacities: 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB models
- Read: 900MB/s
- Write: 600MB/s
The Lexar Play Pro is currently the only microSD Express Card from a major brand that offers a 1TB model. The 1TB Play Pro frequently sells out, and restocks of the $200 card are quickly snatched up. We`ve even found a listing on Walmart for a 2TB Play Pro, so it will be interesting to see its pricing.
PNY microSD Express Cards for Nintendo Switch 2
Prices: 128GB – $44.41 | 256GB – $53.32
- Read: 890MB/s
- Write: 550MB/s
PNY, a popular budget tech brand, offers 128GB and 256GB microSD Express Cards. Both models are the most affordable in their respective capacities on Amazon.
GameStop`s microSD Express Cards for Nintendo Switch 2
Available Capacities: 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB models
- Read: 800MB/s
- Write: Unavailable
GameStop also sells its own branded microSD Express Cards. The manufacturer of these cards is unknown, and we advise caution as the write speed is not listed on the product page. While read speed is generally most critical for the Switch 2, we would never recommend purchasing a storage device without knowing its write speed. Furthermore, you can find 256GB and 512GB models from reputable brands at lower prices. GameStop is one of the few companies offering a 1TB model, but it is almost always sold out. The 512GB model also routinely sells out. We suspect this is due to very small production runs rather than overwhelming popularity, as these cards have only a handful of customer reviews.
TeamGroup Apex microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2
Prices: 128GB – $48 | 512GB – $115
- Read: 800MB/s
- Write: 500MB/s
TeamGroup is a well-regarded budget manufacturer of microSD cards. The Apex represents TeamGroup`s first card utilizing Express technology. The Apex has only been available for a few weeks, but both the 128GB and 512GB models are worth monitoring for potential price drops. TeamGroup`s prices are often noticeably lower than competitors. While this isn`t currently the case, we wouldn`t be surprised if that changes in the future. For example, TeamGroup`s A2 Pro Plus 1TB microSD card regularly sells for around $60. To be clear, the A2 Pro does not work on Switch 2—though it is a solid option for the original Switch and Steam Deck.