Rarely used microSD Express cards sell out in Japan after the unveiling of the Switch 2

Nintendo Switch 2 unveils microSD Express card requirement, sparking Japan sales surge.

: Nintendo Switch 2's launch has necessitated the use of microSD Express cards, causing a sales surge in Japan for these storage units. These cards, produced now only by SanDisk and Lexar, offer faster read/write speeds of up to 900 MB/s, essential for enhanced gaming experiences on the new console. Previous card formats like SDHC and UHS-II pale in comparison, with speeds capping at 90 MB/s. With big-name games like Elden Ring requiring significant storage, the demand for these specialized cards is set to grow.

The Nintendo Switch 2 has generated excitement in the gaming community with its announcement that it will exclusively use microSD Express cards for external storage. Prior to this announcement, microSD Express cards were a largely niche product with limited utility, given their higher production costs and lack of supported devices. Markedly, since Nintendo's reveal, these cards have been flying off virtual shelves in Japan, as gamers anticipate the console's release.

Nintendo's technically advanced Switch 2 promises significantly reduced load times by utilizing the microSD Express standard, which boasts read/write speeds of up to 900 MB/s. This performance enhancement is critical for an optimum gaming experience in titles demanding more intensive processing power, such as the new Legend of Zelda iteration where scenes load in approximately five seconds as opposed to the original 13 seconds.

Availability, however, is restricted due to the limited number of manufacturers producing microSD Express cards. Currently, these are offered only by SanDisk and Lexar, with SanDisk pricing their cards at $50 for 128 GB and Lexar providing 512 GB variants for $100. Despite previous announcements from competitors like Samsung and Western Digital regarding future offerings, no widespread availability has yet been realized, potentially due to production logistics or supply chain constraints.

The necessity for these cards arises from future projections that digital and physical game libraries will expand storage requirements. Iconic epic games, including Street Fighter 6 and Elden Ring, are expected to push the internal storage limits of the console, which sits at a standard of 256 GB. Meanwhile, Nintendo’s proprietary titles remain relatively small in size, with Mario Kart World occupying just 23.4 GB and Donkey Kong Bananza around 10 GB.

As the Switch 2 looms over the gaming horizon, the need for rapid memory solutions underscores an industry shift toward embracing advanced storage solutions. This adoption marks a significant opportunity for manufacturers willing to pivot production in favor of the rapidly growing console gaming market.

Sources: TechSpot, Hermitage Akihabara, Amazon

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