PNY microSD Express Cards for Nintendo Switch 2 Released Ahead of Console Launch

Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2 promises 4K visuals in docked mode and a beefier 256GB of internal storage. But there’s a catch: if you want to expand that storage, you’ll need a microSD Express card—a new, blazing-fast format that’s leaving old-school microSD cards in the dust.

Nintendo has made it clear that the Switch 2 demands a specific kind of storage. Unlike its predecessor, which happily accepted standard microSD cards, the new console requires microSD Express cards to keep up with its advanced capabilities. “The Nintendo Switch 2 only supports microSD Express cards for expandable storage to ensure optimal performance for next-generation games,” Nintendo stated in a recent press release. The choice reflects the Nintendo Switch 2’s demand for rapid data transfer to support visually demanding games and cut down on load times. Even high-speed microSD cards, such as UHS-I or UHS-II models, fall short of the bandwidth required for the console’s goals, like handling intricate game assets or enabling 4K textures in docked mode.

So, what’s the deal with microSD Express? At its essence, it’s a supercharged version of the microSD card you might already know, but with a secret weapon: it uses PCIe Gen3 x1 technology, the same kind found in modern SSDs. This allows microSD Express cards to hit read speeds up to 890MB/s and write speeds up to 750MB/s—about 4.4 times faster than the UHS-I cards used in the original Switch. For context, downloading a chunky 23.4GB game like Mario Kart World on a standard UHS-I card might feel like waiting for a kettle to boil. PNY’s cards are available in 128GB for $44.99 and 256GB for $55.99.

Speed isn’t the only perk. PNY has engineered these cards to stay cool during marathon gaming sessions, a critical feature for a handheld like the Switch 2 that lacks fans or hefty cooling systems. “Our microSD Express cards are crafted with unique heat dissipation designs and built-in thermal monitoring,” PNY explained in their May 21, 2025, announcement. This means the cards adjust performance on the fly to prevent overheating, keeping your Donkey Kong Bananza sessions (a svelte 10GB) running without a hitch. Durability is another feather in their cap—PNY’s cards are magnet-proof, shock-proof, waterproof, drop-proof, X-ray-proof, humidity-proof, and wear-out-proof, backed by a lifetime limited warranty.

Backward compatibility adds a layer of versatility. While the Switch 2 insists on microSD Express for its storage slot, PNY’s cards play nice with older devices like the original Switch or other gadgets that use UHS-I or UHS-II slots. Nintendo emphasized this flexibility: “microSD Express cards maintain compatibility with existing microSD devices, allowing gamers to use them across their preferred consoles.” So, if you’re not ready to retire your old Switch, you can still pop PNY’s card into it, though it’ll run at the slower UHS-I or UHS-II speeds.
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