All microSD playing cards look just about the identical, however in the case of shopping for the precise one in your Nintendo Swap 2, solely microSD Categorical playing cards will work for storing and taking part in video games. The microSD card you utilized in your authentic Swap or Swap Lite will provide restricted performance with Nintendo’s new handheld, as it’ll solely allow you to view screenshots or video clips you captured beforehand — that’s it.
That’s as a result of Nintendo opted for a considerably sooner spec in its new handheld console, which boasts an marketed 4.4x enchancment when it comes to switch speeds over the microSD playing cards you would possibly have already got mendacity round. That enchancment is signified by a small, easy-to-miss “EX” emblem etched onto the entrance of the cardboard.
What’s tougher to overlook is how rather more costly Categorical playing cards are, with some costing greater than $50 for simply 256GB of storage. The Swap 2 helps microSD Categorical playing cards as much as 2TB in measurement, though 1TB is the biggest capability broadly accessible (that’s an overstatement, as many are bought out at the moment), with some playing cards promoting for as much as $200 a pop. Phew. I suppose it is smart that they’re pricier since they’re categorized as bonafide PCIe NVMe SSDs by the SD Association. Walmart’s Onn label is a beacon of sunshine, as its microSD Categorical playing cards are considerably cheaper than the competitors, with its 512GB model costing $65.88 when it’s in inventory.
Fortunately, because the Swap 2 has 256GB of built-in storage, you almost certainly received’t want a microSD Categorical card instantly upon receiving your console. Getting a microSD card was a ceremony of passage with the unique Swap since all variations, other than the newer OLED version that launched in 2021, got here with simply 32GB.
Should you’re available in the market for certainly one of these pricier storage enlargement playing cards forward of the console’s launch, we’ve listed the accessible choices beneath.