The Nintendo Switch 2 relies on speedier microSD Express Cards to store and run games, which can be pricey, and not everyone has the means to make the next-gen upgrade. If you're not ready to grab the best Nintendo Switch 2 MicroSD Express Cards, sticking with one of the best SD Cards can help rejuvenate your older Switch before you’re ready to make that next-gen leap.
Through our own testing, we worked out that the average first-party original Nintendo Switch game sits at around 6.7GB, so it's fairly easy to work out which size you need based on your current or future library. Indie games tend to be far smaller, so there's wiggle room here as well. The best Nintendo Switch SD cards can expand the older handheld all the way up to 2TB. Of course, very few Ninty fans need that much space, unless you're also fond of taking a lot of screenshots and video clips.
The Quick List
With space for around nine* full-sized first party games (but plenty more indies), this 64GB card is best for those just starting out.
You'll get around 18* first party games on this 128GB card - making it a solid choice for those who dabble in eShop downloads semi-regularly.
Typically, the smaller the storage capacity, the less expensive storage will be, but Amazon takes that to a whole new level with its Amazon Basics microSD line - which is pretty much as cheap as it gets.
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This 200GB card will fit somewhere between 25 and 30* full-sized titles, so it's best for those who buy the majority of their games digitally.
1TB is enough space hold roughly 150* first party games. That makes this Silicon Power option best for those who don't want to think about upping their storage in the future.
128GB is still enough space for around 18 first-party games - but this micro SD separates itself from the rest by sporting an official Super Mario design, making it the best looking microSD of the bunch.
While new to the GamesRadar+ hardware team, I've been reviewing and getting hands-on with the Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo tech almost during my entire time as a gaming tech writer. As someone whose Switch library is bursting at the seams, finding the perfect amount of extra storage is a fine art that should be shared.
The best Nintendo Switch SD card for a storage boost
✅You prioritize buying physical Switch carts: If you prefer your physical Switch games, an extra 64GB boost is perfectly fine to download any additional updates for your favorite first-party games.
❌You play mostly digital only: If you prefer to buy everything from the eShop, including the latest first-party Nintendo games, you're gonna need something with a larger storage capacity from the get-go.
❌You've got a huge Switch game backlog: Even though you can archive your digital downloads, if you like all your Switch games in one place, 64GB won't be enough for a large mix of both first-party and indie games.
❌You want to store games on the Switch 2: You can only save games to speedier microSD Express Cards when it comes to the Switch 2, so this won't cut it if you're ready to make that next-gen handheld upgrade.
64GB Nintendo Switch memory cards are about as small as you'll want to go. They double the storage space on an OLED device, but in the grand scheme of things they're still pretty restrictive. They are, however, the cheapest way to upgrade your storage.
It's a storage boost for those who generally buy cartridges rather than running full first party titles from the eShop, but still want to download a few smaller indies. If you're going for the big Ninty releases, you'll get somewhere between 7-10 games on here, depending on individual install sizes - but considering smaller experiences can barely leave the 1GB mark there's plenty more room for others.
A 64GB card isn't going to last forever, but if you don't want to spend too much cash on your first upgrade and won't be downloading more than a couple games a month over the next year or so then it's the cheapest way to go.
The best Nintendo Switch SD card for eShop fans
✅You're on a budget: Nintendo Switch-compatible SD cards keep getting more affordable, and fortunately, even with over 100GB of space, a 128GB card is still just a fraction of the cost of a brand-new Switch game.
❌You take a ton of screenshots and video clips: If you like your screenshots and short game clips, 128GB can fill up fast, and won't give you much extra room for your first-party Switch downloads on top of that.
Sandisk is one of the biggest and best names in MicroSD cards, and this is the best value model you can buy. For about $20 / £20 you get 128GB of storage, a reliable MicroSD card with decent file transfer speeds. Plus, you even get an adapter should you want to use this in an SD-based device like a digital camera or should you have the urge to transfer all of your favorite screenshots and video clips to your laptop. That makes it hugely versatile. Nintendo partnered with SanDisk for the official SD card for Switch, so it's a make Ninty trusts too. And yes, we have tested this MicroSD card and it 100% works with your Switch.
Best budget Nintendo Switch SD Card
✅ You don't care about the aesthetic of your storage: The Amazon Basics line doesn't have 'basic' in the name for no reason. This is a totally un-flashy microSD, which focuses on just providing that 256GB of storage and that's that.
❌ You'd rather get the 1TB version: Amazon has not just the 256GB microSD card at a budget-friendly cost, but this line goes up to 1TB if you need more space for your favorite Switch games.
The Amazon Basics line of microSD cards is as just like the name suggests - basic. The line only comes with all the basic necessitates of any microSD card, a pretty basic design and pretty basic speeds, but that's what helps keep costs low to make it best best SD card available for the original Switch today.
Modern microSD cards by brands like Sandisk can almost double the speeds of this card, even with the iconic storage tech brand's own 256GB equivalent card. But, it's pretty hard to out-do the Amazon Basics line when it comes to being budget friend, as this microSD manages to bring 256GB to the table while keeping costs below $20 / £20.
Again, this card's read and write speeds of 100MB/s and 90MB/s respectively are nothing to write home about. But if you're sticking to your original Switch and not making that next generational leap with the Nintendo Switch 2 because you have a strict budget to stick to, this is an ideal way to still get extra space for your games without breaking the bank.
The best Nintendo Switch SD card for eShop Pros
✅ You play a mix of physical and digital Switch games: Having a 200GB MicroSD card at your disposal is plenty for a mix of both updates for your physical games, and even digital versions of some of the biggest-sized Switch games available on the eShop.
❌You have a massive Switch backlog: If you prefer to keep every game on your Switch, no matter if you played it recently or not, 200GB may still not be enough for your ever-growing backlog of games.
Hitting the ‘Goldilocks window’ for Nintendo Switch SD cards (being more than big enough for most game storage needs, but remaining at a price that’s entirely fair), the 200GB SDXC will evaporate all your storage worries for a long time. For the price of roughly one AAA Nintendo Switch game, you’ll get a home for dozens and dozens more – you could fit Super Mario Odyssey on this thing 33 times. If you’re not on a particularly tight budget, and want a robust Nintendo Switch memory card that still won’t cost the Earth, this is the one to go for. It's worth noting that the cost of SD cards continues to fall, so you can pick this one up much cheaper today than it was 6 months ago, so it's worth stretching your budget a little.
The best Nintendo Switch SD card for future proofing
✅You want the biggest storage possible: MicroSD cards bigger than 1TB are still a bit of an anomaly, so this is your best bet for the largest extra space your Switch can handle. Unless you never archive a game on your Switch and download every first-party title the eShop has to offer, this will more than support your storage needs.
❌You're on a tight budget: MicroSD cards may get more affordable all the time, but 1TB is still going to set you back a lot of hard-earned cash. These high-capacity cards can cost upwards of two brand-new Switch games worth. That's a lot if you're already spending a lot on the latest releases.
If you're ever thinking about being completely, utterly, and totally future-proofed in terms of your Switch's capacity then the Silicon Power 1TB Superior SD card is for you. Yes, the 1TB capacity will mean it is a larger investment by default to begin with but the sheer value here is ridiculous, and you'll literally never have to worry about storage space again. Pop this in and even the most storage conscious of future-proof worried among us will have their minds eased.
With Nintendo still bringing out bangers, even though the Switch 2 is out in the wild, 1TB will have you more than prepared, especially if you prefer your digital downloads over physical carts. Whether it's The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Mario Party Jamboree, or Mario & Luigi: Brothership, you'll be at ease knowing 1TB will more than be enough for Nintendo's recent releases, and then some.
The Superior 1TB SD card also comes with an adapter so you're good to go with any kind of mobile device or laptop should you need to shift gears, and there's a five-year warranty so you can have peace of mind. Simple, massive stuff.
The best looking Nintendo Switch SD card
✅You want your microSD card to look its best: For those who need all of their gaming accessories to look the part, SanDisk created a line of cards officially licensed for the Switch that feature charming designs based on Nintendo properties, like this red Super Mario mushroom microSD card.
❌You don't want to pay more for a nice design: While this microSD card may look great, picking it up means you're paying slightly more just for the cute design. If you care more about the actual storage requirements and speeds, especially as you'll rarely see the SD card once it's actually in your Switch, then picking up the non-officially licensed equivalent is a better plan.
When it comes to the best microSD cards, how the card actually looks likely won't matter to everyone - especially where the Nintendo Switch is considered. Once you've inserted your microSD card into any model Switch, you're never going to see it again unless you frequently swap between multiple cards at a time.
Regardless, SanDisk and Nintendo thought of everything and have a whole line-up of officially licensed cards for those who care. This Super Mario mushroom design is just one of a whole array of microSD cards based on Nintendo properties, varying in all the usual storage variants you can imagine. Outside of the flashy designs, there's not much going on that separates them from their non-licensed counterparts.
This red microSD card still sports read and transfer speeds up to 100MB/s, write speeds up to 90MB/s, and 128GB worth of space for all your eShop game downloads. The only difference you'll find here is in its design, and if your microSD needs to look as flashy as your Switch case, then this, and the rest of the officially licensed Nintendo Switch memory card line, are the best looking cards you can get your hands on.
*Based on an average of 6.7GB per title, allowing for unusable storage space on the card itself
How to choose the best Nintendo Switch SD card
When it comes to choosing the best Nintendo Switch SD card for your Switch, you'll want to make sure you're getting the right memory card size for your playstyle and existing library.
For example, if you generally stick to indie games and smaller releases you'll be able to get away with a 64GB or 128GB card a lot easier than someone who plays all the first party games. Official Nintendo Switch games generally scale between 5GB and 10GB of space, and some can go a little beyond this as well. However, if you already know you prefer to buy most of your games physically you can scale down your required storage a little.
We'd recommend a 128GB or 200GB card for most users, giving you a good spread of first party downloads and bags of space for smaller installs. That's with a handful of physical games thrown in - if you're going all digital and regularly pick up new releases you might want to invest in a one-and-one 1TB option.
Of course, if you're a die-hard Nintendo collector, you can also pick between one of the official cards. The licenced SD cards feature iconography from the Super Mario Series, Animal Crossing and The Legend of Zelda, but I'd only recommend choosing these above the rest if you're a dedicated Ninty fan. They make look better than other cards, but their flashy looks comes at a higher price point than those of the exact same storage size.
The best Nintendo Switch SD Cards: FAQ
How big are Nintendo Switch games?
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It's easiest to find the right Nintendo Switch memory card when you know what you're going to be piling into it. You'll find the install sizes for the latest and greatest Nintendo Switch games just below. It's also worth noting that these are some of the largest titles on the eShop; smaller indie games can be as little as MBs in size. (The average size for a first party Nintendo title is around 6.7GB.)
- Mario & Luigi: Brothership - 9.9GB
- Splatoon 3 - 5.2GB
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land - 5.8GB
- Pokemon Legends Arceus - 6GB
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - 6.7GB
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - 13.4GB
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - 18.2GB
- The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword - 7.5GB
- The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom - 5.4GB
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons - 6.2GB
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - 13.6GB
- Metroid Dread - 4.1GB
- Luigi's Mansion 3 - 6.3GB
- Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury - 2.9GB
- Fire Emblem Engage - 18GB
- Monster Hunter Rise - 6.6GB
Does your Nintendo Switch need a microSD card?
No one really needs a microSD card. However, if you like to have many games installed on your Switch at one time, they can be a necessity.
Storage space on the Switch is limited, regardless of the model. The Switch with the biggest internal memory, the Nintendo Switch OLED, only comes with 64GB, which isn't a lot when you think about how demanding game sizes have gotten over the years. Having a microSD card on top of your internal storage can give you that extra freedom you need to install more games.
It's worth knowing that you can archive your downloads, which will help free up some space. However, if you're something who likes to record a lot of screen captures, and likes to be able to instantly play between a few installed games at a time, having a microSD card for your handheld is more than ideal.
Is the Nintendo Switch compatible with 4TB microSD cards?
The short answer of this question is simply, no. The Nintendo Switch only supports up microSD cards up to 2TB. This is due to the fact that any SD cards bigger in size typically use the SDUC format which not compatible with the handheld. The first-generation Switch (Switch/Switch Lite/Switch OLED) is compatible with cards using the SDXC format, which max out at 2TB.
Can the Switch 2 read older microSD cards?
You are not be able to use your older microSD cards with the Switch 2 to transfer, and run Switch games, like any of the cards listed above. However, you can use your current microSD card to transfer screenshots and video footage to the brand-new handheld - especially during a system transfer.
Are official Nintendo Switch SD cards worth it?
SanDisk partnered with Nintendo to bring official versions of its MicroSD cards to market. There is a range of different sizes on offer, starting at 64GB and now spanning all the way up to 1TB, all featuring icons from different Nintendo franchises on the card itself. These official Nintendo Switch memory cards just aren't worth it, though. Besides from some fancy colors they're essentially the same as SanDisk's main range, but generally cost a little extra. You won't see that cute Animal Crossing leaf when it's whirring away inside your console, after all.
What is the maximum Nintendo Switch SD card size?
The Nintendo Switch can only run up to 2TB of additional storage in an SD card. However, it should be noted that that's a ton of space, so you'll certainly have to be an eShop pro to fill it to the brim.
Which SD cards are compatible with Nintendo Switch?
The Nintendo Switch is compatible with microSDXC cards over 64GB and microSDHC cards between 4GB and 32GB. That really means that pretty much any SD card you have will slot neatly into your console already. However, if you're buying new it's always recommended to grab one with a Class 1 UHS Speed (you'll see a small bucket with a one inside it on the card itself) for the best experience.
Nintendo Switch memory card glossary
Even smaller plug and play SD cards like the kind used in the Nintendo Switch can come with a plethora of terms to make the whole buying process more difficult. We're breaking down common jargon here, to make sure you know exactly what you're buying.
If you want to get more value out of your older Switch handheld, you'll find all the best Nintendo Switch chargers available now, as well as the best Nintendo Switch headsets. We're also rounding up all the best Nintendo Switch controllers and the latest Nintendo Switch game deals as well.
