I'm not gonna make a splash by pretending that 13.1 GB is a lot of space. As it's simply not, especially when you consider that games like Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade demand 90.4 GB instead.
Yet, if your handheld is already struggling to make room, there's every chance you might want to make sure you have one of the best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express Cards in your corner. Savings of these speedy storage options pop up all the time, but the fluctuating costs of SSDs have had their effect on these cards too, making it hard to decipher what's actually a reasonable price worth grabbing.
I've waded my way through the sea of current discounted Switch 2 compatible cards and picked out the three I'd grab if I were looking for 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB worth of space. That way, you should be sorted when Splatoon Raiders launches on July 23, and for all the Switch 2 games that 2026 still has to bring to the surface.
The first wave of Switch 2 microSD Express Cards launched for $54.99 from Samsung and SanDisk and are usually the ones I recommend first and foremost. However, they very rarely budge from their $59.99 (Amazon) price tag, and so you're much better off settling for this PNY alternative instead if you want a bargain. That is, if you're okay going without the fancy Super Mario branding.
The PNY alternative I've listed first above provides the same additional 256GB worth of space. Not to mention that it boasts similar faster 890MB/s read and up to 750MB/s write speeds compared to the Samsung 256GB microSD Express Card's quoted 800 MB/s.
For those after a bit more, as of typing, PNY has also dropped $20 off the next capacity up - its 512GB card. Being able to add an extra 512GB to your Switch 2 for under the $100 mark is pretty unheard of these days, especially when alternatives like Lexar have their equivalent model for $199.99 at Amazon instead. Naturally, Lexar's version boasts higher speeds, but if you care more about sticking to your budget, the PNY option is one of the best ways to go today.
When it comes to grabbing 1TB for the Switch 2, the pricing situation is a little prickly. For example, I reviewed the 1TB PNY microSD Express Card earlier this year, and it launched for $199.99. It's currently sitting at $371.99 at Amazon, and I have a feeling that the rising costs of the best SSDs for gaming and the ongoing RAM storage crisis are to blame.
It's pretty challenging to find any 1TB options below the $300 mark in fact, which is little disconcerting. However, I did spot that the Lexar 1TB Play PRO microSD Express Card, which is as high as $349.99 at other retailers, is down to $314.95 at Best Buy instead. That's still a huge amount to spend on storage when it comes to the Switch 2. However, that $35 off option is one of the best I've found amongst the sea of 1TB cards out there.
- View all Switch 2 microSD Express Card deals at Amazon
Check out our guides to the best Nintendo Switch headsets, the best Nintendo Switch 2 cameras, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers if you want to make a splash with your Splatoon Raiders setup.
