The Nintendo Switch 2 ships with 256GB of storage, where ~249GB is usable after accounting for system software. While enough to start playing immediately, 256GB is pretty slim by today's standards. Physical games now cost more than digital releases, updates take up space, and some releases use Game-Key Cards requiring downloads instead of cartridges.
AAA games are the real storage hog: Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade takes 90.4GB, Resident Evil Requiem is nearly 29GB, and Assassin's Creed Shadows needs 69GB. For those prioritizing digital libraries, a micro SD Express card offers essential relief. Choose your capacity carefully; a 128GB card can be quickly consumed by one large game, so starting with 256GB is a smart middle ground.
You can go higher for breathing room, up to 1TB, though prices climb significantly during RAM shortages (expect around $60 for 256GB). Brands like San Disk, Lexar, and Samsung perform similarly. Importantly, you cannot use a standard microSD card; look for the "EX" logo.
Your old Switch microSD card is only useful for importing screenshots and videos, not storing games or save data.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing