The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 has brought excitement to gamers, but it has also introduced a new storage challenge. While the console offers 256 GB of internal storage, expanding it requires the use of MicroSD Express cards. Those who upgraded from the original Nintendo Switch are quickly discovering that their existing MicroSD cards are incompatible with the new system. Unfortunately, a shortage of these crucial storage cards seems imminent, potentially impacting both availability and price.
Impact of MicroSD Card Shortages on Express Card Supply
Reports suggest that a significant reason for the looming shortage of MicroSD cards, including the Express variants needed for the Nintendo Switch 2, is linked to the demand generated by AI companies. According to statements from industry insiders, these companies are consuming vast quantities of storage products, including HDDs, SSDs, and MicroSD cards, for their operations. This consumption pattern is contributing to stock depletion and escalating prices. As quoted by a tech shop owner, “Large-capacity models are being absorbed for AI use, resulting in no stock availability, and even with price hikes, the drives are selling out immediately.”
Navigating the Storage Crunch for Nintendo Switch 2
Since the unveiling of the Switch 2, acquiring a MicroSD Express card has been challenging. The current trend of consumers shifting towards these cards for their storage solutions, combined with the increased demand from AI companies, is predicted to tighten supply further. Sources suggest that this scarcity, along with rising costs, is an unavoidable outcome. For those planning to purchase a Switch 2 or games during sales events like Black Friday, it is advisable to secure a MicroSD Express card promptly to avoid future disappointments.
A shortage and price hike of the only kind of storage cards the Nintendo Switch 2 uses feels inevitable.