Why Storage Has Become the Switch 2’s Biggest Headache
If your Nintendo Switch 2 is starting to feel cramped, you are not alone. A single first-party game can eat anywhere from 10 to 30 gigabytes, and big third-party titles push well past that. Cyberpunk 2077 alone takes up around 60GB, and the upcoming Ocarina of Time remake weighs in at 27GB. Before long, a console that felt roomy on day one is juggling downloads and deleting old saves just to make space for the next adventure.
That is where Samsung’s P9 MicroSD Express card comes in. Right now the 256GB version is down to $47.99 at Amazon and B&H Photo, while the 512GB model sits at $99 at Amazon. Those prices are a welcome break. The smaller card usually sells for around $80, and the larger one has often gone for $150 to $200, though both are still a bit above their original launch prices thanks to the ongoing memory shortage.
What the Speed Really Means for Your Games
The P9 is rated for sequential read speeds of up to 800MB/s, which is a big deal when a game is loading a sprawling open world. The catch is that you only get those top speeds in devices with a microSD Express slot. The Switch 2 is one, and so are certain cameras, tablets, and drones that include a microSD Express or USH-I slot. Plug the card into an older device and you will still have plenty of storage, just not the blistering transfer rates.
It is also worth noting that the Switch 2 was for a while one of the few gadgets that could take full advantage of this standard. This year, Asus added MicroSD Express support to its ROG Ally X20, a pricier handheld that runs Windows 11. That growing list of compatible devices suggests the format is moving from niche to mainstream, which makes a card like the P9 a safer long-term investment than a generic budget option.
Is a 256GB or 512GB Card the Smarter Buy?
For most Switch 2 owners, the 256GB card hits a sweet spot. At under $50, it can comfortably hold a handful of large first-party titles alongside a few indie favorites. If you are a collector who keeps everything installed, or you plan to grab several 60GB-class games, the 512GB version at $99 gives you room to breathe and saves you from constant shuffling. Compare the price per gigabyte and the larger card often makes more sense, especially while it is discounted.
Whatever size you choose, the bigger picture is clear. Storage has quietly become one of the most important parts of the modern gaming setup, and a well-timed deal can turn a frustrating limitation into a simple upgrade. If you have been putting off that purchase because you were tired of deleting games, this is a good moment to act, since sale prices on memory like this rarely last long.
