Nintendo Switch Can Support 2TB Micro SDXC Cards
By Cody Gravelle 16 January 2017
Nintendo reveals in an official statement that the Nintendo Switch can support Micro SDXC cards, which can offer the system up to an extra 2TB of memory.
The Nintendo Switch has been at the center of gaming news since the Nintendo Switch Presentation event a few days ago, and the console/handheld hybrid’s specs and innovations are – in true Nintendo fashion – fairly divisive. The Switch boasts one of the most promising game line-ups in recent memory, as evidenced by a presentation that featured The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the unveiling of Super Mario Odyssey, and a slew of iconic RPG franchises. Yet the Switch will only have 5 of those games at launch, leading many to take a wait-and-see approach to Nintendo’s new device rather than scramble to preorder it.
Perhaps the biggest concern for gamers, however, was the troubling news that emerged a few days ago that seemed to indicate big games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild would take up half of the Switch’s storage capacity on their own. Those who prefer to download their games digitally, then, were faced with a crossroads on Nintendo’s new system. Luckily, however, a Nintendo representative has confirmed (via GameInformer) that Switch owners will have more options:
“Nintendo Switch is compatible with the SDXC standard, which supports up to 2TB.”
It’s important to note that the highest memory capacity on SDXC cards available to consumers is currently only 512GB, but at least gamers now know that once higher storage capacity cards are released, the Switch will be ready for them. If the Switch functions like past Nintendo consoles, however, games will be run off of their cartridges rather than being installed like they are on the PS4 or Xbox One, meaning only those planning to use digital downloads will likely need to consider different storage options.
That’s a good thing, too, because SDXC cards aren’t cheap. Current retail on 512GB models ranges anywhere from $150-200 USD, and that is on top of the initial cost of the Switch device and the many Switch accessories, which have already been criticized as expensive. Despite the Switch itself being relatively cheap at launch when compared to PS4 and Xbox One launch prices, it’s also a significantly less powerful system and its accessories will quickly make up the difference in price for those interested in them.
Still, though, the ability to expand the system memory for the Switch is a nice feature that is better to have and complain about the additional cost than not have and be unable to download more than one or two games. For now, gamers will continue to pick at many of the individual specs and features of the Switch, but by March 3, it will matter very little – all it will take are a few strong games and an enjoyable, memorable experience, and the Switch will do just fine.
Nintendo Switch will launch on March 3, 2017.
