Whether you're prepping for an eShop haul or just want to future-proof your console, Nintendo Switch SD cards can vastly expand your system's memory on the go. Not only that, but they're a must-have if you consider the Switch's limited internal storage.
We've worked out that the average first-party Nintendo Switch game sits at around 6.7GB (though there are outliers on either side of that figure), so it's fairly easy to work out which size you need based on your current or future library. Indie games tend to be far smaller, so there's wiggle room here as well.
The best Nintendo Switch SD cards can expand your system all the way up to 2TB. Of course, very few Ninty fans need that much space. In fact, many can get by on 128GB if splitting between downloads and game carts, potentially upgrading to 200GB or 256GB further down the line. You can even archive your downloads on the Switch, saving some space and making the lower-end cards even more worthwhile. While this is one of the best Nintendo Switch accessories to pick up on day one, you don't need to future-proof yourself too much thanks to those relatively low prices.
The Quick List
Best for a storage boost
With space for around nine* full-sized first party games (but plenty more indies), this 64GB card is best for those just starting out.
Best for eShop fans
You'll get around 18* first party games on this 128GB card - making it a solid choice for those who dabble in eShop downloads semi-regularly.
Best for eShop pros
This 200GB card will fit somewhere between 25 and 30* full-sized titles, so it's best for those who buy the majority of their games digitally.
Best future proofer
1TB is enough space hold roughly 150* first party games. That makes this Silicon Power option best for those who don't want to think about upping their storage in the future.
Best design
128GB is still enough space for around 18 first-party games - but this micro SD separates itself from the rest by sporting an official Super Mario design, making it the best looking microSD of the bunch.
While new to the GamesRadar+ hardware team, I've been reviewing and getting hands-on with the Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo tech almost during my entire time as a gaming tech writer. As someone whose Switch library is bursting at the seams, finding the perfect amount of extra storage is a fine art that should be shared.
Recent updates
December 9 - There aren't any advancements yet on the MicroSD front, this list has mostly stayed the same. However, I chose to add the officially licensed Nintendo Switch microSD cards to the list for 'best design' so that the array of flashy-looking Nintendo memory cards was covered. These cards don't differ in terms of specs from their non-licensed counterparts, but they are the best-looking microSD cards available for the handheld for those who need every accessory to look its best.
The best Nintendo Switch SD card for a storage boost
✅You prioritize buying physical Switch carts: If you prefer your physical Switch games, an extra 64GB boost is perfectly fine to download any additional updates for your favorite first-party games.
❌You play mostly digital only: If you prefer to buy everything from the eShop, including the latest first-party Nintendo games, you're gonna need something with a larger storage capacity from the get-go.
❌You've got a huge Switch game backlog: Even though you can archive your digital downloads, if you like all your Switch games in one place, 64GB won't be enough for a large mix of both first-party and indie games.
64GB Nintendo Switch memory cards are about as small as you'll want to go. They double the storage space on an OLED device, but in the grand scheme of things they're still pretty restrictive. They are, however, the cheapest way to upgrade your storage.
It's a storage boost for those who generally buy cartridges rather than running full first party titles from the eShop, but still want to download a few smaller indies. If you're going for the big Ninty releases, you'll get somewhere between 7-10 games on here, depending on individual install sizes - but considering smaller experiences can barely leave the 1GB mark there's plenty more room for others.
A 64GB card isn't going to last forever, but if you don't want to spend too much cash on your first upgrade and won't be downloading more than a couple games a month over the next year or so then it's the cheapest way to go.
The best Nintendo Switch SD card for eShop fans
✅You're on a budget: Nintendo Switch-compatible SD cards keep getting more affordable, and fortunately, even with over 100GB of space, a 128GB card is still just a fraction of the cost of a brand-new Switch game.
❌You take a ton of screenshots and video clips: If you like your screenshots and short game clips, 128GB can fill up fast, and won't give you much extra room for your first-party Switch downloads on top of that.
Sandisk is one of the biggest and best names in MicroSD cards, and this is the best value model you can buy. For about $20 / £20 you get 128GB of storage, a reliable MicroSD card with decent file transfer speeds. Plus, you even get an adapter should you want to use this in an SD-based device like a digital camera or should you have the urge to transfer all of your favorite screenshots and video clips to your laptop. That makes it hugely versatile. Nintendo partnered with SanDisk for the official SD card for Switch, so it's a make Ninty trusts too. And yes, we have tested this MicroSD card and it 100% works with your Switch.
The best Nintendo Switch SD card for eShop Pros
✅ You play a mix of physical and digital Switch games: Having a 200GB MicroSD card at your disposal is plenty for a mix of both updates for your physical games, and even digital versions of some of the biggest-sized Switch games available on the eShop.
❌You have a massive Switch backlog: If you prefer to keep every game on your Switch, no matter if you played it recently or not, 200GB may still not be enough for your ever-growing backlog of games.
Hitting the ‘Goldilocks window’ for Nintendo Switch SD cards (being more than big enough for most game storage needs, but remaining at a price that’s entirely fair), the 200GB SDXC will evaporate all your storage worries for a long time. For the price of roughly one AAA Nintendo Switch game, you’ll get a home for dozens and dozens more – you could fit Super Mario Odyssey on this thing 33 times. If you’re not on a particularly tight budget, and want a robust Nintendo Switch memory card that still won’t cost the Earth, this is the one to go for. It's worth noting that the cost of SD cards continues to fall, so you can pick this one up much cheaper today than it was 6 months ago, so it's worth stretching your budget a little.
The best Nintendo Switch SD card for future proofing
✅You want the biggest storage possible: MicroSD cards bigger than 1TB are still a bit of an anomaly, so this is your best bet for the largest extra space your Switch can handle. Unless you never archive a game on your Switch and download every first-party title the eShop has to offer, this will more than support your storage needs.
❌You're on a tight budget: MicroSD cards may get more affordable all the time, but 1TB is still going to set you back a lot of hard-earned cash. These high-capacity cards can cost upwards of two brand-new Switch games worth. That's a lot if you're already spending a lot on the latest releases.
If you're ever thinking about being completely, utterly, and totally future-proofed in terms of your Switch's capacity then the Silicon Power 1TB Superior SD card is for you. Yes, the 1TB capacity will mean it is a larger investment by default to begin with but the sheer value here is ridiculous, and you'll literally never have to worry about storage space again. Pop this in and even the most storage conscious of future-proof worried among us will have their minds eased.
With Nintendo still bringing out bangers, even at the tail-end of the Switch's lifespan, 1TB will have you more than prepared, especially if you prefer your digital downloads over physical carts. Whether it's The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Mario Party Jamboree, or Mario & Luigi: Brothership, you'll be at ease knowing 1TB will more than be enough for Nintendo's recent releases, and then some.
The Superior 1TB SD card also comes with an adapter so you're good to go with any kind of mobile device or laptop should you need to shift gears, and there's a five-year warranty so you can have peace of mind. Simple, massive stuff.
Note: The stock of this Nintendo Switch memory card is fluctuating wildly at retailers right now but it is usually out there, seen in the wild. You may have to bookmark this page and refollow the links after giving it a chance to come back into stock. It'll be absolutely worth it - good luck!
The best looking Nintendo Switch SD card
✅You want your microSD card to look its best: For those who need all of their gaming accessories to look the part, SanDisk created a line of cards officially licensed for the Switch that feature charming designs based on Nintendo properties, like this red Super Mario mushroom microSD card.
❌You don't want to pay more for a nice design: While this microSD card may look great, picking it up means you're paying slightly more just for the cute design. If you care more about the actual storage requirements and speeds, especially as you'll rarely see the SD card once it's actually in your Switch, then picking up the non-officially licensed equivalent is a better plan.
When it comes to the best microSD cards, how the card actually looks likely won't matter to everyone - especially where the Nintendo Switch is considered. Once you've inserted your microSD card into any model Switch, you're never going to see it again unless you frequently swap between multiple cards at a time.
Regardless, SanDisk and Nintendo thought of everything and have a whole line-up of officially licensed cards for those who care. This Super Mario mushroom design is just one of a whole array of microSD cards based on Nintendo properties, varying in all the usual storage variants you can imagine. Outside of the flashy designs, there's not much going on that separates them from their non-licensed counterparts.
This red microSD card still sports read and transfer speeds up to 100MB/s, write speeds up to 90MB/s, and 128GB worth of space for all your eShop game downloads. The only difference you'll find here is in its design, and if your microSD needs to look as flashy as your Switch case, then this, and the rest of the officially licensed Nintendo Switch memory card line, are the best looking cards you can get your hands on.
*Based on an average of 6.7GB per title, allowing for unusable storage space on the card itself
How big are Nintendo Switch games?
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It's easiest to find the right Nintendo Switch memory card when you know what you're going to be piling into it. You'll find the install sizes for the latest and greatest Nintendo Switch games just below. It's also worth noting that these are some of the largest titles on the eShop; smaller indie games can be as little as MBs in size.
- Splatoon 3 - 5.2GB
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land - 5.8GB
- Pokemon Legends Arceus - 6GB
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - 6.7GB
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - 13.4GB
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - 18.2GB
- The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword - 7.5GB
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons - 6.2GB
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - 13.6GB
- Metroid Dread - 4.1GB
- Luigi's Mansion 3 - 6.3GB
- Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury - 2.9GB
- Fire Emblem Engage - 18GB
- Monster Hunter Rise - 6.6GB
The average size for a first party Nintendo title is around 6.7GB.
Nintendo Switch memory cards: FAQ
What size Nintendo Switch SD card should you buy?
You'll want to make sure you're getting the right memory card size for your playstyle and existing library. For example, if you generally stick to indie games and smaller releases you'll be able to get away with a 64GB or 128GB card a lot easier than someone who plays all the first party games. Official Nintendo Switch games generally scale between 5GB and 10GB of space, and some can go a little beyond this as well. However, if you already know you prefer to buy most of your games physically you can scale down your required storage a little.
We'd recommend a 128GB or 200GB card for most users, giving you a good spread of first party downloads and bags of space for smaller installs. That's with a handful of physical games thrown in - if you're going all digital and regularly pick up new releases you might want to invest in a one-and-one 1TB option.
Are official Nintendo Switch SD cards worth it?
SanDisk is partnered with Nintendo to bring official versions of its MicroSD cards to market. There are a range of different sizes on offer, starting at 64GB and now spanning all the way up to 1TB, all featuring icons from different Nintendo franchises on the card itself. These official Nintendo Switch memory cards just aren't worth it, though. Besides from some fancy colors they're essentially the same as SanDisk's main range, but generally cost a little extra. You won't see that cute Animal Crossing leaf when it's whirring away inside your console, after all.
What is the maximum Nintendo Switch SD card size?
The Nintendo Switch can only run up to 2TB of additional storage in an SD card. However, it should be noted that that's a ton of space, so you'll certainly have to be an eShop pro to fill it to the brim.
Which SD cards are compatible with Nintendo Switch?
The Nintendo Switch is compatible with microSDXC cards over 64GB and microSDHC cards between 4GB and 32GB. That really means that pretty much any SD card you have will slot neatly into your console already. However, if you're buying new it's always recommended to grab one with a Class 1 UHS Speed (you'll see a small bucket with a one inside it on the card itself) for the best experience.
Nintendo Switch memory card glossary
Even smaller plug and play SD cards like the kind used in the Nintendo Switch can come with a plethora of terms to make the whole buying process more difficult. We're breaking down common jargon here, to make sure you know exactly what you're buying.
If you're after even more accessories, you'll find all the best Nintendo Switch chargers available now, as well as the best Nintendo Switch headsets. We're also rounding up the all the best Nintendo Switch controllers and the latest Nintendo Switch game deals as well.
