Arguably one of the best aspects of modern consoles is the ability to increase storage capacity, either via a MicroSD card, HDD or, more recently, SSD. In other words, there's very little chance you'll ever run out of storage space. More storage equals more games, and is there really anything better?
Doubtful.
If a steam engine isn't priced like a console, it won't be sold as such
The success of Valve's Steam Machine in the console market depends on price.
That said, it looks like we're headed for a MicroSD shortage, and if you haven't upgraded the storage capacity of your Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 yet, you might want to do so as soon as possible.
Artificial intelligence is really fun, isn't it?
As first spotted by Nintendo Life via a new report from Tom's Hardware, MicroSD cards, specifically high-capacity MicroSD cards, are now the latest type of storage to be part of AI-led flaws.
“Larger versions of the popular series are still running out,” said Technohouse Toei, a computer store in Tokyo. “This may drag on for a while.
This relatively new phenomenon seems to mostly affect everything above 512GB, although things can change quickly. As for the Switch 2, the lack of availability of standard MicroSD cards could push people to the new and improved “Express” line of cards, making things much more difficult for consumers looking to expand their Switch 2's memory.
These cards, which are compatible with the Switch 2, have already been the subject of some well-documented price hikes, with the 1TB “Express” card often selling for $200 or as close as possible. But things don't end there, as Tom's Hardware goes on to note that Japanese stores are running out of hard drives. Anything left on the shelves was also subject to price increases.
“It looks like the high-capacity models are being vacuumed up for AI use, so we don't have any inventory at all,” the trader said. “Everybody knows what's going on, so even if the price goes up, the discs sell out immediately … and the cycle repeats itself.”
MicroSD cards aren't the only price hike gamers could face, as the ongoing RAM shortage could soon force Microsoft to raise the price of its Xbox line again after failing to account for the shortage caused by artificial intelligence. Alternatively, Microsoft could simply stop production and let its console inventory continue to erode.
I'm not normally one to hoard things, especially tech-related things, but if building a PC is something you'd like to do in the future, then it's probably a smart bet to get some RAM now while the price is relatively okay. Same with getting a MicroSD card or the “Express” version if a Switch or Switch 2 expansion is in the cards. AI isn't going anywhere anytime soon, and things are only going to get a lot more expensive.
- Mark
-
Nintendo
- Original release date
-
June 5, 2025
- Original MSRP (USD)
-
$449.99
- Operating system
-
Proprietary
- Resolution
-
1080p (handheld) / 4K (docked)
- HDR support
-
Yes
The Xbox 360 didn't surpass the PS3, but it was definitely the most influential console
Twenty long years have passed since the Xbox 360 first entered our lives.
