Mario And Link Themed Micro SD Cards Are On The Way For Your Switch

So how much of a premium will we have to pay to have it in this packaging?

They'll likely cost more than regular cards, so no. There's no point.

Depends on price. I like Sandisk due to experience on their reliability in digital SLR cameras in multiple environments (equalled by Lexar) but if it costs more just for the Nintendo mark then I'll get standard versions.

I'll find one without the Nintendo characters on it for half the price these will go for. I'll pass.

I think this is great for those who don’t know what sd cards are, or don’t know the difference between a micro and normal as card

@Equinox You'll also have the go faster Nintendo Switch stripes logo on the card itself.

Lmao. Gotta pay that premium for that Nintendo logo on it!

As neat as they are I'm not falling for this one.

Sigh, I can see myself buying this just for the switch logo...

and I don't even purchase digital games

I wouldn't say these are Mario and Link themed. They are Switch-themed, since that is the only visible Nintendo-related thing on the cards themselves.

They are not Mario and Link Themed SD cards, the packaging has pictures on them but that's it.

Well...
Better use regular 64 / 128 GB Sandisk Micro SD Card.
I can download the image of Mario Kart 8 / Link from Google Image.

Pay extra for a Nintendo logo you won't ever see again until you switch SD cards. PAY YOU SWINE

Now if only SD Cards did something on Switch. All it does is slightly increase the amount of screenshots you can save. They do not allow you to store game save data on them, which is what I would prefer. Nope, game save data is stuck on the Switch internal 32GB memory. Doesn't even save to physical game cards. So if the Switch gets busted and becomes inoperable, bye bye save data and all that progress you put in to Breath of the Wild & other games.

So are parents incapable of using google, asking forum groups questions or afraid to speak to retail employees about compatible microsd cards?

If the packaging is the only thing different then its lame. How about some dlc costumes, or the card comes with Legend of Zelda/Super Mario Kart?

I would like a 1 or 2 TB one with Kirby's face on it.

...because Kirby can eat a large amount of food and an SD card like that could store a lot of games!

This is for people who have money to throw

I already got pretty lucky and got 2 128 gb micro sd cards for $10 each. One for my switch, and one for my New 2ds

I bet these become collector's items because nobody is stupid enough to pay the higher price for the same thing in different packaging.

@DarthFoxMcCloud
"Now if only SD Cards did something on Switch."
...is the option to have all of your switch games at once one on on card not something?

It would be cool the zelda 64gb sd card comes with breath of the wild and the mario 128 gb sd card comes with mario kart 8.

Sweet! So we're finally getting Super Mario 128?.... I'll see myself out...

First, there shouldn't be mark-up on these cards.

Second, this is just an elaborate "Works with Switch" notice. When parents are out buying their kids' Christmas present is actually quite handy.

It's the Wii SD cards all over again. I'd say these are aimed at the unsuspecting grand/parent at Xmas time who don't know any better in GameStop's and the likes.

Little bit of research can save you loads of money but that's not my problem.

Great! Now I can own the Official Nintendo Switch SD Cards!

( -______- )

@CaptainRainbow 'So are parents incapable of using google, asking forum groups questions or afraid to speak to retail employees about compatible microsd cards?'

Have you seen what people ask other people on Facebook (basic people)?

'Anyone have the number for vet, shop, hospital etc?' Just Google it!

'Where is such an such based?' Just Google it!

'Where can I buy micro SD cards for the Nintendo?' Just Google it!

So yes, people are moron's. Google it.

Themed SD Cards? For something that you're barely going to look at, it's a bit of a waste of money to pay the extra cost that it will undoubtedly incur.

I'm in, as long as its no more than a 10% mark up. Read/write speeds look really good as well.

Or just get a normal micro SD, now there's an idea. If you're dumb enough to buy proprietary crap when you know there's the same thing for cheaper and just as good, you deserve to get ripped off.

They may look cool, but it's not necessary. You can get the exact same thing for a lower price without the Nintendo brand on it.

But like others stated, maybe it's for those who are (still) clueless about SD cards and compatibility. So it's good to take advantage of people's lack of knowledge on technology.

@MrGamerClock64 'But like others stated, maybe it's for those who are (still) clueless about SD cards and compatibility. So it's good to take advantage of people's lack of knowledge on technology.'

Totally right! That's how you make easy money, prey on stupid people, lol. Works most of the time and it's their own fault.

#reality

@readyletsgo there's no need for an apostrophe in "morons"...

And how much more will they cost compared to non Nintendo branded ones? So pointless, but I guess there are people that will buy them regardless.

Also, people aren't buying the visual of Mario/Link on the box, they're paying for the perception of a guaranteed quality. It's the same old 80s Nintendo Seal Of Quality. Doesn't mean these cards are actually better than other SanDisk ones, just that Nintendo are willing to give these ones their stamp of authority, and some people are willing to pay a little more for that reassurance.

@DarthFoxMcCloud "if only SD Cards did something on Switch.All it does is slightly increase the amount of screenshots you can save."

I don't understand your comment.SD cards store all your games and without them,going all digital like I have done would be impossible.Yes the save files are only saved to the system which isn't ideal but I'm sure an alternative solution is on the way for that.

@readyletsgo
Believe it or not, it works. Why do you think the Wii branded SD cards sold well?

@Kimyonaakuma Just google it. The Switch does not save game data to SD Cards. You're forced to have them all save to your internal memory. So if you plan on going all digital with the Switch, good luck with that. And if your Switch ever dies, you have to send it in to Nintendo to potentially have your save data transferred to a new Switch. But there's Reddit users who've done this and had their save data lost. Nintendo needs to allow either save data stored on SD Cards or announce a cloud based storage option. They've been ridiculously silent on this issue.

@OorWullie You just explained my comment. SAVE DATA IS NOT ALLOWED ON THE SD CARD. Don't know how much clearer I can be on that. Your Switch dies, your save data is lost. Nintendo might be able to get it back for you if you send in your defective unit. But if you ever traded in a Switch at EB Games/Gamestop for a new one, your save data is LOST because it's stored on your Switch internally. NOT on the SD Card. So it's not like the 3DS or Wii U where you could store your save data on an external source. There's also Reddit users who've had to send their Switch in for replacement only to find Nintendo couldn't migrate the save data over to the new Switch. This is ridiculous. Nintendo had the ability to save game data on external devices for the Wii U and 3DS. Not having the ability on the Switch at launch was ridiculous. And they've been far too silent on this issue. It wouldn't take much, just a simple firmware update to activate this feature. Or tell us that cloud based storage is incoming with their paid online service. But they've been completely silent which is unacceptable.

Meh. The card itself isn't licensed, it's the packaging. For the premium they'll likely charge, you'd hope they would at least paint the card itself. But, no.

@DarthFoxMcCloud I don't need to google it, I know where the switch stores it's save files. The issue with your original comment is that you don't acknowledge that the SD card has a use other than storing screenshots and that use (suprisingly ) is storing games! How is being able to have your console library with you without having to carry a ton of cartidges not count as "something".
And yes there's the save data issue that you seem to be fixated on, but I feel that you're blowing the issue out of proportion. Just because you read some people's experiences on reddit does not make it a major issue. That's only a vocal minority and the majority of people will not encounter any issues whatsoever.
Besides SD cards are also susceptible to corruption and I've had a few cartridges die over the years despite looking after them. There's always a chance that things will go wrong but for most of the time nothing terrible happens...

It's good they have an official option for parents and and grandparents who don't have a clue what cards to buy for the Switch as gifts or for casual players who aren't up on the latest tech. Most of us more hardcore gamers already have or will seek out cheaper alternatives though.

Are they in anyway more optimal for this type of use than their other cards? If not, then...

Amazed its taken them this long to put a Mario image on a bit of cardboard - as that's basically all they've done.

And we get to pay for the licensing fee. The regular one work just fine.

The SD cards aren't themed; only the packaging is.

The SD cards themselves are themed with the switch logo, but whats the difference?
They'll probably cost more than the normal ones, so no point...

The comment section is more interesting than the article. Pretty entertaining reading enthusiasts that are so out of touch with norms that they can't comprehend how this is actually better for them. People trade money for convenience all the time. In fact, the design of the Switch counts on this behavior.

Seems pointless to pay extra for these ones. Once the card is in the console, you're not going to see the card.

@aaronsullivan What? How exactly is it more convenient and better? It's just an SD card...

Not better than many 200 gb one and not better than my future 400 upgrade once I feel cramped for space.

Not for me then

Hooray.

@DarthFoxMcCloud Save data has to eventually go to something else because 32 GB is a limit, once that limit is reached it would have to go onto the SD card would it not?

@AlexOlney Well he does have quite a beer belly so 😉

@DarthFoxMcCloud Yeah it's not like loads of people have reported Nintendo repairs being able to retain data.

@Setery it's unlikely that save data alone would ever occupy all that space

Nope, but nice branding & packaging, these should sell well at xmas.

In anyone's experience how much of the brand quality of any SD cards effect the load time, when using them on Switch? I haven't picked one up yet but will need to soon.

Hardly "themed", more just slapped on the box. The card itself is just a Switch logo which I'll admit I wouldn't mind on my card, but I'm not exactly eager to swap out my super-affordable 200gb Sandisk card for a 128gb with a logo.

First of all, no point getting this as there's way cheaper ones available at the same storage.

Second issue, apart from the packaging What makes this a Zelda and Mario SD card? Both have a common Switch logo, what is the point of this even?

Third issue: Why do these cards exist??? We're just gonna put the cards in the console anyway, how and more importantly why will we show off the Switch logo on the minuscule sized card???!!!

Rant over, I'm just gonna skip this too. Apart from protection cases, Switch accessories are an absolute joke.

For everyone reading this site this product isn't for you. Nintendo knows everyone here "googles" Checks the "internets" and the wiifis for better deals. This is for Parents in the Nintendo section to see official Nintendo memory cards that are guaranteed to work so they don't have to see 1000 different options / sizes ect on google, it's a mess!! Less is more and this is a great product but not for you.

Cheap at twice the price. Grandparents will need bigger pensions to afford them.

Umm, no thanks.
This is really going too far. For for christ's sake, these are just microSD cards! You put them into the slot and then you never see them again. Why pay extra for that?

I love articles like these...

@Setery 32 GB will literally last for eternity for save data. If the average size of save data is 100 MB, it will be enough for more than 300 games.

Obviously Link should be on the higher capacity card. Him and the Green Tunic of Unburdening.

This article is 100% marketing. Shameless. No I will not pay an exorbitant price for a Nintendo switch SanDisk micro sd card. I get all of my memory and PC components from a wholesaler with a retail front for literally half the price of retail.

This is still better than what Sony did with the VITA lmao

They seem to have really really nice read and write speeds some of the highs ones ive seen on sandisk website a 100/90 pretty nice

Little Jimmy? What about little Freddie?

Just think, they will cost 150% more than the same size of card you can find at Best Buy!

Thumbs down for lack of Sheikah slate and Mario Hat designs on these

Some marketing scheme this is, you'll probably have to pay a extra 20% (no discount) for these compared to the regular ones.

At least Nintendo didn't go down that greedy path like Sony with proprietary card.

If these Switch SD cards are optimised to be as fast as the internal storage, then they are worth the extra 💰.

Got this!! Samsung 128GB 100MB/s (U3) MicroSD EVO Select Memory Card with Adapter

Actually, it makes a lot of sense. Most people are clueless buyers, this would help a lot.

You know something isn't quite right with a Nintendo product when you try to buy one online...and they are in stock!

They WILL be expensive! On the Wii I have a white 8gb sd card. And I have also such a card for my 3DS. Official cards. Dumb, of course. I guess I could have bought some cheaper cards. Ah well...

seems silly really your paying extra for a nintendo character slapped on the packaging, no thanks im happy with my 128GB sd card from argos for £40

They look kinda cool. I would buy these if money wasn't an issue

Lets wait and see how much they cost before we condemn them

I find it quite funny that over the years, a lot of folks have argued (myself included) that Nintendo should sell branded storage devices and now folks are moping

But in all seriousness, i would have preferred a little "more".
A pre-installed game might be a little too much, but at least something special. A special color scheme, a printed card reader etc.
Those are just regular cards for a DX price to get the PR costs back.

@NinNin even if that's the case you have to remember you don't have true 32GB of storage space and updates can occupy that space as well.

@Setery I know. I don't think that the average size of save data is 100 MB, though. It should be much smaller than that. It's safe to say that it should be enough for at least 200-300 games.

I would hardly call those cards "themed".

@UboaNoticedYou actually you will stop seeing the nintendo "theme" once you toss the packaging. The cards themselves are identical to every other micro sd by SanDisk

This is akin to a broken pencil...pointless. Edmund Slackbladder.

@EternalDragonX there's a Nintendo Switch logo on the actual card.

What a cash grab.

They couldn't even make the cards coloured to match the branding what is even the point.

Why does everyone keep assuming they're going to cost more .It's funny to watch everyone get mad about their own assumptions .The branding is probably to help the less tech savvy folks know their buying the proper thing for their Switch.

@Hughesy Just think about someone who doesn't follow technology closely or read about games but wants to play Switch and ran out of memory. Saving money is far less important than "hey, this is what I need" and getting on with their day.

If you tell a "norm" that they can save money with this other one over here, they still might go with the licensed one, because — they don't know if you are right, and they don't care. What's a couple bucks to be sure that it works when they get home? The only thing worse for them would be to sit around comparing prices after researching all the details to make sure they don't get the wrong item. It's just a complete waste of time and energy when a few dollars will do the work — and instantly, thank you Mario.

This is how convenience works. You trade money for it all the time in areas where you aren't an expert (maybe you get your vehicle oil changed instead of saving money and doing it yourself), but when you are in your enthusiast realm, of course, you care and learn about the details and shop around because it's a passion/drug/obsession and it's worth it for you to spend extra time sucking the marrow out of it.