Curious which Nintendo Switch 2 storage option gives the fastest loading times? Here’s a simple breakdown of a real-world speed test comparing Game Card, SD Express, and Internal Storage.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is finally here, and the excitement around its launch has been huge. Fans have been lining up at stores (a bit nostalgic, yes) and talking about the new features for months. With so much hype and so many people eager to get their hands on the new hardware, it’s no surprise the console is already making headlines.
One big question a lot of new owners have is: what’s the best way to store your games if you want the fastest load times? With the Switch 2 supporting internal storage, SD Express cards, and traditional game cards, it can be tough to know which option is truly the quickest.
In this article, we’ll talk about which storage method loads games the fastest on the Nintendo Switch 2.
Which Storage Option is Fastest on the Nintendo Switch 2?
A new speed test using Mario Kart World on the Switch 2 compared loading times across three storage options: built-in internal storage, SD Express memory cards from several brands, and the physical game card. The test measured how long it took to load the game from each storage type, providing a clear look at which method is the fastest. (thanks to 4416Y)
- Internal Storage (256GB UFS): 16.60 seconds
- Sandisk SD Express (256GB): 19.18 seconds
- Samsung SD Express (256GB): 19.41 seconds
- Lexar SD Express (1TB): 19.78 seconds
- Game Card: 24.75 seconds
As you can see, the internal storage was the clear winner here, loading the game the fastest at just 16.60 seconds. The SD Express cards were all grouped pretty closely together, ranging from about 19.18 to 19.78 seconds. While that’s a bit slower than internal storage, it’s still much quicker than the physical game card, which took the longest at 24.75 seconds.
If you’re looking for the absolute best speed, internal storage is your best bet. But the SD Express cards are a strong second, and still noticeably faster than using a game card.
To put things in perspective, the Sandisk SD Express was around 15.5% slower than internal storage, while the Samsung and Lexar cards were about 16.9% and 19.2% slower, respectively. The game card was nearly 50% slower than the internal storage, making it the slowest way to play.
Apart from that, there’s also been a lot of talk about how well the Switch 2 is selling. Early reports claim the console broke launch records, with over 3 million units sold on its first day, making it the biggest launch for any Nintendo system yet.
What about you? Have you picked up a Switch 2 yet? Let us know which storage option you’re using, and if you’ve noticed any difference in loading times!
