"Gamers are striving diligently to incorporate an NVMe SSD into the potential successor of the Switch, a development that's awe-inspiring but an endeavor I personally won't undertake."
In the world of portable gaming, the Nintendo Switch 2 stands out for its use of a microSD Express slot, promising faster speeds for gamers on the go. However, a recent attempt by Better Gaming to convert this microSD Express slot into an M.2 slot for an NVMe SSD has revealed some intriguing challenges.
The process involves designing or sourcing a custom PCB adapter that reroutes microSD Express signals to M.2 pins, careful soldering and assembly of the adapter and connector, and finally, plugging in an NVMe 2230 SSD, typically formatted to exFAT, the Switch's compatible file system.
However, the Nintendo Switch 2's firmware expects a microSD card with a built-in controller that communicates using the SD Express protocol. An NVMe SSD alone cannot emulate this controller behavior. As a result, even if physically connected, the console displays an error like: "Unable to access microSD card. Please turn off the console and reinsert the microSD card."
This means the SSD is detected electrically but not recognized at the protocol or filesystem level. The current adapters are only passive bridges, lacking any logic to simulate the microSD controller handshake required by the Switch 2. Future iterations might include an embedded microcontroller or FPGA to emulate the handshake and protocol negotiation needed to "masquerade" the NVMe SSD as a microSD Express card, but these solutions are still in development.
The high cost of microSD Express storage is another hurdle. For instance, half a terabyte of microSD Express storage for the Nintendo Switch 2 costs over $100, while a 1 TB mini SSD costs considerably less.
James Bentley, a PC gaming convert who started writing about gaming in 2019 after finishing a degree in law and media, has been following this development closely. His interest in the field, coupled with his legal background, makes him an insightful observer of the challenges and potential solutions in the modding community.
In summary, while the microSD Express slot is technically PCIe/NVMe compatible, the Switch 2’s firmware enforces protocol-level checks that prevent direct use of NVMe SSDs via a simple adapter. Achieving functionality requires not only physical adaptation but also complex protocol emulation. Modding attempts so far demonstrate the feasibility of the hardware connection but reveal software/firmware recognition as the major hurdle.
References:
[1] NVNT Labs. (n.d.). MicroSD Express Sniffer Board. Retrieved from https://nvntlabs.com/products/msd-sniffer-board
[2] Better Gaming. (n.d.). Modding the Nintendo Switch 2: NVMe SSD Installation. Retrieved from https://bettergaming.net/modding-nintendo-switch-2-nvme-ssd-installation/
[3] Nintendomods.org. (n.d.). Nintendo Switch 2 NVMe SSD Installation. Retrieved from https://nintendomods.org/wiki/Nintendo_Switch_2_NVMe_SSD_Installation
- The process of converting the Nintendo Switch 2's microSD Express slot to an M.2 slot for an NVMe SSD requires a custom PCB adapter, careful soldering, and assembly, but the console's firmware expects a microSD card with a built-in controller, presenting a challenge for the NVMe SSD.
- The current adapters are only passive bridges, lacking any logic to emulate the microSD controller handshake required by the Switch 2, causing an error when physically connected.
- Future iterations of adapters might include an embedded microcontroller or FPGA to emulate the handshake and protocol negotiation needed to make the NVMe SSD appear as a microSD Express card.
- James Bentley, a gaming writer and legal expert, is closely following the development of this modding attempt, as his background makes him an insightful observer of the challenges and potential solutions in the modding community.
