Nintendo Switch 2 Mod: Adding a 1TB NVMe SSD Upgrade

Key Takeaways

1. Yu attempted to upgrade the Nintendo Switch 2’s storage using a 1 TB NVMe SSD with a custom adapter from NV&T Labs.
2. The DIY project involved soldering a PCB adapter to connect the microSD Express slot to the M.2 NVMe SSD port.
3. The experiment failed as the Switch 2 could not recognize the SSD, displaying an error message about accessing the microSD card.
4. The issue arose because NVMe SSDs do not provide the necessary communication handshake expected by the Switch’s SD Express interface.
5. Future adapter versions may include a microcontroller or FPGA to resolve the handshake issue, potentially allowing for successful SSD upgrades.

Yu, who is a tech modder and the mind behind the YouTube channel Better Gaming, recently tried to increase the storage of the Nintendo Switch 2 by using a full 1 TB NVMe SSD. However, the results weren’t as successful as anticipated. This experiment was based on an open-source adapter design from NV&T Labs, aiming to change the console’s new microSD Express slot into a working M.2 NVMe 2230 SSD port. The theory seems solid: the Switch 2’s microSD Express interface is compatible with PCIe Gen 3 x1 and utilizes the NVMe protocol, similar to SSDs found in modern computers.

DIY Project Overview

The DIY approach required the purchase of a custom PCB adapter, which acts as a simple bridge that connects the microSD Express pins to the M.2 slot. After a lot of careful soldering and a few failed attempts, the modder inserted a Corsair MP600 Mini 1 TB SSD, formatted it to exFAT, and connected it to the Switch.

Results of the Experiment

While the console did notice something was plugged in, it could not recognize the SSD as usable storage, showing an error message that read “Unable to access microSD card.”

The issue? Even though both SD Express cards and NVMe SSDs use PCIe, they don’t share the same communication method. The Switch anticipates a handshake and protocol negotiation from an SD Express card’s controller, which a raw NVMe drive does not supply. NV&T Labs has stated that upcoming versions of the adapter will feature a microcontroller or FPGA to mimic that initial handshake.

Future Possibilities

Therefore, it’s clear that you can’t simply connect an SSD to your Switch 2 and expect it to function properly. Yet, the foundation looks hopeful, and once the handshake problem is tackled, this could lead to a significant advancement for cost-effective storage upgrades on Nintendo’s next-generation console.

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