Best Memory CardsGaming

Best Memory Cards for Nintendo 3DS

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With an impressive library of games and a budget price tag, the 3DS from Nintendo is still a great gaming console. But perhaps your gaming needs have now outgrown the 4GB SD card which comes with the device, and you are looking for a new card to store all of your gaming data on. Asides from the fact that you can save all your years of hard work and dedication on your favourite games, you can now instantly download your games directly onto SD cards, not to mention, the better the specs of your SD card, the better the performance will be. To help you out, we have rounded up the best SD cards for your device.

What SD cards and microSD cards are compatible?

The Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL, and Nintendo 2DS systems are compatible with SD cards up to 2 GB in size, and SDHC cards of 4 GB and larger up to 32 GB in size. All other SD Card types are not considered compatible. However, miniSD and microSD cards are compatible with the use of an SD card adapter. The handheld comes with a 4GB card, and that’s fine if all you intend to do is save your progress. However, if you are looking at having an all-digital video game collection or just want to expand upon your built-in storage, then investing in an SD card is a great add on for your gaming needs.

The New Nintendo 3DS family systems are compatible with microSD cards up to 2 GB in size, and microSDHC cards of 4 GB and larger up to 32 GB in size. All other SD Card types are not considered compatible. SDXC and microSDXC cards are also not considered compatible.

Here are our top picks to make sure you’re getting the most out of your device and find the best memory card for your Nintendo 3DS.



SanDisk 32GB Extreme PRO V30 SD Card (SDHC) UHS-I U3 - 95MB/s

Best Overall

SanDisk 32GB Extreme PRO V30 SD – 95MB/s

The SanDisk Extreme PRO is the perfect partner for your Nintendo 3DS. The card comes with a data storage capacity of up to 32GB, allowing you to save a great deal of media before having to change the card or transfer files to your computer. Plus, the card delivers incredible read speeds of up to 95MB/s and is designed to withstand extreme environments. Available here.



MyMemory 32GB V30 PRO High Speed SD Card (SDHC) UHS-1 U3 - 100MB/s

Runner Up

MyMemory 32GB V30 PRO High Speed SD – 100MB/s

MyMemory Premium High Speed SDHC cards are a perfect fit for your 3DS. With staggering speeds of up to 100MB/s, you can enjoy quick data transfer and reliable performance with this fast SD memory card. This card also comes with a lifetime warranty, giving you the comfort and confidence you would expect from a well-established brand. Available here.



SanDisk 16GB Extreme PLUS SD Card (SDHC) UHS-I U3 - 90MB/s

High Durability

SanDisk 16GB Extreme PLUS SD – 90MB/s

Store lots of photos, games, and Full HD videos, using the SanDisk 16GB Extreme PLUS SD card. SanDisk’s Extreme line of memory cards are waterproof, temperature proof, x-ray proof, and shockproof, so you can save content by the pool or carry your memory card with you through the airport and rest assured that your treasured games will be secure. Available here.



MyMemory 8GB SD Card (SDHC) - 80MB/s

Lower Capacity

MyMemory 8GB SD Card – 80MB/s

Looking for a memory card with lower storage capacity? If you don’t plan on downloaded too much on your Nintendo 3DS, then the MyMemory 8GB SD card offers plenty of storage. This card will provide plenty of storage for your gaming needs. Video class 10 and up to 80MB/s transfer speed will make it ideal for saving the progress you’ve achieved on your Nintendo 3Ds. Available here.



SanDisk 16GB Ultra SD Card (SDHC) - 80MB/s

Best Mid-Range

SanDisk 16GB Ultra SD Card – 80MB/s

Twice as fast as ordinary SDHC cards, the SanDisk Ultra offers read speeds of up to 80MB/s, making it ideal for saving your progress and time spent on games on your Nintendo 3DS. Available in a capacity of 16GB, this card has plenty of storage space to ensure you are able to store important game data and info. These cards from SanDisk are affordable and work well with the Nintendo 3DS. Available here.



Kingston 32GB Canvas Select Plus SD Card (SDHC) UHS-I U1 - 100MB/s

Ultimate Performance

Kingston 32GB Canvas Select Plus SD – 100MB/s

For maximum efficiency, Kingston’s Canvas Select Plus cards deliver extremely fast transfer speeds of up to 100MB/s for the ultimate performance when transferring files from your Nintendo 3DS to your computer. Plus, this card is built to perform in the harshest environments and conditions so you can take it anywhere knowing that your games are protected. Available here.

Be sure to visit our website now to check out our full range of the best SD cards for the Nintendo 3DS. 

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4 Comments

  1. Thank You Very Much.
    I buy SanDisk Ultra SDHC 16GB Class 10 card and work perfect with my Nintendo 2DS console

  2. From another website:

    Unless you are using the SD card with a computer, the read speed makes little difference to the system. Class number is the minimum speed in megabytes per second that the card should be capable of, and the 3DS, because of the forced encryption, is only capable of a read and write speed of just over 2 megabytes per second for anything but music and camera images, since those folders aren’t forced to be encrypted.

    Everything that goes into the Nintendo 3DS folder (digital games, saves, updates, and DLC) is forced to be encrypted to that specific system, and decrypted on the fly. The processor that does this is the bottleneck, and it just can’t handle faster than about 2.3 megabytes per second, so anything past a class 4 is wasted on the console, unless you are also using it with a computer to transfer a lot of data.

    1. Great info! Thank you!

  3. I devoted my life to 3DS nowww

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