If you're gearing up for the Nintendo Switch 2 or simply seeking a fast, future-proof memory card, you'll want to take note of this deal. The Lexar 512GB Play PRO MicroSD Express Card is back in stock and available on Amazon for just $89.92, a reduction from its regular price of $99.99.
This card stands out as one of the few MicroSD Express cards available in larger capacities, and it's officially compatible with the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. This is crucial because Nintendo has confirmed that its next-generation console will only support MicroSD Express for expandable storage, rendering older cards from the original Switch incompatible, regardless of their remaining space.
Switch 2 Compatible### Lexar 512GB Play PRO microSDXC Express Card
4$99.99 save 10%$89.92 at AmazonThe shift to MicroSD Express is driven by speed. These cards utilize the same PCIe interface as the high-speed NVMe SSDs found in modern gaming PCs, allowing the Lexar Play PRO to achieve read speeds of up to 985MB/s—nearly ten times faster than the UHS-I cards used in the current Switch. This increase in speed translates to faster load times and ensures that performance isn't hindered when loading larger, more demanding games from the expansion card.
At 512GB, this Lexar card offers an excellent balance between storage capacity and price. Given that some confirmed Switch 2 games exceed 20GB, the console's internal 256GB storage won't last long. While a 1TB Express card can cost nearly $200, this 512GB option represents the current sweet spot, especially when in stock. There's also a 256GB version available at a reduced price of $47.67 on Amazon.
Availability has been inconsistent, with many MicroSD Express cards quickly selling out following the Switch 2 announcement. If you plan to purchase the new console at launch, now is the perfect time to secure one of these cards before they become unavailable again. Speed is non-negotiable for the next generation of portable consoles, and currently, this Lexar deal offers the fastest and most cost-effective way to prepare.
Switch 2 Game Storage Sizes: ----------------------------Nintendo has disclosed some file sizes for Switch 2 games, which have turned out to be smaller than anticipated. The Japanese My Nintendo Store has listed several Switch 2 games along with their storage requirements, indicating that the console's 256GB internal storage is more substantial than initially thought.
The largest game file size is Mario Kart World at 23.4GB, which occupies about 10% of the Switch 2's internal storage. This is notably smaller than Cyberpunk 2077, which requires 64GB and takes up 25% of the console's storage.
Mario Kart World: 23.4 GBDonkey Kong Bananza: 10 GBNintendo Classics: GameCube app: 3.5 GBSuper Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition ＋ Jamboree TV: 7.7 GBKirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition ＋ Star Crossed World: 5.7 GBBookmark IGN's Switch 2 preorder guide today, and when anything goes live, we'll post links the moment they become available. Get notified when a Nintendo Switch 2 console, game, or accessory preorder listing goes live by following IGN Deals on Twitter/X or Bluesky.
