If you're gearing up for the Nintendo Switch 2 or simply seeking a high-speed, future-proof memory card, you'll want to take note of this exceptional deal. The Lexar 512GB Play PRO MicroSD Express Card is back in stock on Amazon and has been discounted to $89.92, down from its usual price of $99.99.
This card is one of the few MicroSD Express options available in larger capacities and is officially compatible with the upcoming Switch 2. This compatibility is crucial, as Nintendo has confirmed that its next-generation console will exclusively support MicroSD Express for expandable storage. This means that all your older cards from the original Switch will be 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 ultra-fast NVMe SSDs found in modern gaming PCs. The Lexar Play PRO can achieve read speeds of up to 985MB/s—nearly ten times faster than the UHS-I cards used in the current Switch model. This increased speed translates to faster load times and ensures that performance isn't hindered when loading larger, more demanding games from your expansion card.
At 512GB, the Lexar card offers an excellent balance between storage capacity and price. With some confirmed Switch 2 games exceeding 20GB in size, the internal 256GB storage won't suffice for long. While a 1TB Express card can cost nearly $200, this 512GB option is currently the sweet spot—if you can secure it in stock. There's also a 256GB version available, currently discounted to $47.67 on Amazon.
Availability has been inconsistent, with many MicroSD Express cards selling out quickly following the Switch 2 announcement. If you plan to purchase the new console at launch, now is the time to grab one of these cards before they become unavailable again. Speed is non-negotiable for the next generation of portable consoles, and 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, and some are surprisingly compact. The Japanese My Nintendo Store lists several Switch 2 games along with their file sizes. Based on these revelations, the 256GB of internal storage seems more substantial than initially thought.
The largest file size listed is for Mario Kart World, at 23.4GB, which occupies about 10% of the Switch 2's total internal storage. In comparison, Mario Kart World is relatively small next to the hefty Cyberpunk 2077, which requires 64GB on the Nintendo Switch 2, consuming a significant 25% of the internal storage.
- Mario Kart World: 23.4 GB
- Donkey Kong Bananza: 10 GB
- Nintendo Classics: GameCube app: 3.5 GB
- Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition ＋ Jamboree TV: 7.7 GB
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition ＋ Star Crossed World: 5.7 GB
Bookmark 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.
