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 now back in stock on Amazon at a reduced price of $89.92, down from its regular $99.99.
This card stands out as one of the few larger-capacity MicroSD Express options available, and it's officially compatible with the upcoming Switch 2. This is crucial because Nintendo has confirmed that its next-generation console will exclusively support MicroSD Express for expandable storage. This means your older cards from the original Switch won't work, no matter their remaining space.
Lexar 512GB Play PRO microSDXC Express Card
$99.99 save 10%
$89.92 at Amazon
Why the shift to MicroSD Express? It's all about speed. These cards utilize the same PCIe interface as the ultra-fast NVMe SSDs in modern gaming PCs. The Lexar Play PRO can achieve read speeds up to 985MB/s—nearly ten times faster than the UHS-I cards used in the current Switch. This translates to quicker load times and ensures you won't experience performance bottlenecks when playing larger, more demanding games from your expansion card.
With a capacity of 512GB, this Lexar card offers an excellent balance between storage and price. Some confirmed Switch 2 games are over 20GB in size, meaning the 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 if you can find it in stock. There's also a 256GB version available at a discounted price of $47.67 on Amazon.
Availability has been unpredictable, 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 secure one of these cards before they disappear 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 revealed some file sizes for Switch 2 games, and some are surprisingly small. The Japanese My Nintendo Store lists several Switch 2 games along with their sizes. Based on these, the 256GB of internal storage seems more substantial than initially thought.
The largest file size is Mario Kart World at 23.4 GB, which occupies only about 10% of the Switch 2's total internal storage. Compared to the hefty Cyberpunk 2077, which takes up 64 GB on the Switch 2 (a significant 25% of the internal storage), Mario Kart World is relatively compact.
- 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.
