If you're gearing up for the Nintendo Switch 2 or simply seeking a fast, future-proof memory card, don't miss this deal. The Lexar 512GB Play PRO MicroSD Express Card is back in stock and available on Amazon for just $89.92, down from its regular price of $99.99. This is one of the few larger capacity MicroSD Express cards on the market, and it's officially compatible with the upcoming Switch 2. Why does this matter? Because Nintendo has confirmed that the next-generation console will **only** support MicroSD Express for expandable storage, making your older cards from the original Switch obsolete, no matter their remaining capacity.
Lexar 512GB Play PRO microSDXC Express Card
**$99.99 save 10%**
**$89.92 at Amazon**
Why the shift to MicroSD Express? Speed. These cards utilize the same PCIe interface as the high-speed 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. This means faster load times and no performance bottlenecks when loading larger, more demanding games from your expansion card.
At 512GB, the Lexar card offers a perfect balance between storage capacity and price. With some confirmed Switch 2 games exceeding 20GB, the internal 256GB won't last long. While a 1TB Express card can cost nearly $200, this 512GB option represents the current sweet spot—**if you can find it in stock**. Additionally, the 256GB variant is also 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, securing one of these cards now is advisable 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, and some are surprisingly compact. According to the Japanese My Nintendo Store, these games vary in size, making the 256GB of internal storage seem more substantial than initially thought.
The largest file size listed is for Mario Kart World at 23.4 GB, which occupies about 10% of the Switch 2's internal storage. In comparison, Cyberpunk 2077 is significantly larger at 64 GB, taking up 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.**
