If you're getting ready for the Nintendo Switch 2 or simply in need of 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 now available at a reduced price of $89.92 on Amazon, down 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 Switch 2. This is crucial because Nintendo has confirmed that its next-generation console will exclusively support MicroSD Express for expandable storage, making all older cards from the original Switch obsolete, regardless of their remaining space.
Lexar 512GB Play PRO microSDXC Express Card
$99.99 save 10%
$89.92 at Amazon
Why the switch to MicroSD Express? It's all about 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 up to 985MB/s—nearly ten times faster than the UHS-I cards used in the current Switch. This means faster load times and ensures that your expansion card won't bottleneck performance when handling larger, more demanding games.
At 512GB, the Lexar card offers a great balance between storage capacity and price. With some confirmed Switch 2 games exceeding 20GB, the internal 256GB storage won't last long. While a 1TB Express card costs nearly $200, this 512GB option is currently the best value—**if you can find it in stock**. There's also a 256GB option available for $47.67 at 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 secure 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 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 file sizes. Based on these, the 256GB of internal storage seems like a more significant upgrade than initially thought.
The largest file size is Mario Kart World at 23.4GB, which takes up about 10% of the Switch 2's total internal storage. In comparison, Cyberpunk 2077 is much larger at 64GB, consuming 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.**
