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 deal. The Lexar 512GB Play PRO MicroSD Express Card is back in stock and currently priced at $89.92 on Amazon, a reduction from its regular price of $99.99.
This card stands out as one of the few larger-capacity MicroSD Express cards available, and it's officially compatible with the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. This compatibility is crucial because Nintendo has confirmed that the next-generation console will exclusively support MicroSD Express for expandable storage. This means your existing cards from the original Switch won't work, regardless of their remaining capacity.
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 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 increased speed results in faster load times and ensures that the performance of larger, more demanding games isn't hindered by slower storage.
With a capacity of 512GB, the Lexar card offers a perfect balance between storage and price. Some confirmed Switch 2 games are over 20GB in size, so the console's internal 256GB won't last long. While a 1TB Express card can cost nearly $200, this 512GB option represents the current sweet spot, especially when available in stock. There's also a 256GB version available, currently reduced to $47.67 at Amazon.
Availability has been inconsistent, with many MicroSD Express cards quickly selling out after 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 at present, this Lexar deal offers the fastest and most cost-effective way to prepare.
Switch 2 Game Storage Sizes:
Nintendo has revealed the file sizes for some Switch 2 games, and some are surprisingly small. According to the Japanese My Nintendo Store, several Switch 2 games and their file sizes have been listed. Based on these sizes, the 256GB of internal storage seems like a significant upgrade from what we initially thought.
The largest file size currently is Mario Kart World, at 23.4 GB, which occupies around 10% of the Switch 2’s total internal storage. Comparatively, Mario Kart World is quite lean next to Cyberpunk 2077, which requires 64 GB on the Nintendo Switch 2, taking up a hefty 25% of the console's 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.
