If you're gearing up for the Nintendo Switch 2 or simply seeking a fast, future-proof memory card, the current deal on the Lexar 512GB Play PRO MicroSD Express Card is worth your attention. Available again at Amazon, it's now priced at $89.92, down from its regular $99.99.
This card is one of the few larger-capacity MicroSD Express options on the market, and crucially, it's officially compatible with the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. This is significant because Nintendo has confirmed that the next-generation console will exclusively support MicroSD Express for expandable storage, rendering older cards from the original Switch obsolete, regardless of their remaining capacity.
Switch 2 Compatible### Lexar 512GB Play PRO microSDXC Express Card
$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 high-speed NVMe SSDs in modern gaming PCs, enabling the Lexar Play PRO to reach read speeds of up to 985MB/s—nearly ten times faster than the UHS-I cards used in the current Switch. This increase in speed translates to quicker load times and ensures that the performance isn't hindered when loading larger, more demanding games from the expansion card.
At 512GB, this Lexar card offers an excellent balance of storage and price. With some confirmed Switch 2 games exceeding 20GB, the internal 256GB won't last long. While a 1TB Express card costs nearly $200, this 512GB option represents the current sweet spot, especially given its availability. There's also a 256GB version available for $47.67 at Amazon.
Stock levels for MicroSD Express cards have been unpredictable, with many selling out quickly after the Switch 2 announcement. If you're planning to purchase the new console at launch, now is the time to secure one of these cards before they disappear from stock 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, revealing that some are surprisingly compact. The Japanese My Nintendo Store lists several Switch 2 games with their respective file sizes, indicating that the 256GB of internal storage is a more significant upgrade 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 internal storage. In comparison, Mario Kart World is relatively small next to the heftier Cyberpunk 2077, which requires 64GB on the Nintendo Switch 2, consuming a quarter 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
Be sure to bookmark IGN's Switch 2 preorder guide to stay updated. We'll provide links as soon as they're available. Follow IGN Deals on Twitter/X or Bluesky to get notifications when a Nintendo Switch 2 console, game, or accessory preorder listing goes live.
