If you're gearing up for the Nintendo Switch 2 or simply seeking 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 has been discounted to $89.92 on Amazon, down from its usual price of $99.99. This is one of the few larger-capacity MicroSD Express cards available, and it's officially compatible with the upcoming Switch 2. This is crucial, as Nintendo has confirmed that its next-generation console will only support MicroSD Express for expandable storage, rendering all older cards from the original Switch incompatible, 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 boasts 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 you won't experience performance bottlenecks when loading larger, more demanding games from your expansion card.
With a capacity of 512GB, this Lexar card strikes an excellent balance between storage and price. Given that some confirmed Switch 2 games are over 20GB in size, the internal 256GB storage won't last long. While a 1TB Express card would cost nearly $200, this 512GB option seems to be the current sweet spot, especially if you can find it in stock. There's also a 256GB version available, currently discounted to $47.67 on Amazon.
Availability has been inconsistent, with many MicroSD Express cards selling out quickly following 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 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 disclosed some of the file sizes for its Switch 2 games, and some are surprisingly small. According to the Japanese My Nintendo Store, the largest game listed is Mario Kart World, which requires 23.4 GB, taking up about 10% of the Switch 2’s total internal storage. In comparison, Cyberpunk 2077 is significantly larger at 64 GB, 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
To stay updated on Switch 2 preorders, bookmark IGN's Switch 2 preorder guide. We'll provide immediate links when any new listings go live. Follow IGN Deals on Twitter/X or Bluesky to get notifications when a Nintendo Switch 2 console, game, or accessory preorder becomes available.
