If you're gearing up for the Nintendo Switch 2 or simply seeking a high-speed, future-ready memory card, the Lexar 512GB Play PRO MicroSD Express Card is a deal worth noting. Currently available on Amazon for $89.92, down from its usual price of $99.99, this card is back in stock and ready to meet your storage needs.
This MicroSD Express card stands out as one of the few larger-capacity options available, and it's officially compatible with the upcoming Switch 2. This compatibility is crucial, as Nintendo has confirmed that the next-generation console will only support MicroSD Express for expandable storage. This means that all your older cards from the original Switch won't work, regardless of their remaining capacity.
Switch 2 Compatible### Lexar 512GB Play PRO microSDXC Express Card
4$99.99 save 10%$89.92 at AmazonThe shift to MicroSD Express is all about speed. These cards use the same PCIe interface as the ultra-fast NVMe SSDs found in modern gaming PCs. The Lexar Play PRO boasts read speeds of up to 985MB/s, nearly ten times faster than the UHS-I cards used in the current Switch. This enhanced speed translates to quicker load times and ensures that your console's performance won't be hindered when loading larger, more demanding games from the expansion card.
With a capacity of 512GB, the Lexar card offers 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 can cost nearly $200, this 512GB option represents the current sweet spot, especially if you can find it in stock. There's also a 256GB version available at Amazon for $47.67.
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, now is the time to secure one of these cards before they disappear 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, and they're surprisingly modest. The Japanese My Nintendo Store has listed several Switch 2 games along with their sizes. Based on these figures, the 256GB of internal storage seems more significant than initially thought.
The largest file size so far is Mario Kart World, at 23.4GB, which occupies about 10% of the Switch 2's internal storage. In comparison, Cyberpunk 2077 on the Nintendo Switch 2 is much larger at 64GB, taking up approximately 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 we'll post links as soon as they become available. Stay updated on Nintendo Switch 2 console, game, or accessory preorder listings by following IGN Deals on Twitter/X or Bluesky.
