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 noting. This card is now back in stock on Amazon at a reduced price of $89.92, down from its regular $99.99.
This is 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 only support MicroSD Express for expandable storage, rendering older cards from the original Switch incompatible, regardless of their remaining space.
Switch 2 Compatible### Lexar 512GB Play PRO microSDXC Express Card
4$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 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 translates to faster load times and ensures that performance won't be bottlenecked when loading larger, more demanding games from the expansion card.
At 512GB, the Lexar card offers an excellent balance between storage and price. Given that some confirmed Switch 2 games exceed 20GB, the internal 256GB storage won't suffice for long. While a 1TB Express card costs nearly $200, this 512GB option appears to be the sweet spot, if you can find it in stock. There's also a 256GB option available for $47.67 on 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're out of stock again. Speed is non-negotiable for the next generation of portable consoles, and currently, 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 compact. The Japanese My Nintendo Store lists several Switch 2 games with their file sizes. The internal storage of 256GB seems more substantial than initially thought, given these sizes.
The largest file size listed is for Mario Kart World at 23.4 GB, which occupies around 10% of the Switch 2’s internal storage. Comparatively, Cyberpunk 2077 takes up 64 GB, which is a significant 25% of the console's internal storage.
Mario Kart World: 23.4 GBDonkey Kong Bananza: 10 GBNintendo Classics: GameCube app: 3.5 GBSuper Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition ＋ Jamboree TV: 7.7 GBKirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition ＋ Star Crossed World: 5.7 GBBookmark 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.
