If you're gearing up for the Nintendo Switch 2 or simply seeking a high-speed, future-proof memory card, the Lexar 512GB Play PRO MicroSD Express Card is a deal you won't want to miss. Currently back in stock on Amazon, it's available for $89.92, down from its regular price of $99.99.

This card is one of the few larger-capacity MicroSD Express options on the market and is officially compatible with the upcoming Switch 2. This compatibility is crucial, as Nintendo has confirmed that their next-generation console will exclusively support MicroSD Express cards for expandable storage, rendering older cards from the original Switch unusable, 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 driven by speed. These cards utilize the same PCIe interface as the ultra-fast NVMe SSDs in modern gaming PCs, allowing the Lexar Play PRO to achieve read speeds of up to 985MB/s—nearly ten times faster than the UHS-I cards used in the current Switch. This increased speed translates to quicker load times and ensures that performance isn't hindered when running larger, more demanding games from the expansion card.

At 512GB, the Lexar card offers an excellent balance of storage and price. Given that some confirmed Switch 2 games exceed 20GB, the console's internal 256GB storage will fill up quickly. While a 1TB Express card can cost nearly $200, the 512GB option represents the current sweet spot, especially considering its availability. The 256GB version is also on sale at Amazon for $47.67.

Availability has been inconsistent, with many MicroSD Express cards selling out rapidly following the Switch 2 announcement. If you plan to purchase the new console at launch, securing one of these cards now is advisable, as stock can quickly disappear. 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.

Nintendo has disclosed some file sizes for Switch 2 games, revealing that some are smaller than expected. The Japanese My Nintendo Store lists several Switch 2 games along with their file sizes. These figures suggest that the 256GB of internal storage is more substantial than initially thought.

The largest game size listed is Mario Kart World at 23.4 GB, which occupies about 10% of the Switch 2's internal storage. In comparison, Cyberpunk 2077 takes up 64 GB, accounting for 25% of the console's 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 Nintendo Switch 2 preorders, bookmark IGN's Switch 2 preorder guide. We'll provide links as soon as they're available. Follow IGN Deals on Twitter/X or Bluesky to receive notifications when a Nintendo Switch 2 console, game, or accessory preorder listing goes live.