If you're gearing up for the Nintendo Switch 2 or simply in need of a high-speed, 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 now available at a reduced price of $89.92 on Amazon, down from its usual $99.99.

This card stands out as one of the few MicroSD Express cards available in larger capacities, and it's officially compatible with the upcoming Switch 2. This compatibility is crucial because Nintendo has confirmed that the next-generation console will only support MicroSD Express for expandable storage. This means your older cards from the original Switch won't be compatible, regardless of their remaining space.

Switch 2 Compatible### Lexar 512GB Play PRO microSDXC Express Card

$99.99 save 10%$89.92 at AmazonThe shift to MicroSD Express is all about speed. These cards utilize the same PCIe interface as the 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 model. This increased speed results in faster load times and ensures that performance won't be bottlenecked when loading larger, more demanding games from your expansion card.

At 512GB, the Lexar card offers a great balance between storage capacity 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 costs nearly $200, this 512GB option represents the current sweet spot, if you can find it in stock. There's also a 256GB option available at a reduced price of $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 disappear from 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.

Nintendo has disclosed some file sizes for Switch 2 games, and they're surprisingly compact. The Japanese My Nintendo Store lists several Switch 2 games with their file sizes. These sizes suggest that the 256GB of internal storage is a more substantial upgrade than initially thought.

The largest file size is for Mario Kart World, at 23.4 GB, which occupies about 10% of the Switch 2's internal storage. Mario Kart World is relatively small compared to the heftier Cyberpunk 2077, which requires 64 GB on the Nintendo Switch 2, taking up a significant 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 the moment they become available. Stay updated on Nintendo Switch 2 console, game, or accessory preorders by following IGN Deals on Twitter/X or Bluesky.