If you're gearing up for the Nintendo Switch 2 or simply in need of a fast, future-proof memory card, the current deal on the Lexar 512GB Play PRO MicroSD Express Card is worth your attention. Now back in stock at Amazon, it's available for $89.92, a nice drop from its usual $99.99 price tag.

This card stands out as one of the few MicroSD Express options in larger capacities, and it's officially compatible with the upcoming Switch 2. This compatibility is crucial because Nintendo has confirmed that their next-gen console will exclusively support MicroSD Express for expandable storage, making all older cards from the original Switch incompatible, regardless of 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 high-speed NVMe SSDs in modern gaming PCs, allowing the Lexar Play PRO to achieve read speeds up to 985MB/s—nearly ten times faster than the UHS-I cards used in the current Switch. This speed translates to faster load times and ensures you won't experience performance bottlenecks when loading larger, more demanding games from your expansion card.

With a capacity of 512GB, the Lexar card strikes an excellent balance between storage and price. Given that some confirmed Switch 2 games exceed 20GB, the internal 256GB won't last long. While a 1TB Express card can cost nearly $200, this 512GB option is currently the sweet spot, especially when in stock. There's also a 256GB version available for $47.67 at Amazon.

Availability has been inconsistent, with many MicroSD Express cards quickly selling out post the Switch 2 reveal. If you plan to get the new console at launch, now is the time to secure one of these cards before they vanish again. Speed is non-negotiable for the next generation of portable consoles, and at the moment, this Lexar deal offers the fastest and most cost-effective way to prepare.

Nintendo has disclosed some Switch 2 game sizes, revealing that some are surprisingly compact. The Japanese My Nintendo Store lists several Switch 2 games alongside their file sizes, suggesting that the 256GB of internal storage might be more significant than initially thought.

The largest file size is Mario Kart World at 23.4 GB, which occupies around 10% of the Switch 2’s total internal storage. In comparison, Cyberpunk 2077 on the Switch 2 weighs in at 64 GB, taking up a substantial 25% of the 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. Stay updated on Nintendo Switch 2 console, game, or accessory preorder listings by following IGN Deals on Twitter/X or Bluesky.