Nintendo has officially unveiled its array of Black Friday promotions for the year. While there are no direct cash reductions on Switch hardware, Nintendo is presenting a fresh Switch OLED bundle. Priced at $350, this bundle includes a digital copy of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and a three-month individual Nintendo Switch Online subscription at no additional expense. The Joy-Con controllers for the console also showcase a design inspired by Smash Bros. This comprehensive package is accessible at various retailers, including Walmart, Target, GameStop, Best Buy, and Nintendo’s official online store.
Nintendo Switch OLED + Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Bundle
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate typically carries a retail price between $50 and $60, and a Switch Online membership is valued at $8, providing savings in that range with this bundle. While standalone console prices have been seen at a lower point, if trying out Smash Bros. has been on your agenda, this bundle offers a favorable option with a free pack-in game. Despite Ultimate’s 2018 release, it remains the quintessential fighter for Nintendo’s system, securing a position on our list of the best Switch games.
In addition, Nintendo has discounted several of its own Switch titles. Some noteworthy examples include the charming adventure game Luigi’s Mansion 3 reduced to $40, the 3D platformer Kirby and the Forgotten Land reaching a new low of $42, and the 2D platformer Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze marked down to a new low of $30. Both Luigi’s Mansion and Tropical Freeze are featured in our compilation of the best couch co-op games, while Forgotten Land is highlighted on our aforementioned list of the best overall Switch games. Additionally, the RPG Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is available for $40, and Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe and Mario Strikers: Battle League are each priced at a low of $30. While some of these deals may not be the lowest ever, and the essential status of games like Battle League and Return to Dream Land is debatable, each offers at least a modest discount from their usual prices.
Among non-Nintendo-published Switch games in the American market, the turn-based strategy game Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is currently discounted to $15. The recently launched Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 sees a $20 reduction, now priced at $40, while the intense RPG Shin Megami Tensei V is available at an unprecedented low of $20. Additionally, acclaimed RPGs Persona 5 Royal and Octopath Traveler II are on sale for $25 and $39, respectively. (Note that the PS5 version of the latter can be obtained for $9 less.)
Simultaneously, the Nintendo eShop is hosting a “Cyber Deals” sale until December 3, featuring many of the aforementioned deals along with other notable discounts. Highlights include the Portal Companion Collection (encompassing the classic puzzlers Portal and Portal 2) for $6.79, the emotionally resonant management sim Spiritfarer for $7.49, the nostalgic platformer The Messenger for $5, the beat-em-up Streets of Rage 4 for $12.49, and the exceptionally well-written Kentucky Route Zero and Disco Elysium for $12.49 and $14, respectively. Each of these prices matches the lowest recorded for the Switch versions of these games to date.
Regrettably, and somewhat predictably, many of Nintendo’s latest releases are not officially part of the ongoing sales. Therefore, substantial discounts on 2023 games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Pikmin 4, or Super Mario Bros. Wonder are not anticipated. Staples has technically listed Zelda and Wonder at $40 each, but both games are currently out of stock as of this writing. While GameStop offers a modest $5 reduction on Wonder for online orders with in-store pickup, this isn’t considered a significant deal. On a positive note, the older titles Super Mario Odyssey and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild are on sale for $40 each. However, Walmart has announced a forthcoming price drop to $30 for both games on November 22, so it may be advisable to wait if you haven’t experienced them yet.
Additionally, there’s a bundle featuring a set of red and blue Joy-Cons paired with a digital copy of Super Mario Party for $100. Considering that the controllers are typically priced at $80, this deal effectively reduces the game’s cost to $20, offering a savings of approximately $30 compared to its standalone price. It’s essential to note that this isn’t the latest Mario Party game—Mario Party Superstars, released two years ago holds that distinction. Nonetheless, if you’re in the market for a few new boards to play and find yourself in need of a set of Joy-Cons, this bundle could be a worthwhile consideration.
If you’re not inclined to invest in the Switch OLED, Nintendo continues to offer holiday bundles for the standard Switch and Switch Lite. While the consoles themselves maintain their regular prices of $300 and $200, respectively, the standard Switch is packaged with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and a Switch Online membership at various retailers. Meanwhile, the Switch Lite is bundled with Animal Crossing: New Horizons at Walmart and Target.
These bundles have been on the market for several weeks, featuring games that have been around for a while—Mario Kart was released back in 2017, and Animal Crossing debuted in 2020. The Mario Kart bundle, in particular, is a recurring offer from Nintendo during the holiday season, so it may not be considered an extraordinary deal. Nevertheless, both games typically retail for $40 to $50 individually and are recommended in our Switch games buying guide. For those just joining the Switch community, these bundles serve as robust entry points.
The significant caveat to consider is that we may be approaching the conclusion of the Switch’s life cycle. The original console debuted almost seven years ago, and there have been indications suggesting a potential successor arriving in 2024. According to a recent Eurogamer report, Nintendo presented a potential “Switch 2” to developers in August. If you’re not in a hurry to catch up on missed Switch games, it might be prudent to wait.
Nonetheless, the Switch’s game library remains impressive. If you or your child have been contemplating joining the community, these deals offer some additional value—although it would have been preferable to witness more substantial discounts on the consoles at this stage.
