Update Price Nintendo Switch Deals, Bundles, and Essentials

Price Nintendo Switch Deals, Bundles, and Essentials

OUTSIDE OF RETAIL holidays like Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day, there aren't a ton of great discounts on Nintendo's popular consoles, the Switch and Switch Lite. That's partially due to their popularity, the ongoing global pandemic, and Nintendo's reluctance to discount its products often. If you're patient, the consoles will come back in stock eventually. You can also use a service like Zoolert to get alerts for when it's back in stock.

The standard Switch has detachable Joy-Con controllers on its left and right side and comes with a TV dock so you can also play games on your television. There is a Switch Lite that's cheaper and comes in more colors, but the Joy-Con controllers are attached to its body, so you'd need an extra set if you wanted to play with your hands separated. The Switch Lite also can't dock to a TV. There are rumors of a Nintendo Switch Pro coming out in 2021, but it hasn't been officially announced.

If you don't own a Switch yet, we've got your back. Below are all of the best Nintendo Switch deals and bundles we can find. We've also added some of the best Switch games you should consider and these are 25 great accessories you might want, depending on your needs.

Updated for November 2020: There is very little reliable stock to be found for Nintendo Switch consoles. We've been trying to keep this updated every month or two, but due to the shortages, inventory comes and goes very quickly.

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Best Prices for Switch Right Now

The Switch is normally $299, and most top-tier games cost $60, whether you buy a physical cartridge or a digital copy. You can choose between an all-gray version or one with blue and red Joy-Con controllers (not to mention limited-edition models with fun designs). Note that over the past year, some users have been experiencing issues with Joy-Con controllers "drifting." Should you encounter that, Nintendo will remedy the issue.

If you can, it's a good idea to wait for a holiday sale, as that's when you'll find the best deals. Make sure you buy the New Nintendo Switch model (model number: "HAC-001(-01)") with improved battery life. Its box is entirely red on the front, except for a white Switch logo and the console. The old box has a white background.

Nintendo Switch (Neon Blue/Neon Red) for $300: Amazon's shipping is delayed, but this console isn't price-gouged. It is set to ship in late November or as soon as more stock is available. If you don't have an extra Micro SD card around, we recommend going for this bundle, which includes 128 GB of external storage for just $1 more than the less-enticing 64 GB bundle.

Nintendo Switch Animal Crossing Edition for $300: This special edition console has been tough to find in stock at a reasonable price since it was unveiled. Best Buy has it around for the right price. Confusingly, the bundle doesn't include a copy of the game, but Best Buy has that on sale too.

Select Nintendo Switch Games for $20 off: Since most bundles don't come with games, this is a nice way to fill up your library at a discount. These games have been $20 off for awhile now, but we don't expect them to drop much more with the upcoming holiday shopping discounts, so now is as good a time as ever to buy if you're in the market.

Best Prices for Switch Lite Right Now

The Nintendo Switch Lite typically costs $199, but it plays the same games. This console doesn't have removable Joy-Con controllers (you'll have to buy them if a game requires 'em), and it can't be docked, but it does come in your choice of turquoise, yellow, or gray. You can read more about the differences here. Nintendo Switch Lite consoles also face ongoing stock shortages, but they're in stock more often.

Nintendo Switch Lite (Turquoise, Gray, or Yellow) for $200: It ain't on sale, but it also isn't overpriced. Depending on which color you choose, you may have to wait for your order to ship. We advise picking up the console paired with an inexpensive Micro SD card if you don't have extras floating around.

Retailers that Carry the Switch

These links lead to retailer pages where you can find the Switch, in case you're hunting for something more specific or can't find it in stock. You can also often find secondhand units on eBay or Facebook Marketplace. We have a guide to shopping safe on eBay that you should check out before purchasing from a private seller.

• Amazon
• Best Buy
• GameStop
• Walmart
• Newegg
• Target
• eBay

Refurbished Switches From Nintendo

We don't always recommend refurbished units, but Nintendo has a good track record, and a couple of us on the WIRED team have purchased refurbished consoles from it. These all come with a 1-year warranty, just like you'd get with a new Switch. It's not a huge discount, but you can save a few bucks.

Update: Nintendo's stock is currently sold out, but you can enter your email to be notified when inventory is replenished.

• Refurbished Nintendo Switch with Gray Joy-Cons ($260)
• Refurbished Nintendo Switch with Blue/Red Joy-Cons ($260)

Switch Essentials You'll Need

All of these are in our Best Nintendo Switch Accessories guide, but to get you started, we've included a few links below for items you really should get. You'll need a MicroSD card to download and fit extra games. Get one with as many gigs as you can afford, so you don't have to buy more in the future. We also highly recommend buying a screen protector, a travel case, and a Nintendo Pro Controller.

• 128 GB SanDisk MicroSD Card ($22)
• AmFilm Glass Screen Protector ($8)
• Orzly Carrying Case (For Travel) ($15)
• Nintendo Switch Online Membership (For One Person) 
• ($20)Nintendo Switch Online Membership (For NES/SNES games and multiplayer) ($35)

Gaming Headsets Worth a Look

Using a gaming headset on the Switch is more complicated than it should be. Nintendo's online service requires you to use a smartphone to chat in games like Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, but if you also want to hear in-game audio in your headset, you have to connect it to the Switch via a 3.5-mm headphone jack. Fortnite, and other games, do not use the smartphone app. If you want to get the most out of your headset, we recommend the two products below .

SteelSeries Arctis 3 Wireless Headset for $73 ($27 off): This is one of the best wireless gaming headsets, and one of only a few that work with Switch. It connects to the Switch via a 3.5-mm headphone jack and can pipe in Bluetooth audio from your phone. It's also incredibly comfy and works with other systems.

1. SteelSeries Arctis 1 Headset for $50: This is one of our favorite headsets (we reviewed the wireless version) and it will connect to Switch.
2. Astro A10 Wired Headset ($40): This Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild-themed headset connects to your phone and the Nintendo Switch. It's not wireless, but it works. It will run on other systems as well.

Must-Have Switch Games

There are a lot of fantastic Nintendo Switch games, but we've highlighted a few of our favorites here. For even more suggestions, read WIRED's Best Nintendo Switch Games.

• Animal Crossing: New Horizons ($60)
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate ($60) - Read our review
• Untitled Goose Game ($20)
• Pokémon Sword ($60) or Pokémon Shield ($60)
• Super Mario Odyssey ($60)
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild ($60)
• Snipperclips Plus: Cut It Out, Together! ($40)
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe ($52)
• Splatoon 2 ($40)
• Bayonetta + Bayonetta 2 ($60)
• Rocket League ($19)
• Donkey Kong Country: Tropic Freeze ($57)
• Indie games to download: Stardew Valley ($15), Celeste ($20) (read our review), Katana Zero ($15) , Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove ($40), Hades ($25) (read our review)

Be sure to also read our top Tips and Tricks for the Nintendo Switch.