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Should you buy a Nintendo Switch this Prime Day?

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Amazon Prime Day is coming our way - is it time you picked up a Switch?

Nintendo Switch OLED on a matte black background
(Image credit: Future)
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To Switch or not to Switch? Amazon's annual summer sale is rapidly approaching, and with rumors continuing to swirl around the next Ninty console, many may find themselves wondering whether they should buy a Nintendo Switch on Prime Day. Whether you're questioning if Prime Day is the best time to buy, or you're weighing up grabbing the hybrid console at all, we're here to help you work out the best course of action. 

This is a multi-faceted debate. There are three Nintendo consoles on the shelves right now; the Lite, the standard edition, and the OLED model, and each brings its own use-case. On top of that, though, we've also got a full year of sales ahead of us - who's to say Prime Day gaming deals are going to yield the best value? 

Ultimately, the question of whether you should be parsing this year's Prime Day Nintendo Switch deals for a saving comes down to what, when, and how you want to play. That's why we've split this guide into two sections, with advice for newbies looking to pick up their first console and for those looking to upgrade their existing device. 

Of course, there's another shadow looming on the horizon as well...

The Switch 2 conundrum

The Nintendo Switch 2 has been picking up steam on the rumor mill over the last few months, with the brand's relative silence only fueling intrigue around a new release. The truth is, we don't know much about the Nintendo Switch's successor, and the nuggets of information we do have suggest this won't be a hard cut between console generations. 

Rumors put the launch of the next Nintendo console in March 2025, which means we've still got just under a year with the original device. That's enough time to catch up on the system's library before the new model hits the shelves, so if you're interested in playing over the next 11 months we'd still recommend buying a Nintendo Switch on Prime Day. 

That is, of course, unless you're tied to one new console in the next few years and you can wait for a new generation device. 

Newbies

Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite and Nintendo Switch OLED

(Image credit: Nintendo)

If you're brand new to the Nintendo Switch system, Prime Day is going to be particularly kind to you. While we don't see too many straight discounts on the consoles themselves during this summer sale, the last few years have been plentiful in their bundle supplies. We even saw the traditionally Black Friday-only Mario Kart 8 bundle on the shelves in last year's October round of Prime Day offers. These kinds of bundles stretch across Lite, standard, and OLED models, so whether you're going all out on the latest device or picking up a cheaper handheld-only system you should be covered with some solid discounts on included games and accessories. 

Picking up a Nintendo Switch over Prime Day gives you four months of play time before November's Black Friday sales hit the shelves, where we have traditionally seen better offers. Price cuts themselves are still rare in the US (though more likely in the UK). Things might be a little different this year, though. 

Last Black Friday we saw a number of bundles sticking around on the shelves for months. These were even still available as recently as January. We could, then, see the same bundles returning in July - and if we do so they're a sure buy. We're not expecting Nintendo to improve on its offer of a free game with a fully-priced console in 2024. 

Upgraders

Nintendo Switch OLED hands-on

(Image credit: Future)

Prime Day is also an excellent opportunity to save if your old system is in need of an upgrade. However, the best value is going to be in trading up from a Switch Lite to a Switch OLED. While the standard edition may be slightly cheaper, the overall value of the OLED model is far greater. 

Because you might not be relying on bundles as much, the question of waiting for Black Friday does hold a little more weight. As we've seen in previous years, you're far more likely to find a straight price cut during Black Friday (and bundle deals might include newer releases). Plus, if you've already got a console to tide you over for those four months you're not going to feel the hit of missing out quite so keenly. 

If you're after the absolute lowest price possible, or you want to save on bundles with 2024's games included, Prime Day might not be the best time to buy. 

Should you buy a Nintendo Switch on Prime Day?

Should you buy a Nintendo Switch on Prime Day?

Nintendo Switch OLED lifestyle image

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Whether you should buy a Nintendo Switch on Prime Day or not comes down to your reasons for buying. The threat of a new console isn't quite as dramatic as one might think with all the rumors flying across the web, and shouldn't put you off enjoying the Switch's catalog now. If you're upgrading, you might find better value in sales later in the year all while still enjoying the console you've got now. However, those additional savings could only amount to a small change in the grand scheme of things. Newbies, however, can find excellent value in Amazon's summer sale - especially because it traditionally leans more towards bundles than straight discounts. 

Buy a Nintendo Switch on Prime Day if:

You've never owned a Nintendo Switch before
Even if the next Nintendo console is just around the corner, there's still a massive library ready and waiting to be enjoyed on the current system. We don't know whether the new console will be another Switch or something completely different, but grabbing a console now will mean you're sure to play through this excellent catalog. 


Nintendo Switch OLED is featured in bundles
If you're upgrading your standard or Lite console, we'd recommend jumping on the OLED only if it's included in bundles. We rarely see consoles dipping too far away from their MSRPs, but bundles can send you home with far greater value and are easier to find over Prime Day as well. 

You're buying a Lite
While stock is a little trickier to come by, we do sometimes see the Nintendo Switch Lite taking part in rare bundles over larger sales events. This device is seldom discounted by itself (especially in the US), so Prime Day is the perfect opportunity to save. 

Don't buy a Nintendo Switch on Prime Day if:

You want the absolute lowest price possible
We generally see the lowest prices on Black Friday, including bundles shipping free games with consoles as well. While offers are traditionally good over Prime Day, there will be better ones come November. Of course, that's a while away and the difference might only be $10 or $20. 

You don't like Nintendo games
It sounds obvious, but it's worth noting that the Nintendo Switch is based around the company's first party releases. Yes, there's a good selection of larger titles on the eShop but they won't run as well as they would on another console or PC. 

We're also getting you prepped for all this year's Prime Day PS5 deals and Prime Day gaming laptop deals if you're after more ways to save. Or, take a look at the latest Nintendo Switch deals on the market for discounts available now. 

Tabitha Baker
Tabitha Baker
Managing Editor - Hardware

Managing Editor of Hardware at GamesRadar+, I originally landed in hardware at our sister site TechRadar before moving over to GamesRadar. In between, I've written for Tom’s Guide, Wireframe, The Indie Game Website and That Video Game Blog, covering everything from the PS5 launch to the Apple Pencil. Now, i'm focused on Nintendo Switch, gaming laptops (and the keyboards, headsets and mice that come with them), PS5, and trying to find the perfect projector.