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1. The Legend of Zelda
2. Super Mario
3. Pokemon
4. Metroid
5. Splatoon
6. Kirby
7. Animal Crossing
8. Smash Bros.
9. Fire Emblem
10. Donkey Kong
The best cheap Nintendo Switch game deals are more important than ever before. Both original Switch digital games and physical carts are playable on the Nintendo Switch 2, thanks to its handy backward compatibility. Better yet, the Switch recently received a handheld mode boost, which helps upscale older games and make them look even better on the new console's larger 1080p display.
Nintendo's policy on pricing means that these older games very rarely see price drops, even to this very day. However, now that original Switch launch titles have also passed their ninth birthdays, we are seeing more and more price drops across the catalog. They're rare, but they do happen.
So far, it's primarily third-party games and game-key cards that have seen any kind of savings where the Switch 2 is concerned, but that's bound to change when we approach its first anniversary this summer. It may seem clichéd, but there really is something for everyone right now, and now, you don't even need to break the bank to pick up any games you missed during the older Switch generation.
The Legend of Zelda
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
MSRP: $69.99 / £66.99
If you want even more Hyrule Warriors action, Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment launched on the Nintendo Switch 2 on November 6, 2026. Unlike the previous games in the series, this Hyrule Warriors entry is exclusive to the Switch 2, and it has the pricey $69.99 / £66.99 MSRP to match.
As one of the newest entries on this list, it hasn't yet seen any considerable discounts at US retailers. However, it has dropped as low as £49.99 in the UK at retailers like Amazon, which started during last year's Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
MSRP: $59.99 / £59.99
The Legend of Zelda series has been around for almost 40 years but it wasn't until The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom that we finally got to see the Princess take over the role as the playable protagonist. Instead of depending solely on combat, the Princess is equipped with her new friend Tri and the Tri Rod, and can create copies or 'echoes' of objects and monsters to solve puzzles and save the residents of Hyrule in Link's absence.
Echoes of Wisdom got its debut discount shortly after launch, getting 8% knocked off its MSRP in October 2024. During Black Friday 2025, Nintendo dropped the price of the game to $29.99, its lowest ever price to date. It returned to full price shortly afterwards, but it's likely that it could return to the $30 price mark during future sales.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity
MSRP: $59.99 / £59.99
Hyrule Warriors Age of Calamity was Nintendo and Koei Tecmo's Omega Force second outing at a Legend of Zelda hack and slash, and a prequel to Breath of the Wild's events, with some uncanonical twists and turns.
Age of Calamity launched for $59.99 / £59.99 in 2020, and in those 5 years, since has gone on to see its fair share of deals and discounts. In the US, it's rarely dropped to more than $10 off its MSRP however, the UK has had a better history of deals with it dropping as low as £30.60 a year after launch.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
MSRP: $69.99 / £59.99
Acting as a direct sequel to Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom launched globally in May 2023, and once again, the Zelda series took the world by storm. In the three years since launch, I've seen some offers that reduce the price past its $69.99/£59.99 MSRP, but those kinds of savings can be a bit of a rarity.
There's also a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of the game, which launched on June 5 alongside the new handheld with an $79.99 MSRP. This version includes the original Switch game and access to the Switch 2 upgrade pack, which enhances the game with smoother visuals and compatibility with the Zelda Notes section of the Nintendo Switch Online app. As a first-party Switch 2 game, there haven't been any major discounts on this version so far. However, the same upgrade pack is available to NSO + Expansion Pack members, and it can be purchased separately to get access to the upgraded version of the game for less.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
MSRP: $59.99 / £49.99
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD has been incredibly successful since its release in the summer of 2021. Another in a string of Wii U and Wii ports to the Switch console, the HD remaster of the classic title combines traditional gamepad controls with motion gameplay while also offering up excellent new visuals.
While an incredibly popular release, there have still been rare Nintendo Switch game deals on this particular title. Day-to-day sales won't save you much cash, so if you do spot a price below MSRP, you're still getting an excellent price. To date, we've seen as much as $10 off that cost in the US in previous flash sales.
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
MSRP: $59.99 / £49.99
If you missed The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening the first time around when it landed in the early 1990s, don't make the same mistake now - grab it and experience a slice of gaming history.
Since release in 2019, Link's Awakening has seen its fair share of discounts. We've seen it take larger discounts than other Nintendo Switch games in the US, down as low as $35 in the last year or so. However, the UK is still stuck at the standard sales price of £39.99 that we've come to expect.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
MSRP: $59.99 / £59.99
This franchise has always been known for its sense of adventure, but The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild takes that to the next level with an enormous open world, crafting mechanics, and a whole lot more than we have room to discuss here. What's more, a unique technological spin on the series helps this entry feel entirely unique.
This gem simply didn't see any deals in its first few years of life, but has since started trickling down in price. This is a particularly new development, though, with offers only really becoming available from the middle of 2021. Since then, though, we've seen record low prices in the $40 region, and sometimes even dropping down to $35.99. The UK has also seen similar savings, with the higher £59.99 RRP giving way to a £49.99 sales price in recent months.
Super Mario
Super Mario Bros Wonder Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park
MSRP: $79.99 / £64.99 (Switch 2 Edition)
Super Mario Bros Wonder launched in October of 2023, but it received a new Switch 2 Edition, which includes new content on March, 26. This new version has yet budged from its $79.99 / $64.99 MSRP however, the previous version has dropped down in price at both US and UK retailers over the years.
You can grab the Switch game for as little as £36.99 in the UK as of early 2026, and $44.54 in the US. Better yet, you can save more cash by grabbing the older version while it's on sale, and paying for the Switch 2 upgrade pack via the eShop, rather than picking up the boxed Switch 2 Edition of the game.
Mario Kart World
MSRP: $79.99 / £74.99
Mario Kart World raced to release the same day as the new Switch 2 handheld, on June 5, 2025. As is the case with most new Ninty releases, it hasn't yet seen any major discounts and still sits at its full $79.99 / £74.99 MSRP for now. That being said, the game is bundled digitally with the new handheld, which saves you $30 off the price of the game.
Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope
MSRP: $59.99 / £49.99
Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope followed the original turn-based tactics crossover in 2022, dodging and diving onto the shelves at $59.99 / £49.99. If things continue the way they did for the first release, we'll see that price tag quickly shift downwards as Nintendo Switch game deals gather more steam. This is also one to watch out for in particularly cheap bundles as well.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
MSRP: $59.99 / £49.99
Super Mario 3D World never really got a fair shot on Wii U, which is why Nintendo has brought it back, patched it up with some smooth improvements, and packaged it with a new Bowser's Fury expansion as well. The result is an excellent Nintendo Switch game in its own right, but one that offers particularly strong value considering its propensity for discounts.
Because this is a Wii U port, we saw $10 / £10 discounts hitting the title remarkably quickly. While those savings haven't been improved upon since those early launch deals, there are still excellent prices out there considering this is such a hallmark release.
Paper Mario: The Origami King
MSRP: $59.99 / £49.99
Paper Mario: The Origami King is an older 2020 release, but it's still regularly found at its MSRP. Still, this is one of the first titles to be included in sale events so if you are hunting at a particularly deals-heavy moment you could well be in luck. We regularly see it for around $10 / £10 off day to day, but those discounts can climb during major holidays.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
MSRP: $59.99 / £49.99
If you have a Switch, you need Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. It takes everything that works about the series and hones it down into the best version yet, resulting in a fantastic racing game that you can enjoy alone or with friends and family.
This is a canon release, which means it took a little longer to start seeing some price drops. However, with four years on the market we're finally enjoying regular Nintendo Switch game deals on Mario Kart 8. We've seen as much as $25 off this game in the past, down to $35, but that was a particularly brief sale - you'll usually find it for $49.99 / £39.99. Be sure to grab an extra Nintendo Switch controller, though, because this is best enjoyed with friends.
Super Mario Odyssey
MSRP: $59.99 / £49.99
As one of the first games released for the system, Super Mario Odyssey has spent some considerable time on the shelves. It's only in the last year and a half that we've been seeing Nintendo Switch game deals on this particular title, though, dropping down to $35 / £36.
Mario & Luigi: Brothership
MSRP: $59.99 / £49.99
The latest installment of the Mario & Luigi RPG series, Mario & Luigi: Brothership brings back some of the original Alpha Dream development team, the turn-based combat and humor that made the previous games so special. In this new adventure, our favorite mustached brothers have set sail to a land called Concordia, set to bring its connected islands together again.
Brothership was released at the tail end of the Switch's lifespan, and despite Ninty's track record with discounts, it did see its first price drop shortly after its release in November 2024. Since then, it's likely you'll see some cash off the RPG during the biggest and most notable sales events of the year.
Pokemon
Pokemon Pokopia
MSRP: $69.99 / £59.99
Pokemon Pokopia launches on the Nintendo Switch 2 on March 5 as a game-key card and digital-only exclusive. Despite having no full game on cart release, it has an $69.99 / £59.99 MSRP and has not shifted from this price quite yet.
However, on the lead up to release day in the UK, the game dropped as low as £56.99, saving fans £3 off its full launch price. While a tiny saving, it's hopefully a sign to come that we could see it drop even lower once the first big sales events of the year roll around.
Pokemon Legends Z-A
MSRP: $69.99 / £58.99 (Switch 2)
$49.99 / £49.99 (Switch)
Pokemon Legends Z-A launched on October 16, 2025, for both the original Switch and the Switch 2 with two different price points. For the original family of handhelds, you could grab it for $49.99 / £49.99, and it was available for a slightly higher $69.99 / £58.99 price point on the Switch 2.
As one of the newest entries on this list, it hasn't seen any major discounts so far. That being said, UK Amazon dropped the Switch 2 version to as low as £44.99 over the 2025's Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. As one of the earliest entries in the Switch 2 lifespan, it's likely it could see major savings over the first big savings events of 2026.
Pokemon Scarlet / Violet
MSRP: $59.99 / £49.99
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are the latest iterations in the Pokemon series, first launching in November 2022. Since then, we've seen some generous discounts in the UK, reducing the games to below £40 at places like ShopTo.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus
MSRP: $59.99 / £49.99
Pokemon Legends Arceus does things a little differently, but it's no stranger to discounts. We've seen as much as $20 / £20 off this adventure title since it launched back in 2022.
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond / Shining Pearl
MSRP: $59.99 / £49.99
Nintendo has reimagined Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl for its current generation, bringing the Sinnoh region back to our handhelds in turbo-charging the Underground at the same time. Now that this game has been out in the wild for a little while, we're starting to see prices trickle down.
US retailers have been hovering between the $40-$45 mark recently, and you may be able to find a £30 sales price in the UK if you're lucky.
Nintendo Pokemon: Let's Go, Pikachu/Let's Go, Eevee
MSRP: $59.99 / £49.99
Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Pokemon Let's GO Eevee originally launched with the Pokeball Plus, a Pokeball-shaped Switch accessory that could be used in replacement of a typical Joy-Con controller. These days it's harder to come by the version with the Pokeball controller, but if you want to keep cost lower, you can still grab the standalone physical version of both the Pikachu and Eevee versions of the game.
Metroid
Metroid Prime 4 Beyond
MSRP: $69.99 / £64.99 (Switch 2)
$59.88 / £55.99 (Switch)
The highly anticipated Metroid Prime 4 Beyond launched on December 4, 2025 and has since seen its fair share of discounts and savings for both the Switch 2 and Switch release. In the few months since, it's dropped as low as $64.99 at retailers like US Amazon for the new handheld, and around £25 at UK retailers.
The original Switch version launched at a cheaper price, so naturally its discounts have brought it down even less. In the UK it can regularly be found for as low as £31.50, meanwhile it doesn't like to stray too far from its MSRP in the US.
Metroid Prime Remastered
MSRP: $39.99 / £34.99
A surprise shadow drop in February 2023 saw the much-loved Metroid Prime return to a Nintendo console for the first time since the GameCube back in 2002. Now rebuilt from the ground up, this action-adventure holds up admirably well and even has a reasonable asking price. Even more so, when most consider it more of a remake than a remaster.
We've seen it drop below the $30 mark already too. So whether you've visited Tallon IV in the past, or wish to explore its depths for the very first time, the Nintendo Switch is now the essential place to play one of the best games, arguably, ever.
Metroid Dread
MSRP: $59.99 / £49.99
Metroid Dread stormed onto the shelves in late 2021, alongside the new OLED console. Since picking up its fair share of awards and widespread acclaim, the $59.99 / £49.99 price tag on this classic platformer has since buckled. We did spot a few cents off the launch price in the months since launch, but things have dropped down as low as $40 / £30 since then.
Splatoon
Splatoon 3
MSRP: $59.99 / £49.99
Splatoon 3 launched in September 2022, and we quickly saw that $59.99 / £49.99 MSRP trickling down in its first few months on the shelves. While discounts are still difficult to come by, you're more likely to see numbers around $50 / £35 during sale events these days.
Kirby
Kirby Air Riders
MSRP: $69.99 / £66.99
Another Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, Kirby Air Riders launched on the new handheld on November 20, 2025. As one of the newest entries on this list, it hasn't budged at all from its $69.99 / £66.99 MSRP however, it was available for £5 less than its full price at multiple UK retailers on the lead up to release.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World
MSRP: $79.99 / £79.99 (Switch 2)
MSRP: $59.99 / £49.99 (Switch)
Kirby and the Forgotten Land hasn't seen many significant discounts in the US. UK players have enjoyed discounts of up to £10 on that original £49.99 RRP. That means any savings spotted in the price comparison chart below are going to be well worth your while, but any that drop further than £39.99 in the UK are going to be extremely rare.
The Switch 2 version, which includes the Star-Crossed World DLC, launched on August 28, 2025, with an MSRP of $79.99 / £79.99. So far, it has yet to see any discounts, and grabbing the older Switch version instead, along with the Switch 2 upgrade pack via the Nintendo eShop, can save you more cash in the long-run.
Kirby Star Allies
MSRP: $59.99 / £49.99
Kirby Star Allies dropped on the Nintendo Switch on March 16, 2018, and sticks to the old-school approach to Kirby games with some side-scrolling action. The 2.5D platformer released with an MSRP of $59.99 / £49.99, however, its age means you can regularly find it physically with up to $10 off, if you know where to look.
In the UK, you're more likely to spot this charming Kirby game for around £42.99. Meanwhile, in the US, the Switch game hovers around the $50 mark if there's a discount to be had.
Animal Crossing
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
MSRP: $59.99 / £49.99
New Horizons breaks ground by giving you an island to make over. After arriving on the shores of an uninhabited wilderness, you have the opportunity to pitch your tent and start an all-new settlement like a much friendlier survival documentary. Don't worry, though - all your favourite characters such as Tom Nook, KK Slider, and Isabelle are still along for the ride.
While slow to take off, we now regularly see cheap Nintendo Switch game deals on this particular title, with a $25 discount down to $35 in the US and a £39 price in the UK.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
MSRP: $59.99 / £59.99
It's easy to forget how revolutionary Smash Bros. was back in the day; it flips the idea of a fighting game on its head to great effect thanks to a diverse roster of fighters and a system where you have to build up damage rather than chipping away at a health bar. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a good reminder, and it's another classic that'll almost certainly stand the test of time.
Ultimate somehow makes this 20-year series feel fresh. It's exceptionally polished and more than capable of balancing 70+ characters, resulting in Smash at its best.
Even though this is another older release, we're still yet to see any major Nintendo Switch game sales hitting its price tag. The cheapest we've seen this game is $49.99 / £47.99.
Fire Emblem
Fire Emblem Engage
MSRP: $59.99 / £59.99
Fire Emblem Engage launched in 2023, yet only saw its biggest drops in price the following year. Typically, you can expect to see the last installment in the Fire Emblem series sit around its full price, as, like with other major Nintendo releases, discounts can be a rarity. However, we've still spotted a $10 / £10 discount here and there for the tactical RPG.
Fire Emblem Three Houses
MSRP: $62.99 / £49.99
Fire Emblem Three Houses marked the first major game in the series to launch on the Nintendo Switch handheld, and it's still arguably one of the best experiences to have on the Ninty handheld. Despite its age, the game is still typically seen at full price, similar to Engage. However, occasionally you can find small $10 / £10 price drops if you look hard enough.
Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong Bananza
MSRP: $69.99 / £64.99
Donkey Kong Bananza hasn't been out for long, and so there haven't been any discounts on its $69.99 / £64.99 MSRP so far. However, this could change the closer we get to the handheld's first ever anniversary later this year.
Where to find more cheap Nintendo Switch game sales
If you haven't spotted the game you're after in our round-up, it's worth checking the retailers below. These are stores that offer regular cheap Nintendo Switch game deals (and the occasional savings on Switch 2 titles), with some excellent prices up for grabs.
US:
- Amazon: regular discounts available but often hidden behind cart
- Best Buy: $17 or more off a massive range of titles
- Gamestop: regular discounts on pre-owned titles and merch
- Walmart: sometimes has record low prices on older titles
UK
- Amazon: great prices and speedy Prime delivery
- Argos: bundle deals and same day delivery sometimes available
- Currys: some of the lowest prices around and with regular promo codes
- Game: excellent pre-owned deals and free gifts
- Very: regularly price matches other retailers
Cheap Nintendo Switch game sales FAQ
How much are Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 games?
Nintendo Switch games typically launch at $59.99 / £49.99, and stay there for a while. Deals often drop these games to $51 in the US, but in the UK we regularly see games hitting £36.99 a few months after launch.
Meanwhile, Nintendo Switch 2 games typically launch for $69.99 / £64.99, and have yet to see any major discounts so far in the US or UK, as they're still so new.
Are Nintendo Switch games compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2?
Nintendo Switch games are backwards compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2, including both physical game carts and digitally downloaded games. However, Nintendo officially states on its website that due to the hardware differences between the two handhelds, "some Nintendo Switch games may not be supported on or fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2."
After the Nintendo Direct held on April 2, 2025, Nintendo added an official list of all compatible games on the new handheld, and any issues, which is regularly updated.
Will any original Switch games receive performance upgrades for the Switch 2?
Some original Switch games have received free upgrades to "enhance the gameplay experience" on the Switch 2. These upgrades include everything from HDR support, the ability to share locally and online via GameChat, and visual optimizations and frame rate improvements.
For example, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, which were infamous for their performance on the original Switch, will have "improved and smoother movement" on the Switch 2, along with more optimized resolutions to help improve performance.
The full list of Switch games receiving free upgrades includes: ARMS, Big Brain Academy Brain vs. Brain, Captain Toad Treasure Tracker, Clubhouse Games 51 Worldwide Classics, Game Builder Garage, New Super Mario Bros U Deluxe, Pokemon Scarlet, Pokemon Violet, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury, Super Mario Odyssey, and Legend of Zelda Echoes of Wisdom and Link's Awakening.
Can you get free Nintendo Switch games?
Nintendo Switch has plenty of free games like your classic free-to-play Fortnite, Rocket League, and Apex Legends. However, you can also play free Nintendo Switch games using a Nintendo Switch Online membership, which provides access to a whole roster of NES and SNES titles. You'll have to pay a little extra for the new selection of N64, GameCube, and Virtual Boy titles. Or, you can always try new Nintendo Switch games for free with the eShop's wide range of demo downloads.
Why are Nintendo Switch games expensive?
Nintendo Switch games typically aren't any more expensive than PS5 or Xbox Series X releases. However, they often feel pricier because Nintendo Switch game deals on new releases are rare. These games often have to spend months on the market before they see a saving, contrary to the $20 or $30 you can often save on a new PlayStation or Microsoft release.
If you're building up a game library for the new handheld, check out our upcoming Switch 2 games page to keep informed on new releases. Don't forget to check out our guide on the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories - it's frequently updated with the latest offers on essentials like the Nintendo Switch 2 micro SD Express cards, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases.
