Buying a great Nintendo Switch game at the right price can save you $10-30 per game — and over a year of gaming, that adds up to hundreds of dollars. But with so many options — the Nintendo eShop, Amazon, Walmart, GameStop, Best Buy, and more — where should you actually buy your Switch games? This guide breaks down every major retailer, compares their strengths and weaknesses, and reveals the strategies savvy shoppers use to get the best deals.
The Major Buying Options Compared
| Retailer | Best For | Average Savings | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo eShop | Indie/third-party digital sales | 30-80% off during sales | No resale, limited refunds |
| Amazon | Physical games, release-day delivery | 10-30% off (often at/below MSRP) | Counterfeit risk from third-party sellers |
| Walmart | Everyday low prices on physical | $49.94 instead of $59.99 on many titles | Limited selection compared to Amazon |
| Best Buy | My Best Buy Plus members | Member pricing + frequent sales | Membership costs $49.99/year |
| GameStop | Used games, trade-ins | $10-30 off via used copies | Condition varies, pushy upselling |
| Target | Buy 2 Get 1 Free events | 33% savings during events | Events only a few times per year |
| eBay | Rare, discontinued, or used games | Variable (great deals possible) | Counterfeit risk, no returns on some listings |
Digital vs. Physical: A Price Comparison
Here is a truth that surprises many gamers: digital games on the eShop are almost never cheaper than physical copies at launch. Both are typically $59.99 for AAA titles. However, the pricing dynamics diverge significantly over time. Physical games can be found used for $30-40 within months of release, while digital games stay at $59.99 until Nintendo runs a sale. On the flip side, indie and third-party digital games receive much deeper discounts on the eShop (60-90% off) compared to their physical counterparts, which are often limited-run and can become expensive collector's items.
Our golden rule: for Nintendo first-party games, buy physical. For everything else, buy digital on sale.
The Best Price Tracking Tools
Never pay full price without checking these tools first:
Deku Deals — The best all-in-one tracker. Monitors eShop digital prices, Amazon physical prices, and other retailers. Shows complete price history charts, wish list with email alerts, and even tracks DLC and eShop gift card deals. This is our #1 recommendation and the tool we use daily.
NT Deals — Focused exclusively on eShop digital prices. Clean interface, iOS app, email notifications when wishlisted games go on sale. Excellent for digital-first buyers.
GG.deals — Cross-platform price comparison. Useful if you also game on PC or PlayStation and want to see which platform offers the best deal on a multi-platform title.
CamelCamelCamel — Amazon-specific price tracker. Set alerts for physical game prices on Amazon. Particularly useful around Black Friday and Prime Day when Nintendo physical games see their deepest discounts.
Seasonal Buying Calendar
The gaming retail year follows a predictable cycle. Here is when to buy for maximum savings:
January: eShop New Year Sale + post-holiday retail clearance. Great time to pick up games from the previous year at reduced prices.
March: MAR10 Day (March 10) — Nintendo sometimes runs Mario-themed sales. Also, spring eShop sales begin around this time.
June-July: E3/Nintendo Direct season + Amazon Prime Day. Digital sales on the eShop, plus physical deals on Amazon during Prime Day (often the lowest physical prices of the year outside Black Friday).
October-November: Black Friday is the single best time to buy Nintendo games. Both physical and digital games see their deepest discounts. Target's "Buy 2 Get 1 Free" deal on video games is legendary and typically runs during this period.
December: Holiday eShop Sale + last-minute retail deals. Good but typically not as deep as Black Friday.
Money-Saving Strategies
Stack discounts. Buy discounted eShop gift cards (10-15% off during Amazon sales), then use those to purchase games during an eShop sale. This "double discount" strategy can save you 50-70% on digital games.
Use Gold Points. Every eShop purchase earns 5% back in Gold Points. Every physical game registered earns 1%. Apply points at checkout for an additional discount.
Wait 6-12 months. Most games drop 30-50% in price within a year of release. The "patient gamer" approach saves the most money while still letting you enjoy excellent games with all patches and DLC released.
Consider used. GameStop, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and r/GameSale on Reddit are excellent sources for used physical Switch games at 40-60% off retail. Nintendo cartridges are durable and rarely have issues.
Watch for bundles. Retailers frequently offer console + game bundles, especially during holidays. These bundles often include a game at a lower effective price than buying separately. Deku Deals tracks bundle offers across all retailers.
Related Guides
Nintendo eShop Complete Guide | How to Download Games | 25 Best Switch Games | Best Free Games (no spending needed)
* Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links.
Retailer Deep Dive
Nintendo eShop — Best for Digital Sales
The eShop is where you will find the deepest discounts on indie and third-party digital games — routinely 50-90% off during seasonal sales. First-party Nintendo games rarely drop below 30% off, even during major sales. The convenience of instant downloads and no cartridge swapping makes the eShop the preferred choice for many players. See our complete eShop guide for tips on maximizing your savings.
Amazon — Best for Physical Games
Amazon consistently offers the best everyday prices on physical Switch games. Many titles are listed at $49.99 instead of the $59.99 MSRP, and Prime members get release-day delivery on pre-orders. During Prime Day (July) and Black Friday, prices drop even further — we have seen first-party Nintendo games at $35-40 during these events. One caveat: always buy from "Ships from and sold by Amazon.com" to avoid counterfeit game cartridges from third-party marketplace sellers.
Walmart — Best for Everyday Low Prices
Walmart has a long-standing policy of pricing popular video games at $49.94 instead of $59.99. This $10 savings requires no membership, no coupons, and applies to many major Switch releases. In-store pickup is free and often available same-day. During Black Friday, Walmart offers some of the deepest physical game discounts of any retailer.
Best Buy — Best for Members
Best Buy's My Best Buy Plus membership ($49.99/year) includes member-exclusive pricing on games (typically $10 off new releases), free shipping on all orders, and extended return windows. If you buy 5+ games per year at full price, the membership pays for itself. Best Buy also runs frequent "Buy More, Save More" promotions where buying multiple games unlocks additional discounts.
GameStop — Best for Used Games & Trade-Ins
GameStop's used game selection is the easiest way to get recent releases at a discount. Pre-owned Switch games typically cost $10-20 less than new, and GameStop offers a 7-day return policy on used games (no questions asked). Their trade-in program lets you swap games you have finished for credit toward new purchases. Pro members ($14.99/year) earn extra points on every purchase.
Target — Best for Periodic Mega-Deals
Target runs a legendary "Buy 2, Get 1 Free" promotion on video games several times a year (typically during Back-to-School season and pre-Black Friday). When this deal is active, buying three $59.99 games costs $119.98 instead of $179.97 — effectively getting each game for $39.99. Target also offers 5% off every purchase for Target Circle (Red Card) holders, which stacks with other promotions.
The Ultimate Savings Strategy
Combine multiple approaches for maximum savings. Step 1: Buy discounted eShop gift cards during Amazon sales (10-15% off). Step 2: Use those gift cards during eShop seasonal sales (30-80% off). Step 3: For Nintendo first-party games, buy physical during Target Buy 2 Get 1 Free events or Black Friday. Step 4: Trade finished games at GameStop for credit toward new purchases. Following this strategy, we estimate annual gaming costs can be reduced by 50-65% compared to buying everything at full price on launch day.
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