The Nintendo Switch is one of the most popular consoles of all time, with over 144M units sold to date. With an extensive library of exclusive titles available, you can spend hundreds of hours exploring the library without ever getting bored. With so many games to play, a Nintendo Switch is a must-own console if you wish to play some of the most popular games each year. 2026 is shaping up to be another great year for the console with many more upcoming Switch games on the horizon, especially with the recent launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 bringing an entire new platform for games just last year.
Like all hardware, the Nintendo Switch tends to go on sale at specific points throughout the year and 2026 is no exception. If you are interested in picking up Nintendo's portable system, you can snag a Switch on sale if you buy at the right time. We've compiled together the best times to buy a Nintendo Switch below, complete with every sale where you might see a deal in 2025. That being said, don't expect any discounts on the Switch 2 this year outside of bundles.
Best Times to Buy a Nintendo Switch
Black Friday and Cyber Monday
Like most video game consoles, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the best times of the year to buy a Nintendo Switch. Last year we had two Switch 2 bundles available and one of them even got a discount. This came after Nintendo seemingly cancelled its usual Switch Mario Kart 8 Deluxe bundle we've seen pretty much every year.
We've also seen Black Friday deals on Nintendo Switch Lite, where a free game and discount are bundled together. It's unlikely we'll see either of those deals again this year, but if we do, it will be during Nintendo's Black Friday sale.
2025 had some least exciting Switch deals we've seen, so 2026 will hopefully have even bigger disscounts thanks to the Switch 2 now being a thing.
Holiday Weekends
Another great time to pick up a Nintendo Switch is one of the major holiday weekends in the United States. This includes Memorial Day Weekend, Independence Day, President's Day, and Labor Day. More often than not, retailers like Walmart and Best Buy will host exclusive three day sales, which sometimes can include deals on Nintendo Switch hardware. These discounts usually are locked behind memberships like Walmart + and My Best Buy Plus/Total, so do keep this in mind if you are aiming for the best deals.
Amazon Prime Day
Prime Day is always one of the most popular sales events of the year, and naturally, you can usually find a good Nintendo Switch deal on Amazon here. In addition to hardware, dozens of games and Switch accessories are always on sale. This usually makes Prime Day one of the best times to buy a Nintendo Switch, as you can save money on both the console and accessories alongside it. Amazon has already wrapped up Prime Day in 2025, but you can expect it again in mid-July 2026. In the meantime, they are still one of the best retailers to buy Switch games from.
Prime Big Deal Days
Amazon will have its fourth consecutive year of its version of an October Prime Day in 2026, which always takes place in October. It's unlikely that we'll see any big discounts on Nintendo Switch 2 hardware at Amazon during this time, but other retailers like Best Buy and Walmart will most likely drop some sort of discount to stay competitive.
Clearance Sales
Recently, retailers like Woot have listed Nintendo Switch models for prices we've rarely seen before, sometimes up to $75 off. These deals happen spontaneously, mostly when the retailer is clearing inventory out. To catch these deals as they happen, we recommend following the IGN Deals account to get notified immediately.
It's also worth mentioning that these same retailers offer open-box and refurbished units at an even lower price, so if you are okay with open-box purchases, consider this as an option. These consoles are certified, which means the retailer has tested and verified the condition of the console. Often, the "Excellent" refurbished consoles are simply open box, with not a scratch on the system itself.
Noah Hunter is a freelance writer and reviewer with a passion for games and technology. He co-founded Final Weapon, an outlet focused on nonsense-free Japanese gaming (in 2019) and has contributed to various publishers writing about the medium. His favorite series include Xeno and Final Fantasy.
