The Nintendo Switch has been a staple in my household since I bought it in 2017. Dare I say I’ve enjoyed it more than my PlayStation 5 and any other consoles or handhelds that I’ve owned in the past?
Game consoles make great gifts, but they aren’t exactly budget-friendly. Both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X typically retail for around $500 or more. The Switch retails for a bit cheaper, at around $300 or more, but it’s still pretty pricey.
The good news is that you’ll likely find several Nintendo Switch deals for Black Friday from local big-box retailers. Right now, you can find Nintendo Switch OLED and Mario Kart 8 bundles at $350 from Best Buy and Walmart. The Switch is home to some great flagship games that you don’t want to miss out on, especially if you’re a Mario and Legend of Zelda fan.
It’s basically a two-in-one console
My favorite thing about the Switch is its portability; you can play on the TV or on the go. I know it’s the first thing you see in the marketing materials, but that really is what makes the Switch stand out from other consoles. Being able to play home console games on the plane or on long road trips is a game changer for me. You don’t even have to take it out of the house if you don’t want to. Sometimes I’d rather cozy up in bed with my Switch versus playing it on the living room TV.
You can also play multiplayer games on the go as well. The Switch has a little kickstand on the back for you to prop it up on a solid surface. Just grab some chairs, make sure you have enough controllers and you’re all set.
Fun for pretty much everyone
Nintendo has a long history of making family-friendly consoles, and the Switch is no different. There are plenty of what I like to call “pick up and play” games on the Switch, and most of them are party games made with all age groups in mind. These are games that your grandma or little brother could jump in and play.
I personally love playing Mario Kart and Mario Party games with my family. There are plenty of other family-friendly multiplayer games on Switch to enjoy, like Super Smash Bros., Nintendo Switch Sports (which is basically a new version of the Classic Wii Sports game) and Just Dance. The Switch also has a plethora of great cozy games to enjoy as well. Some of my favorites are Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley, Wylde Flowers and Disney Dreamlight Valley. And yes, all of them include some form of farming mechanic.
Plenty of ports
If you’re worried about missing out on popular third-party titles released on PlayStation and Xbox consoles, I wouldn’t worry too much. Many of the games released on PlayStation and Xbox consoles also get released on Switch. If a new game isn’t released on Switch immediately at launch, there’s a good chance it’ll make its way to the Switch in a couple of years, especially if the game sells really well. Being able to play Witcher 3, Persona 5 Royal and Hogwarts Legacy on the go is well worth the wait.
Yes, you’ll likely miss out on Playstation and Xbox exclusives, but the Switch has its own great lineup of exclusives. I’ve personally had the most fun with The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Super Mario Odyssey and Xenoblade Chronicles 3.
Will the Nintendo Switch be on sale for Black Friday and Cyber Monday?
You can find Nintendo Switch and Mario Kart 8 bundle deals from Best Buy and Walmart, but there are also plenty of early Black Friday deals on Switch games, controllers and accessories. The best places to check for Switch deals are Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy and GameStop. Starting Nov. 24, several of these big box retailers will be offering up to $20 off select Nintendo Switch games, and Nintendo will be offering its own Black Friday deals for digital copies of select games on the Nintendo eshop.
