The Nintendo eShop is the central digital marketplace for the Nintendo Switch console. While many high-profile games from Nintendo maintain their retail price for several years, the eShop frequently hosts sales that offer significant discounts. Understanding how these sales work and when they occur can help you build your digital library without overspending.
Finding the best deals requires a combination of knowing where to look on your console and using external tools to track price history. This guide provides a straightforward approach to navigating Nintendo eShop sales, using the wishlist feature, and maximizing your rewards points for even deeper discounts.
Understanding the Nintendo eShop Sale Schedule
Nintendo generally follows a predictable pattern for its major digital sales. While smaller third-party publishers may discount their games at any time, the largest site-wide events usually happen during specific periods of the year.
The first major event is often the New Year Sale in January, which features a variety of titles to start the year. In March, Nintendo celebrates MAR10 Day (March 10th), which typically sees discounts on Mario-themed titles and related franchises.
During the summer months, usually in June, a Summer Sale coincides with major industry events. This is often followed by a “Blockbuster Sale” in late summer or early autumn. The year concludes with the Black Friday Sale in November and the Holiday Sale in late December, which are often the largest sales of the year.
- January: New Year Sale
- March: MAR10 Day (Mario-specific titles)
- June: Summer/E3 Sale
- September: Blockbuster Sale
- November: Black Friday and Cyber Monday
- December: Game Awards and Holiday Sales
How to Find Current Deals on Your Nintendo Switch
The easiest way to see what is currently on sale is directly through your Nintendo Switch console. The eShop has a dedicated section for discounted games that is updated daily.
To access these deals, select the orange eShop icon from your Switch home screen. Choose the user profile you wish to use, then look at the sidebar on the left side of the screen. Select the “Great Deals” tab to see a list of every game currently at a reduced price.
You can use the “Search/Browse” function to filter these results further. This allows you to sort by price range, genre, or even by games that have downloadable content (DLC) on sale. Sorting by “Price: Low to High” is a common way to find inexpensive indie titles or games currently under five dollars.
Using the Wishlist Feature for Notifications
The Nintendo eShop Wishlist is a powerful tool for tracking games you want but are not ready to buy at full price. When a game on your wishlist goes on sale, you may receive an email notification from Nintendo, depending on your account settings.
To add a game to your wishlist, open the game’s page in the eShop and select the heart icon next to the “Proceed to Purchase” button. You can view your entire wishlist at any time by selecting your user icon in the top right corner of the eShop and scrolling down to the “Wishlist” section.
Checking your wishlist regularly is more efficient than scrolling through the entire “Great Deals” section. It allows you to see at a glance if the specific titles you are interested in have received a price cut.
Maximizing Savings with My Nintendo Gold Points
Every digital purchase you make on the eShop earns you My Nintendo Gold Points. These points act as a form of digital currency that you can apply to future purchases to lower the price further.
For digital purchases, you typically earn 5% of the total paid amount in Gold Points. For example, if you spend $60 on a game, you will receive 300 Gold Points, which is equivalent to $3.00. You can also earn points for physical game cartridges by pressing the “+” button on the game icon and selecting “My Nintendo Rewards Program.”
During a sale, you can combine your Gold Points with the discounted price. At the checkout screen, select the option to “Redeem Points” and enter the amount you wish to use. This can often result in getting a game for free if you have accumulated enough points from previous purchases.
Third-Party Price Tracking Tools
Because the eShop interface can sometimes be difficult to navigate, many users rely on third-party websites to track sales. These sites provide price history charts, showing you the lowest price a game has ever reached.
One of the most popular tools is Deku Deals. This website tracks prices for digital and physical Switch games across multiple retailers. It allows you to see if a current eShop sale is actually a “record low” or if the game has been cheaper in the past.
Using these tools helps you avoid “false sales” where a game is discounted but still more expensive than its usual sale price. You can also sign up for alerts on these platforms to receive an email the moment a game hits your target price.
Nintendo Switch Online Game Vouchers
For users who are active subscribers to Nintendo Switch Online, there is an additional way to save on major releases. Nintendo offers a “Game Voucher” program where you can buy two vouchers for $99.98.
Each voucher can be redeemed for one eligible full-priced game, including many of Nintendo’s first-party titles like The Legend of Zelda or Super Mario Odyssey. Since these games are usually $59.99 or $69.99 each, using vouchers can save you up to $40 on two major purchases.
Vouchers are valid for one year from the date of purchase. This is often the most consistent way to get a discount on brand-new Nintendo releases that rarely go on sale in the eShop’s standard “Great Deals” section.
Regional Sale Differences
It is important to note that Nintendo eShop sales are often regional. A sale happening in the North American eShop may not be happening in the European or Japanese eShop at the same time.
While the Nintendo Switch is region-free, meaning you can play games from any country, your eShop account is tied to the region you selected during setup. Most users find it simplest to stick to their local region, but being aware of regional differences explains why you might see a sale mentioned online that does not appear on your console.
Final Tips for Smart Shopping
Before purchasing a game on sale, always check the remaining storage space on your console or microSD card. Digital sales are convenient, but large games can fill up your storage quickly. You can manage your data in the “Data Management” section of the System Settings.
Additionally, consider the value of physical vs. digital. Sometimes a physical copy of a game at a local retailer may be cheaper than the eShop sale price, especially for older titles. Checking a few sources before clicking “buy” ensures you are getting the best possible deal.
By using the wishlist feature, tracking price history, and redeeming your Gold Points, you can significantly reduce the cost of your gaming hobby. For more helpful guides on managing your digital life and technology, explore our other articles on SearchAndHelp.com.