The Nintendo Switch usually comes with no game included

When you buy a Nintendo Switch console, the box contains the console itself, two Joy-Con controllers, a dock, an AC adapter, and an HDMI cable. It does not include a game. You need to purchase games separately, either as physical cartridges or digital downloads.

The only exception is the Nintendo Switch Lite, which sometimes appears in bundles that include a game, but the console alone does not come with one. If you see a Switch package advertised with a game included, it is a bundle — a retailer has packaged the console and game together at a higher price than buying them separately.

Key Takeaways

  • The standard Nintendo Switch box contains only the console, controllers, dock, and cables — no game is included.
  • You must purchase games separately as physical cartridges or download them digitally to the console.
  • Some retailers sell bundles that pair a Switch with a popular game like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, but these cost more than buying items separately.
  • Nintendo Switch Online is a subscription service that gives you access to a library of classic games, but it is different from owning individual modern games.

Where to buy games for your Switch

Physical games come as cartridges you insert into the console. You can buy them at retailers like Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and GameStop, or online through Amazon. Physical cartridges cost between $40 and $60 for new releases, though older titles often drop in price.

Digital games download directly to your Switch's storage or an SD card. You purchase them through the Nintendo eShop, which you access on the console itself. Digital games are the same price as physical copies at launch, but Nintendo occasionally runs sales on older titles. One advantage of digital games is that you do not need to swap cartridges — all your games stay on the console.

What Nintendo Switch Online gives you

Nintendo Switch Online is a monthly subscription service that provides access to a library of classic games from the NES and SNES eras, plus online multiplayer for games that support it. The basic plan costs about $20 per year or $4 per month. This is not the same as owning modern games — you can only play the classic titles while your subscription is active.

The Expansion Pack tier costs more and adds Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games, plus DLC for certain titles. If you want to play current games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or Animal Crossing: New Horizons, you still need to purchase those separately, even with a Switch Online subscription.

Popular games to consider buying first

The most common first purchases for Switch owners are Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, a racing game that works well for solo play or with friends; The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, an open-world adventure; and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, a fighting game with a large roster of characters. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is popular if you prefer relaxing, creative gameplay.

If you are unsure what type of game you want, many retailers let you watch gameplay videos online before buying. The Nintendo eShop also has free-to-play games like Fortnite and Pokémon Unite that you can download and try without spending money.

How much storage you will need

The Switch comes with 32 GB of internal storage, but the operating system uses about 5 GB of that space. If you buy digital games, you will fill this quickly — large games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom take up 15 GB or more. Most Switch owners buy a microSD card (128 GB or larger) to expand storage for around $15 to $25.

Physical cartridges do not use internal storage, so if you prefer buying cartridges, you may not need an SD card right away. However, many games now include digital content or require patches that download to the console, so even physical game owners often add storage eventually.

Bundles that include games

Retailers sometimes sell Switch bundles that pair the console with one or two games. Common bundles include the Switch with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, or the Switch Lite with a game. These bundles cost more than buying the console and game separately — typically $50 to $100 extra — so they are only worth buying if you were planning to purchase that specific game anyway.

Check the price of the console and game individually before committing to a bundle. Sometimes a retailer is running a sale on one item that makes buying separately cheaper than the bundle price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play games on a Switch without buying anything?

Yes, if you have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, you can play the included library of classic NES and SNES games. You can also download free-to-play games like Fortnite or Pokémon Unite. However, most modern Switch games require a separate purchase.

What is the difference between a physical game and a digital game?

Physical games come as cartridges you insert into the console; you own the cartridge and can resell it or trade it. Digital games download to your console and are tied to your Nintendo account; you cannot resell them, but you do not need to swap cartridges. Both cost the same at launch.

Do I need Nintendo Switch Online to play games?

No. You can play single-player games and local multiplayer without a subscription. You only need Switch Online if you want to play online multiplayer or access the classic game library.

Can I return a game if I do not like it?

Return policies depend on the retailer. Most stores accept returns of unopened physical games within 30 days. Digital games purchased through the Nintendo eShop cannot be returned, so download the free-to-play games first if you are unsure about a purchase.

What happens if my Switch storage is full?

You cannot download new games until you delete old ones or add an SD card. Deleting a digital game removes it from your console, but you can download it again later using your account. Deleting a physical game's data does not affect the cartridge itself.