Nintendo Switch game prices range from free to $60, depending on the game and where you buy it

Most new Nintendo Switch games cost between $40 and $60. Older games, smaller indie titles, and games on sale often cost less — sometimes $10 to $30. Some games are free to download, though many of those include optional purchases inside the game. The price you pay depends on whether you buy physical cartridges or download digital versions, and whether you shop at full price or wait for discounts.

Nintendo sets the recommended retail price for each game, but stores and the Nintendo eShop (the digital store built into every Switch) sometimes offer sales. Physical games at retailers like Target, Walmart, and GameStop may drop in price weeks or months after release. Digital games on the eShop go on sale less often, but Nintendo runs regular sales events where hundreds of games are discounted.

Key Takeaways

  • New first-party Nintendo games (made by Nintendo itself) almost always cost $60 and rarely go on sale.
  • Third-party games from other publishers range from $5 to $50, and sales happen more frequently than Nintendo's own titles.
  • Free-to-play games like Fortnite and Pokémon Unite cost nothing to download, but let you spend money on cosmetics and battle passes inside the game.
  • Physical cartridges and digital downloads cost the same at launch, but physical copies can be resold or traded in, while digital copies cannot.
  • The Nintendo eShop shows the price in your local currency and lets you see sale history for any game before you buy.

How Nintendo's own games are priced

Games made by Nintendo — like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe — cost $60 at launch and stay at that price for years. Nintendo rarely discounts its own games, even when they are several years old. If you want to save money on a Nintendo game, your best option is to buy a used physical cartridge from a reseller, or to wait for a bundle deal during the holiday season.

The exception is older games that Nintendo has re-released. For example, Super Mario 3D World originally cost $60 on the Wii U, but Nintendo released it again on Switch for $60 with extra content. Games bundled with hardware — like the Switch that comes with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe included — are sometimes cheaper per item than buying them separately, but the bundle price is still high.

What third-party games typically cost

Games from other publishers vary widely in price. Major releases from companies like Activision, Take-Two, and Ubisoft often cost $40 to $60, matching Nintendo's prices. Smaller studios and indie developers charge $5 to $30 for their games. A game like Hollow Knight costs $15, while Stardew Valley costs $15, and a smaller puzzle game might cost $5.

Third-party games go on sale more often than Nintendo's titles. The Nintendo eShop runs sales events almost every week, and physical copies at retailers drop in price faster. If you are willing to wait a few months after a game launches, you can often find third-party titles at 20 to 50 percent off.

Free-to-play games and in-game spending

Several popular games on Switch are free to download: Fortnite, Pokémon Unite, Apex Legends, and Warframe are all available at no cost. You do not need to pay anything to download them or play the main game. However, all of them let you spend money inside the game on cosmetics (skins, emotes, weapon designs), battle passes (seasonal content bundles), or convenience items.

A battle pass typically costs $10 and gives you access to seasonal challenges and rewards over a few months. Cosmetics range from $5 to $20 each. You can play the entire game without spending anything beyond the free download, but the games are designed to encourage spending. If you want to avoid in-game purchases, you can turn off the ability to spend money in your Switch account settings.

Physical versus digital: price and resale

A physical cartridge and a digital download of the same game cost the same amount when the game first launches. The difference is what happens after. A physical cartridge can be resold to another person, traded in at a game store, or given away. A digital game is tied to your Nintendo account and cannot be transferred or resold — if you buy it, only you can play it on your Switch.

Over time, physical games often become cheaper because used copies are available. Digital games stay at the publisher's chosen price unless the eShop puts them on sale. If you think you might want to resell a game later, or if you want the option to share it with someone else, a physical copy is the better choice. If you want the convenience of having games always available without swapping cartridges, digital is more convenient but less flexible.

Where to check prices before you buy

The Nintendo eShop on your Switch shows the current price and any active sale. You can also visit Nintendo's website and search for a game to see its price and sale history. For physical copies, check Target, Walmart, GameStop, and Amazon — prices vary between stores and change frequently. Some retailers offer trade-in credit if you bring in old games, which can lower the effective price of a new purchase.

Before buying a digital game, check the eShop's sale section to see if it is currently discounted. The eShop also shows you the lowest price a game has been in the past, which helps you decide whether the current sale is actually a good deal. For physical games, use a price comparison tool or check multiple retailers to find the lowest price in your area.

Sales, discounts, and when to buy

Nintendo runs eShop sales events regularly, often tied to holidays or game releases. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the end-of-year holiday season usually have large sales. Third-party publishers run their own sales throughout the year. If you are flexible about when you buy, waiting for a sale can save you 20 to 50 percent on many games.

Nintendo's own games rarely go on sale, so if you want a new Nintendo title, expect to pay full price. Physical copies of Nintendo games sometimes drop in price at retailers a few months after release, but this is not may provide. For third-party games, patience usually pays off — most games will be discounted within a few months of launch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Nintendo Switch Online to buy games?

No. You can download and play games without a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. The subscription is only required for online multiplayer in most games, cloud saves, and access to classic NES and SNES games. You can buy and download any game on the eShop without it.

Can I refund a digital game if I don't like it?

Nintendo allows refunds only in limited cases — usually if you have not downloaded or played the game, or if you bought it by mistake. If you have played the game, a refund is unlikely. Always read reviews and watch gameplay videos before buying digital games, since you may not be able to return them.

Why do some games cost more on Switch than on other platforms?

Publishers sometimes charge more on Switch because the hardware is less powerful and games may require extra work to run properly. Licensing costs, regional pricing, and the size of the Switch market also affect the price. A game might cost $30 on PC but $40 on Switch.

Are there any games that are exclusive to the eShop?

Yes. Many indie games are only available as digital downloads on the eShop, not as physical cartridges. Larger publishers sometimes release physical copies only in certain regions. If a game you want is only digital, you will need to download it from the eShop.

What happens if I delete a digital game from my Switch?

You can download it again at any time without paying again, as long as you are signed into the Nintendo account that bought it. Deleting a game just removes it from your storage to make room for other games. You own the right to download it, not the file itself.