Nintendo’s newest wave of price increases makes some of the original Switch lineup a lot less affordable, and Wal-Mart’s current deal on the Nintendo Switch OLED might be the last chance for a cheaper price. Earlier this year, Nintendo raised the prices of some Switch 2 products ahead of launch, citing changing market conditions and tariffs. More recently, Nintendo announced increases for original Switch systems and some additional accessories, going into effect on August 3.
Wal-Mart currently has the white OLED model Switch on sale for $299.00, as reported by IGN. This is a $50 discount from its original price of $349, but the price increase raised the MSRP to $399, making Wal-Mart’s sale $100 cheaper than the going rate at most competitors. The OLED model features the same basic capabilities as the original Nintendo Switch but boasts a better screen and more internal storage.
A Nintendo Switch OLED Is Well Worth This Discounted Price
Solid Bang For Your Buck
Despite the allure of the Nintendo Switch 2, there are a lot of reasons to consider picking up a Switch OLED model instead. While the price increase to $399 brings it within striking distance of the $449 Switch 2, Wal-Mart’s discount makes the system considerably more affordable. It may not have the same raw power, but with the Switch 2 library still in its infancy, you’ll be able to play most of the same games on either system.
The biggest draw is, of course, the OLED screen, an improvement that the Switch 2 didn’t replicate. It’s still 720p, but many original Switch games will look better at that screen resolution anyway. Games without specific upgrades will still run in 720p in the Switch 2’s handheld mode despite the screen resolution not matching.
Nintendo Fans Aren’t Happy With Recent Price Increases
Playing Mario Games Is Getting A Lot More Expensive
The Switch OLED’s price jumping to $399 is the latest in a series of blows for Nintendo fans, and the inevitability of cost increases after inflation and tariffs don’t make the changes any easier to stomach. For most console generations, systems got cheaper as the years went on, a trend that’s only recently started to reverse.
There’s a big difference in affordability as things start creeping to $400 and $500 price points, and Nintendo’s edge of being less expensive than the competitors is starting to disappear. Thanks to the cost of Switch 2 cartridges, the company is also leading the charge on $80 games, meaning Xbox and PlayStation exclusives are both cheaper for now than some of Nintendo’s offerings.
Despite the negative feedback, it doesn’t look like Nintendo will be reversing course any time soon. If you’ve had your eye on a Nintendo Switch OLED for a while, this is almost certainly the best opportunity to buy one that you’ll have for quite a while.
- Brand
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Nintendo
- Original Release Date
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March 3, 2017
- Original MSRP (USD)
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$299.99
- Weight
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.71 lbs
