As spring blooms across the gaming landscape, Nintendo has joined the seasonal rush of discounts, albeit in its own characteristic way. While PlayStation and Xbox roll out official digital storefront sales, Nintendo’s offer arrives not on the eShop but through Amazon, where a handpicked collection of the Switch’s biggest titles has been quietly reduced to some of their lowest prices ever. For a console that has stubbornly clung to full retail pricing for nearly a decade, this wave of markdowns signals more than just a spring cleaning—it reflects a broader shift as the industry edges closer to the next generation of Nintendo hardware.
The most striking cuts are reserved for the twin pillars that defined the Switch’s launch era. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey, two games that reimagined their respective franchises and helped propel the console past 140 million units sold, have both been knocked down from $60 to $40. In a market where first-party Nintendo games famously resist permanent price drops, seeing these 2017 masterpieces listed at a third off feels like a small miracle. Breath of the Wild’s discount likely serves a dual purpose: not only does it welcome late adopters into Hyrule, but it also acts as a gateway to its direct sequel, Tears of the Kingdom. The 2023 follow-up, while not quite at the $40 mark, has also received a modest reduction, inviting those who finish Link’s first open-world adventure to continue the journey without hesitation.
Mario’s presence in the sale is equally formidable. Super Mario Odyssey descends to the $40 tier, a rare sight for a game starring gaming’s most recognizable mascot. Alongside it, New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe are each $20 cheaper than usual. The staying power of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe defies all conventional logic. Even after accumulating a staggering attach rate—nearly one out of every two Switch owners already has a copy—the kart racer continues to sell millions of copies annually. A massive infusion of DLC through the Booster Course Pass has effectively doubled the track count since launch, adding fresh circuits, fan-favorite retro courses, and a handful of new racers. That steady stream of post-launch content has transformed the game into an endlessly replayable service, keeping its price tag firm until promotions like this one.
Beyond the heavyweight champions, the spring sale extends to a few less obvious picks that deserve renewed attention. Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze, originally a Wii U gem that made the leap to Switch in 2018, has slipped to $39.99. Its tight platforming, vibrant worlds, and exceptional soundtrack remain benchmarks of the genre, yet it often flies under the radar compared to Mario’s adventures. The discount offers a perfect excuse to give it the spotlight it has long merited. Also joining the promotion is Splatoon 3, the ink-splattering shooter that freshens up competitive multiplayer with chaotic turf wars and a surprisingly deep single-player campaign. Although it hasn't quite captured the zeitgeist of its predecessors, the game remains a radically different experience from anything else on the platform—part shooter, part territory control, and entirely drenched in style. While it costs less than full price, its current Amazon listing makes it particularly tempting for anyone craving a multiplayer title that breaks the mold.
These price drops come at a telling moment. The Nintendo Switch is now in its ninth year on the market, and while sales remain healthy, the company has officially teased a successor device slated for later in 2026. Historically, as a console generation winds down, even the most guarded publishers loosen their grip on pricing to clear inventory and introduce their catalog to a final wave of buyers. For frugal players who have waited years to add these essential games to their libraries, the message is clear: the window for physical copies at these prices may not stay open for long. Whether you are stepping into Hyrule for the first time, chasing moons across the Mushroom Kingdom, or finally giving that barrel-blasting ape a chance, the current Amazon discounts represent one of the best opportunities to stock up on Switch greatness before the industry’s attention turns to the next big thing.