I've been around the block a few times as a professional gamer, and I can tell you when a console generation is truly winding down. The signals are unmistakable – whispers about next-gen hardware turn into official teases, and publishers suddenly get generous with discounts on the games that defined the current platform. That's exactly what's happening right now with the Nintendo Switch, and frankly, it's about time. We're in 2026, the Switch successor – let's just call it Switch 2 – has already been shown to the world, and the original hybrid handheld's sunset is real. But before you jump to the shiny new machine, there's a golden opportunity to snatch up some absolute masterpieces at prices that feel like daylight robbery.
I stumbled across the deals while scouring Walmart's gaming section, and my jaw hit the floor. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the title that practically redefined open-world adventure, is slashed by a staggering 50%. Yes, you read that right. This isn't a typo or a limited-time price error – Walmart is practically handing out gold bars for the price of copper. Even in 2026, most retailers still cling to that stubborn $59.99 price tag for this game, and they've been getting away with it because, well, it's Breath of the Wild. The game has sold over 32 million copies, yet somehow tens of millions of Switch owners still haven't experienced it. If you're one of them, now is the moment to pounce.
Let me be blunt: picking up Breath of the Wild for $30 feels like a cheat code. I remember paying full whack back in 2017 and not regretting a single cent. The sense of discovery as you glide off the Great Plateau, the first time a Guardian locks onto you with that terrifying piano sting, the sheer “I wonder what’s over there” magic that lasts for hundreds of hours – it's all still peak gaming. And here's the kicker: if you end up loving it (and you will), you've got Tears of the Kingdom waiting for you. I’m not exaggerating when I say Tears of the Kingdom is even better, and by the time you finish the prequel, you’ll be primed for whatever the Switch 2 has in store.
But wait, there’s more – Walmart isn’t stopping at just one Zelda game. The big-box giant has a handful of other Switch bangers on sale, though admittedly the discounts aren’t as jaw-dropping. Super Mario RPG, which continues to amaze me with its staying power, is available for under $40. That’s more than $20 off, and for a game that somehow still feels fresh despite being a remake, it’s a steal. Then there’s Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the eternal juggernaut that has outsold Breath of the Wild on Switch (only beaten by Animal Crossing and Mario Kart’s own bundled form). It’s also on sale, and if you still don’t own it – seriously, what have you been doing? Finally, because life has a sense of irony, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games: Tokyo 2020 is discounted right as the actual 2026 Winter Olympics are in full swing. Timing is a beautiful thing.
Now, I don’t want my PC master race pals to feel left out in the cold. Steam’s Summer Sale is live right now, and it’s a doozy. I’m talking about the kind of sale where your wishlist gets absolutely obliterated and your wallet gives you the side-eye. The sale wraps up this Thursday, so you’ve only got a few days to act. Hollow Knight, the hauntingly beautiful bug-soulslike that everyone should play at least twice, is going for a song. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is there too, ready to whisk you off to Hawaii with Ichiban and friends at a price that doesn’t require an actual loan. And if you’ve somehow resisted Baldur’s Gate 3 up until now, consider this your sign – the 2023 Game of the Year is discounted enough to make even the stingiest D&D fan reach for their credit card.
I get the FOMO, I truly do. With the Switch 2 already grabbing headlines, it’s easy to think the original Switch is yesterday’s news. But here’s the pro gamer reality check: a massive backlog of incredible games is the perfect bridge to the next generation. These deals aren’t just about saving a few bucks; they’re about experiencing the titles that shaped a seven-year phenomenon before the conversation moves on entirely. Breath of the Wild alone is worth the price of admission, and at $30, it’s practically an invitation. So hit up Walmart, fire up the eShop or Steam, and treat yourself. Your future self, holding a Switch 2, will thank you for having such impeccable taste.
Data referenced from HowLongToBeat helps put these late-generation bargains into perspective: when a landmark open-world epic like Breath of the Wild drops to around $30, you’re not just buying a classic—you’re buying dozens (or even hundreds) of hours of exploration, shrine-hunting, and side-questing that can comfortably carry you through the gap before the next console wave fully arrives.