The Nintendo Switch OLED model boasts a vibrant, 7-inch display and slate of minor upgrades. | Image: Nintendo
The Nintendo Switch was, like most consoles during the pandemic, once in short supply. Thankfully, retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart now routinely stock the Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite in multiple color configurations and models, giving those who struck out ample opportunity to purchase Nintendo’s versatile console.
We’re keeping an eye across the web to find where you can buy a Nintendo Switch, the Nintendo Switch Lite (the portable-only version of the console), and the new Nintendo Switch OLED model, as well as any bundles that seem like good deals.
Where can I buy a Nintendo Switch or Switch Lite right now?
Over at Amazon, you can buy an updated Nintendo Switch model with gray Joy-Cons, plus a 64GB SanDisk MicroSD card for $313.79. If you’re looking to upgrade, Amazon is offering two additional bundles, one with a 128GB SanDisk MicroSD card for $319.99 and one with a 256GB SanDisk MicroSD card for $342.49.
You can purchase the updated Nintendo Switch model with gray Joy-Cons or red and blue Joy-Cons for either $299 or $299.99 at Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, and Target. The Animal Crossing: New Horizons Edition is also available for purchase from Amazon for $299.99, as well as Target and Walmart.
Best Buy and Target are currently the only retailers carrying the Nintendo Switch Lite, which is available in the blue and pink colorways for its standard MSRP of $199.99.
If you’re not against buying a preowned or refurbished console, you’ll want to check out GameStop, where you can currently pick up a first-gen Nintendo Switch with gray Joy-Cons for $280. Another good place to look is Nintendo’s online store, where you can often find refurbished Switch consoles.
Nintendo
Where can I buy a Nintendo Switch OLED right now?
The Nintendo Switch OLED officially went on sale in October for $349.99, and offers a slew of improvements, most notably a vibrant 7-inch OLED display and an improved kickstand that offers far greater stability. The speakers get a bit louder and offer a touch more clarity, too, and there’s a wired ethernet port built directly into the dock.
While it was initially extremely difficult to find, the supply of the OLED model seems to have finally caught up with demand. In fact, in some cases, the upgraded console is easier to find right now than certain colorways of the Nintendo Switch Lite.
At the time of this writing, the Nintendo Switch OLED model is available online at Amazon, Target, and Nintendo for $349.99, the standard retail price. Best Buy also has the hybrid console in stock, however, it’s currently only available for in-store pickup.
What accessories do I need to buy for the Nintendo Switch?
Frankly, the Switch comes with everything that you need to get started and have fun. However, a few extra purchases can help you get a little more out of your console, and in some cases, help it weather the wear and tear that it’ll undoubtedly endure.
First off, a MicroSD card will help you extend your Switch’s default 32GB of storage. Amazon, Best Buy, and other retailers regularly sell cards with up to 512GB of storage for around $55.99. A 400GB microSD card will cost you around $47.99, though, and with each game ranging in download size from 1GB to tens of gigabytes, the card has enough space to store several of them. Right now, the best deal available is probably at Costco, where members can get a two-pack of SanDisk’s 256GB MicroSD cards for $49.99.
Let’s talk quickly about controllers. The Switch Joy-Cons have a somewhat unconventional look. Nevertheless, the Pro Controller is a great alternative to play most Switch games, though some Super Mario Party titles require the Joy-Cons to play. If you are looking for a Switch Pro Controller, Amazon, GameStop, and Best Buy all currently have the controller available for $69.98, the full MSRP.
Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
The Switch doesn’t include a screen protector, so make that one of the first things you buy.
Next up, get a tempered glass screen cover. The display on the Switch and Switch Lite is covered in plastic, and it’s just asking to get scratched as soon as you take it out of the box. Save the heartbreak by getting an affordable, easy-to-apply glass cover at Amazon. A three-pack of amFilm tempered glass protectors for the Switch Lite is currently $7.99.
If you want to play online with friends, ensure that your saves are backed up in the cloud, and get access to a slate of on-demand games from the original Nintendo console and SNES console era, you’ll want to get a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. It’s $19.99 per year for a single user on a console or $34.99 a year for up to eight users on different consoles.