FAQ: How to Buy Switch Games at the Best Price?

Newcomers who just got a Switch, or experienced players who've been playing for a while, are likely stuck on the same issue—buying games at a high price. Digital version vs. physical version, price differences across eShop regions, whether the Nintendo Game Voucher is worth it... These confusions are almost universal. Instead of reading a bunch of theoretical analysis, it's better to directly look at the answers to some frequently asked questions.

1. How to tell if discounted games on the eShop are worth buying?

The eShop has frequent sales, but just because a game is marked -30% or -50% doesn't mean it's a good deal. My habit is to first check the game's historical lowest price. Some games are always 30% off, but their historical low was 50% off; in that case, there's no rush to buy.

Additionally, cross-referencing with the game rankings and historical discount ranges gives you a better idea. Games at the top of the rankings are unlikely to disappoint, even if the discount isn't huge; whereas niche games, even at 70% off, have a high chance of gathering dust. I suggest adding the games you want to your wishlist first, and only buy when they reach 40% off or more—you generally won't lose out.

2. Which games are worth taking the time to research, rather than just chasing a low price?

Cheap doesn't mean saving money, and expensive doesn't mean a bad deal. If you're interested in a certain type of game, it's best to first browse the game guide to understand the genre and gameplay. For example, many people buy an open-world RPG on sale, only to find they don't have time to explore the map, and it ends up as digital clutter.

On the flip side, the indie game recommendations include titles that cost just tens or even a dozen dollars, like Dead Cells, Hades, and Stardew Valley, which turn out to be the games many people spend the most time on with their Switch. They have frequent discounts and low prices—after discounts, you can play for hundreds of hours for just a few dozen bucks, with cost-effectiveness far surpassing AAA titles.

3. Looking for a two-player game—what's the most cost-effective way to buy?

The buying strategy for two-player Switch games is different from single-player games. These games often require two people to play together. If only one person buys a cartridge, the other still needs to purchase a copy to play online, effectively doubling the cost.

A better solution is to use the carpooling/game-sharing service of Xingba. For example, popular two-player games like Overcooked! 2 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe can be shared via membership or digital sharing between two people, cutting the cost by more than half compared to each buying a separate cartridge. Plus, digital versions let you switch games without swapping cartridges, which is much more convenient for two players who like to swap games frequently.

4. How to get the best deal on those first-party titles in the "Nintendo game recommendations"?

The discount pattern for first-party titles is quite consistent. Nintendo's own games usually don't see big discounts—games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey only get around 30% off at best, and even that is rare. The most straightforward way to get them cheap is to buy a used cartridge and then sell it after finishing—you basically only pay the shipping difference.

Another approach is to keep an eye on Nintendo game recommendations lists for games that have great reviews but don't necessarily need to be bought at launch. For instance, titles like Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and Fire Emblem: Three Houses—wait four or five months after release for a discount, which is about a hundred bucks cheaper than the launch price. By then the game is complete, and the experience is actually better.

5. Digital version vs. physical cartridge—how to choose?

There's no one-size-fits-all answer, but you can decide based on your situation:

If you often switch between games, have multiple people in your household, or frequently take your Switch out, the digital version is far more convenient. No need to carry a cartridge case, instant game switching, and you can share with other accounts via a family membership. Many digital games on Xingba's Switch game recommendations list have had decent discounts—worth paying attention to.

If you only play one or two big titles, or want to resell games after finishing them, physical cartridges are more suitable. Keep in mind that the second-hand price of cartridges fluctuates quickly—selling a popular game right after finishing can fetch a good price, while niche games left sitting too long may become worthless.

In summary: Go digital for games you play often and switch between; go physical for games you'll finish and discard.