Amazon is currently offering discounts on Nintendo Switch 2 titles this week. This gives buyers a chance to snag launch-window games for less than their usual $69.99–$79.99 prices. This sale comes at a time when game pricing and DLC monetization practices are under increased scrutiny across the industry.
Nintendo’s Switch 2 debuted in 2025 with strong demand for the hardware. However, its software lineup features some of the highest recommended retail prices in the history of handheld gaming. Retailers like Amazon often discount both physical and digital titles to boost attach rates, and this week’s promotion fits that trend. CNN’s two-month review of the Switch 2 hardware concluded that the system is worth its price for dedicated Nintendo fans, though software pricing remains a concern for buyers looking for value.
This timing resonates amid rising consumer frustration over monetization after launch. Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which came out on March 20, 2025, has faced ongoing criticism on Steam for its DLC structure. Reviewers have pointed out that achieving 100% completion can cost around $90 USD in additional purchases beyond the base game. This issue has led to negative overall community sentiment. Right now, the game is available for $0.99 on Steam, indicating that aggressive discounts are already happening on PC.
This frustration is why retail sales events are particularly significant right now. Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days, which took place on October 7–8, has created a routine of gaming discounts that retailers are now competing over. When publishers face backlash regarding DLC pricing, discounts on base games become one of the few ways to win back goodwill.
For Switch 2 owners, this sale is a practical chance to save. Physical Switch 2 games hold their resale value better than digital ones. Shopping during a discount period helps lower the effective cost of a game library that can add up quickly at full price. IGN’s analysis of the Amazon sale points out the top titles worth considering during this promotion.
| Switch 2 Standard Game MSRP | $69.99–$79.99 |
| AC Shadows Release Date | March 20, 2025 |
| AC Shadows Current Steam Price | $0.99 |
| Estimated AC Shadows Full Completion DLC Cost | ~$90 USD (per community reports) |
| Amazon Prime Big Deal Days 2024 | October 7–8 |
Community Pulse: The backlash against DLC for recent AAA releases is influencing how gamers approach sales events. One Steam reviewer bluntly stated: “Avoid. If you’re aiming for 100% completions, prepare to spend $90 USD in DLC to get the last achievement for that hundo.” This sentiment appears across various reviews, showing a growing caution toward games that require additional purchases for full completion. It’s leading players to wait for steep discounts before buying full-priced titles.
What To Watch
- Switch 2 software pricing pressure: Keep an eye on whether Nintendo and third-party publishers change their standard pricing as the Switch 2 library grows and sales events become more common.
- AC Shadows DLC response: Ubisoft’s approach to the rising DLC pricing backlash — including any potential changes to achievement requirements or content bundles — will be a key example of how publishers handle criticism about completion-gating in 2025–2026.
- Retail vs. digital discount parity: Watch if Amazon’s discounts on physical games lead to similar reductions on Nintendo’s eShop, where digital prices for Switch 2 games have mostly stayed the same since launch.
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is the Reviews and Guides Editor at Explosion.com. With a background in game design studies and 6 years of gaming journalism, Sarah brings technical insight to her reviews and creates comprehensive guides that help players get the most out of their games. She has reviewed over 200 titles across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo platforms. Her current obsessions include FromSoftware titles and indie roguelikes.
