The global economy has been behaving in unsettling ways recently—unsettling and unfavorable. We're seeing inflation, tariff instability, and many items are significantly pricier than just a few years back. I recall when game consoles used to drop in price over their lifecycle. Nowadays, they seem to only get more expensive.
First, Xbox increased its prices, and now Nintendo has raised the cost of its original Switch hardware. Surprisingly, Walmart appears to have missed the update, as it's currently selling the Switch OLED for just $299. That’s a full $100 off the current MSRP, and even lower than the original price before the increase. However, I doubt this offer will stick around for long, so if you're interested, it's best to act quickly.
Get a Switch OLED for $299
Nintendo Switch OLED (White)
$399.99 save 25% $299.00 at Walmart
Nintendo announced the price increases just last week, and Target was quick to adopt the new pricing. Other retailers have followed, so I wouldn't count on Walmart's discounted price lasting much longer. The cost is bound to return to the standard MSRP soon.
Should You Buy a Switch OLED When the Switch 2 Is Out?
The natural question is: who would consider buying a Switch 1 now that the Switch 2 is available (and stock shortages are over)? Realistically, very few people should purchase a Switch 1 at this point. If you plan on playing video games for the next five to seven years—essentially, throughout this Nintendo console generation—you shouldn't buy a Switch 1 in 2025. Instead, opt for the Switch 2. My general recommendation is to avoid the Switch 1 right now. The Switch 2 can run almost the entire Switch 1 library, often with quicker load times, and it will support all upcoming Switch 2 titles for the next decade.
However, if you have a specific reason for wanting a Switch OLED—perhaps you're a collector, or you absolutely must have that stunning OLED screen—now is the moment to buy. This model rarely goes on sale. It has seen occasional Black Friday bundles and discounts from third-party sellers, but throughout its time on the market, it has never received an official MSRP reduction. The price remained unchanged from its 2017 launch until last week, when it actually increased.
So, if you're certain you want to add a Switch OLED to your collection, this is the deal to take. It's definitely not a recommendation for everyone—most should prioritize the Switch 2, especially before any potential future price increase. But if you're sure a Switch OLED is what you need, this offer is the one you've been waiting for.
