For Nintendo Switch owners who love a good bargain on physical games, Target stores across the US have shown a pattern they may want to pay attention to. Over the past few days, several Reddit posts have revealed that gamers have found significant markdowns on both Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 games, with some titles reduced to fractions of their retail prices. While Target hasn't made an official announcement about a bulk sale or clearance event, gamers in stores are seeing discounted racks and clearance sections dedicated to Nintendo's handheld console, prompting waves of joyous posts and photos on r/Switch and other subreddits.
The reports suggest that these deals aren't just limited to budget titles either. Users share screenshots and receipts showing games like Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Brilliant Diamond for just $18, which is well below their normal asking price. Users have also shared their experiences at smaller local Target locations with significant price cuts on many other Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 cartridges as well. While it's advisable to call local shops before heading out there, there's a growing feeling among players that if you're willing to check in in person, you might just walk out with a big haul for a lot less than you bargained for.
What Nintendo Switch owners will find on Target shelves
With no official confirmation from Target, all Nintendo Switch game sales have largely come from the Reddit community. One of the more popular but comical Reddit posts by plasticdump titled “Finally found the coveted clearance games section at my Target”, actually shows a bunch of Nintendo Switch games on clearance, though the bulk of what's pictured are copies of Just dance. One commenter in the thread said they found the same thing at their target, while another comment by bobmlord1 mentioned that many of the Nintendo Switch games that are actually on clearance aren't marked and won't show the price drop until they've been scanned.
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Another popular Reddit post by user CoffeeAndWork shows an image of Pokemon: Let's Go, Eevee!although the title mockingly calls it “Fire Red”. Yet the game, normally $55, appears marked down to $16.49. Other posts show games like Pokemon Brilliant Diamond available for $18 and TMNT: The Cowabunga Collection for only $4.70.
A third Reddit post by user cadensky shows what is arguably one of the better goal-finishing moves for Nintendo Switch games, with the majority of them being large. Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, Pokemon Violet, Pokemon Sword, The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening remake, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Editionand Mortal Kombat 1 are all shown in the picture, with the OP saying their grand total haul was only $119 with tax.
Why These Nintendo Switch Sales Can Happen
Retail game shelves often go through rotation, and physical games often see more aggressive discounts as gamers tend to prefer digital downloads and subscription services these days. In the case of Target, it may be that inventory changes or shelf priorities simply make room for new products and push older physical inventory into clearance locations.
Ultimately, it varies by location and is not standardized across all stores. What one player thinks is incredibly discounted may be completely missing at another location. However, the number of reports coming in from those who have managed to find these sales has to be more than coincidence at this point – enough to warrant a trip to Target if you're looking to add some new Switch games to your library.
How to maximize your chances of finding deals
- CALL BEFORE — Some users found that calling the electronics section of their target before visiting helped to confirm if stock was available.
- CHECK SMALLER STORES — Reduced inventory in urban or smaller targets seems to correlate with deeper discount shelves.
- BE PATIENT AND THOROUGH — Clearance racks are not always front and center and can be tucked into electronics aisles or near seasonal items.
Whether you're new to the Switch or simply looking to expand a collection you've steadily built up over the years, this may be one of those rare windows where it's worth buying physical Nintendo Switch game cartridges. It's not a nationwide, headline-making sale, but for those willing to look, it's a trend Switch owners won't want to miss.
- Stamp
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Nintendo
- Original release date
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June 5, 2025
- Original MSRP (USD)
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$449.99
- Operating system
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Proprietary
- Resolution
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1080p (handheld) / 4K (docked)
- HDR support
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Yes
