Lead
Black Friday shopping continued through 27–29 November 2025 with multiple UK and US retailers running Nintendo Switch 2 bundles and steep game discounts. Major bundles include Switch 2 + Mario Kart World at Argos for £399.99 and a Switch 2 + Mario Kart World + Donkey Kong Bananza package at Very for £439 (was £484). Amazon, Currys, QVC and other sellers also list console and game bundles, while some third‑party titles — notably Madden NFL 26 — have been marked down as much as 57% to $29.99. Stock and small price shifts remain the main risk for bargain hunters ahead of the holiday weekend.
Key Takeaways
- Argos is offering a Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle for £399.99, down from £429, the cheapest Switch 2 bundle found in the UK live coverage.
- Very has a Switch 2 + Mario Kart World + Donkey Kong Bananza bundle reduced to £439 from £484, a saving of £45 on the package price.
- Amazon UK listed the Switch 2 console alone at around £385 and an OLED console bundle with Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2 at about £299.
- US retailers such as QVC and Walmart have larger bundles: QVC’s Switch 2 bundle was shown at $659.99 (reduced), Walmart had a Pokémon + Mario Kart World bundle for $669.99 reduced to $749.99 earlier in the day.
- Third‑party game discounts are deeper: Madden NFL 26 dropped 57% to $29.99 (from $69.99), while multiple Switch titles saw double‑digit reductions across retailers.
- Refurbished consoles remain a low‑cost option — Amazon renewed Switch OLED examples appeared priced substantially lower than new units.
- Retailers are adding modest extras—Amazon and Nintendo UK promotions included free digital subscriptions or small holiday ornaments—but real savings are usually in bundled first‑party titles and accessory packs.
Background
Black Friday 2025 has followed a familiar pattern for Nintendo hardware: limited direct discounts on new consoles, with retailers using curated bundles and game price cuts to create perceived value. The Switch 2, released earlier in 2025, positioned itself as a clear performance step up from previous models with higher handheld resolution and more internal storage, which has reduced the frequency and depth of headline price cuts compared with older generations.
Retailers often prefer bundling first‑party games such as Mario Kart and Zelda to protect hardware margins while still offering shoppers an appealing package. At the same time, the market still supports three discrete Nintendo hardware lines — Switch 2, Switch OLED and Switch Lite — each aimed at different buyer priorities: power and future‑proofing (Switch 2), handheld image quality (OLED), and low cost/portability (Lite).
Main Event
Across the live updates, Argos repeatedly surfaced as the lowest UK price for a Switch 2 bundle: console plus Mario Kart World for £399.99. Very and Currys chased with multi‑game bundles and accessory packs that sometimes deliver larger total‑package savings when compared to buying items separately. Amazon intermittently undercut Argos on the console‑only price and carried its own curated bundles.
Sellers also emphasized convenience bundles that combine console, two flagship titles and accessories to target holiday shoppers who want a plug‑and‑play gift. Examples included Very’s Switch 2 + Mario Kart World + Donkey Kong Bananza at £439 and Currys offering Mario Kart World with two racing wheels for around £404. These packages often show larger nominal discounts than stand‑alone price cuts on the hardware.
Game discounts were broader than hardware cuts. Sports and third‑party titles have seen the biggest relative falls — the live coverage highlighted Madden NFL 26 at 57% off — while first‑party Nintendo blockbusters typically enjoyed smaller but still meaningful reductions in bundled form. Refurbished consoles and renewed listings also provided the steepest single‑item savings for budget buyers.
Analysis & Implications
Nintendo’s strategy in 2025 appears to prioritize ecosystem value (game sales, subscriptions and accessories) over deep hardware markdowns for Switch 2. Bundles allow retailers to present attractive offers without forcing the platform holder into large direct cuts. For consumers, this means genuine savings are most likely when bundles include high‑value first‑party titles that hold resale price (Mario, Zelda) or when third‑party publishers choose aggressive discounting windows.
From a market perspective, modest console discounts combined with deeper game sales can boost overall attachment rates (games and accessories sold per console). That helps Nintendo and retail partners maintain healthier margins while still driving volume during the holiday period. Retail inventory management is another factor: limited stock appears to be nudging retailers toward curated bundles to move boxed inventory faster.
For shoppers, the tradeoff is straightforward. If you want the lowest out‑of‑pocket cost for a working Switch experience, refurbished or console‑only deals are best. If you value immediate play‑ready kits and gifting convenience, bundles that include two first‑party titles often represent better real‑world value despite smaller headline percentage savings on the console itself.
Comparison & Data
| Bundle | Retailer | Was | Now | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switch 2 + Mario Kart World | Argos (UK) | £429 | £399.99 | £29.01 |
| Switch 2 + Mario Kart World + Donkey Kong Bananza | Very (UK) | £484 | £439 | £45 |
| Switch OLED + Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2 | Amazon (UK) | ~£319.95 | £299 | ~£20.95 |
The table highlights how bundle composition affects perceived savings. When included games would cost £50–£100 each at RRP, packaging them with a console can generate a stronger feeling of value even if the console’s own discount is small. Shoppers should total individual component prices and compare to the bundle price before deciding.
Reactions & Quotes
“We loved reviewing the Switch 2 — it’s a meaningful step up from previous models and that performance premium helps explain why deep console cuts are rare.”
Creative Bloq review team (media)
“Bundles with a 12‑month Nintendo Switch Online subscription and small holiday ornaments are part of our seasonal promotions to add value for buyers.”
Nintendo UK (official announcement)
“Third‑party titles are where you’ll see the biggest percentage drops this Black Friday; sports franchises and annualised series are showing the largest markdowns.”
Retail e‑commerce analyst (industry commentary)
Unconfirmed
- The long‑term availability of the discounted bundles through Monday is uncertain and likely depends on individual retailer stock levels.
- The QVC cart activity figure (766 shoppers added a bundle in the last 24 hours) was reported by the retailer’s page and not independently verified.
- Any larger, site‑wide Nintendo price cuts during the holiday weekend beyond the bundles listed were not confirmed at time of posting.
Bottom Line
This Black Friday cycle shows limited direct discounts on the new Switch 2 hardware but meaningful consumer value in well‑constructed bundles and steep third‑party game sales. If you want the most immediate play value, pick bundles that include first‑party titles you actually plan to play; if you’re price‑sensitive, refurbished consoles and targeted game deals will deliver the biggest percentage savings.
Always cross‑check bundle components against standalone prices and confirm whether included games are physical or digital. Monitor stock and price changes over the weekend: small price movements are common and can change which retailer offers the best net value within hours.
Sources
- Creative Bloq live blog — media live coverage and deal tracking (original live blog used for this summary)
- Nintendo UK store — official promotions and bundle descriptions (official)
- Amazon UK — retailer listings and bundle prices (retailer)
- Argos — retailer bundle pricing (retailer)
- Very — retailer bundle pricing (retailer)