The new Nintendo Switch bundle is $80 off, has the latest Mario Kart and more

Looking for a way to switch things up for the holidays? If you have a child over the age of eight, chances are they have asked you for a Nintendo Switch by now. Maybe about 100 times. The gaming console was introduced way back in 2017 but remains Nintendo’s most recent (and popular), not to mention longest-running, unit.

What makes the Nintendo Switch so great? This compact console can be played handheld, propped up on a table, or connected to your TV. It supports a long list of exclusive Nintendo games that you won’t find on PlayStation or Xbox. Right now at Walmart, you can grab it on sale for $299, which includes the latest version of Mario Kart 8 and a Nintendo Switch Online subscription — saving you over 20%! This bundle has everything you need to start gaming right out of the box.

Note that past versions of these sort of bundles have sold out before the holidays, so you'll want to grab these while they're in stock.

Nintendo Switch Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundle

$299$379Save $80

Not only do you get the Nintendo Switch, including its dock and Joy-Con controllers, with this bundle. You also get a download code for a copy of Mario Kart 8 and a voucher for a 12-month Nintendo Switch Online membership that unlocks tons of classic games even Mom and Dad will love playing.

$299 at Walmart

Nintendo Switch OLED Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundle

$349$429Save $80

This bundle is identical to the one we mentioned above for the standard Switch, but it includes the Switch OLED, with its larger, brighter screen. In addition to Mario Kart 8, that 12-month Nintendo Online subscription includes more than 100 classic from the old-school NES, Super NES and Game Boy era. 

$349 at Walmart

Nintendo Switch Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundle

$299$379Save $80

These Switch bundles tend to sell out as the holidays approach — get this one while it's available.

$299 at Nintendo

The Nintendo Switch usually sells for about $300, and the Switch OLED for around $350 — with no games included. With this deal, you’re getting a full download for one of the most popular games, which sells on its own for $60. You also get a voucher you can redeem for a 12-month subscription to Nintendo Switch Online, valued at $20. With this subscription, you can connect remotely to play Mario Kart with up to 12 people in different racing modes and enjoy other multiplayer online games (sold separately), like Splatoon 3. The membership also includes access to more than 100 classic Nintendo titles that were available for old consoles like NES, Super NES, and Game Boy. Yes, this includes everything from Metroid to Punch-Out!, and Double Dragon, those same games you probably played as a kid. Add it all up and you’re saving $80 — basically getting the game and the subscription for free.

Not since the Game Boy or 3DS — not coincidentally, also Nintendo products — have we seen a kid-friendly, feature-rich gaming system you can take with you. Is your child headed to a friend’s house who has a Switch, or do they have a friend coming over? They can each bring along their own controller and play together. It can be a lifesaver on road trips or long waits for a flight in the airport since your kids or grandkids can play offline games to keep them busy, and to prevent you from hearing “Are we there yet?” for the millionth time.

It's small and compact, and with a carrying case, you can pack the console and tiny game cards in one place to neatly pop in your bag or backpack. The benefit when playing at home is the ability to connect the unit to its included dock and play on the big screen, too. With extra controllers, the whole family can play together for Friday family game night or rainy days in.

While the Nintendo Switch has been on the market for several years, it's still a hot ticket for gamers, thanks to its ever-growing catalog of games and appeal to all ages.

Pros 👍

As the only non-PC gaming console you can play on both the TV and on the go, both with and without an Internet connection, the Nintendo Switch is more versatile than a PlayStation or Xbox. There are games for all ages, and everyone from adults taking long-haul flights to kids looking for a way to keep busy for an hour or two of downtime will gravitate to it.

What’s more, the Nintendo Switch is the only console where you can play classic and popular titles from the Nintendo universe, including games with characters like Donkey Kong and Zelda and exclusive franchises like Animal Crossing, Metroid and Pikmin. The console also has tons of kid-friendly titles so you can confidently hand it over to a school-aged kid to play age-appropriate games.

Torn between the standard Switch and the Switch OLED? The reviewer from Engadget (which is owned by Yahoo) remarked that the latter model was "what we wish the original launch model could have been, with a bigger, brighter screen and significantly improved battery life."

Cons 👎

Quoting that same Engadget review, it's worth noting the original (non-OLED) unit has a sizable bezel around the screen — "one of the least attractive things about the system." While an aesthetic foible to the gaming elite, it's probably something your 7-year-old probably won’t care much about.

While there are many of the same games available for the Nintendo Switch that you’ll find for the PlayStation and Xbox consoles, you won’t get an experience that’s as graphically sophisticated with the Nintendo Switch. This is a console that’s designed more for casual gaming and gaming on the go than it is for the most incredible visual experience.

Finally, with rumors of a Nintendo Switch 2 coming soon, this console could become outdated and usurped by one with better features and improved performance, potentially even better battery life. That said, the rumored Nintendo sequel is expected to run all of the games from the current Switch, so your digital or cartridge purchases shouldn't become instantly outdated.

Want to save even more? Make sure you’re signed up for Walmart+. It’s easy to sign up for your free 30-day trial here. You’ll get free shipping and grocery delivery, savings on gas and prescriptions, exclusive access to major deals, and more. (And by the way, those without Walmart+ still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.