I swear, Black Friday comes around faster every year. One minute you’re still playing Tears of the Kingdom, the next you’re scrolling through fifty pages of “limited-time” Switch bundles that have been on sale since July.
And yes, I’m one of those people who paid full price for the original Nintendo Switch back in 2017, before realising that, apparently, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe will be bundled with it every single year until the end of time. But hey, it’s tradition now.
So, rather than just dumping a list of random Amazon links, I wanted to round up the bundles, accessories, and games that make sense for normal people, not just hardcore collectors.
Let’s get to it!
The Console Conundrum: Switch, OLED, Lite, or Just Get the Switch 2?
Now that the Nintendo Switch 2 is officially out, Black Friday looks a little different this year. You’ll see huge markdowns on the older models, but are they still worth it when the shiny new console is sitting on the shelf?
Honestly… it depends. The Switch 2 is an impressive upgrade (faster load times, better visuals, proper backward compatibility), but it’s also brand new, full price, and almost impossible to find in stock. So, if you don’t fancy camping outside Tesco or paying scalper prices, these classic models are still fantastic buys for 2025.
Nintendo Switch OLED Deals
This is the one most people should still aim for. It’s got that gorgeous OLED display (brighter, sharper, and just more enjoyable to play on). Same performance as the standard model, but visually a big step up.
Black Friday bundles with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Tears of the Kingdom, or Metroid Prime Remastered are typically the best value, especially from places like Amazon, Currys, and Best Buy.
Standard Nintendo Switch Deals
Still a great buy if you mainly play docked. Expect £40–£70 off, often with bonus controllers or digital game codes thrown in. The performance matches the OLED (minus the fancy screen), and it’s still one of the most reliable consoles ever made.
Now that the Switch 2 is out, these are going to drop in price faster than Joy-Cons start drifting, so if you want a cheap entry into the Nintendo ecosystem, this is your year.
Switch Lite Deals
Perfect for kids, commuters, or anyone who just wants a dedicated handheld without spending big on the Switch 2. The Switch Lite often dips below £150 during Black Friday, making it one of the best budget gaming buys around.
No docking, no detachable Joy-Cons, and no TV mode. But for portable gaming or as a second console for the family, it’s unbeatable.
So, Should You Buy Now or Go Switch 2?
If you want the latest hardware and can find it at retail price, sure, grab the Switch 2. But for everyone else, the OLED and Lite models are still brilliant deals. They’ve got huge game libraries, cheaper accessories, and won’t leave your wallet sobbing.
My Take: Unless you just need 4K or faster load times, the OLED still gives you 90% of the experience for about half the money.
Accessories Worth Buying (and Avoiding)
If you’ve already got a Switch, Black Friday is the perfect time to grab the extra gear that actually makes it better (not just clutter). There’s a mountain of third-party accessories out there, but only a few are worth your money.
Let’s break it down.
Worth It
These are the ones I’ve bought myself:
- Nintendo Pro Controller: Usually £20–£30 off during Black Friday. It’s easily the best controller for long sessions, especially compared to those noisy Joy-Cons that feel like they’re made of air.
- MicroSD Cards: Grab a 256GB or 512GB from SanDisk or Samsung. Black Friday often brings crazy discounts; I’ve seen 512GB drop below £40. Essential for digital hoarders.
- Carrying Cases & Travel Gear: Look for Tomtoc, Waterfield, or even Nintendo’s official cases. They actually protect your Switch instead of turning it into a loose rattling mess.
- Extra Joy-Cons: Yes, they’re expensive, but inevitable. Joy-Con drift is basically a personality trait at this point, and having spares means you can swap instead of rage.
Skip These
Every Black Friday, there’s a ton of junk labeled “Switch accessory” that looks tempting because it’s £5. Most of it belongs in the bin.
- Off-brand docks: Seriously, don’t. Some of them can brick your Switch, and that’s not the kind of deal you want.
- Fake controllers: if it doesn’t say Nintendo, PowerA, or 8BitDo, it’s probably laggy and awful.
- No-name battery packs: Saving £10 isn’t worth frying your USB-C port.
The Bottom Line: Spend your money on the stuff you’ll actually use. A good controller, a decent case, and enough storage to avoid deleting Zelda saves more headaches than any fake 10-in-1 accessory pack ever will.
Nintendo Switch Black Friday Buying Tips
Black Friday shopping can feel a bit like Mario Kart. It starts off fun, then descends into chaos as everyone races for the same deals. Half the links don’t work, and you end up buying something you didn’t need because “it was 15% off.”
Here’s how to stay sane and actually snag the good stuff:
1. Set Price Alerts Early
Sites like PriceSpy and HotUKDeals can save you a ton of time. Add your must-have items now (like OLED bundle, Pro Controller, SD card, etc.) and get notified the second they drop.
2. Don’t Fall for Fake Discounts
If something’s “50% off,” check the price history with a tool like Keepa. Many retailers quietly bump prices before Black Friday, then “slash” them back down to normal. If a deal’s been running all year, it’s not a deal.
3. Sign in Before the Chaos Starts
If you’re planning to buy from the Nintendo eShop, log in early. The store tends to crash harder than Smash Bros. online lobbies the moment sales go live.
4. Compare Bundles Closely
Retailers love to pad out bundles with cheap extras like screen protectors, random charging grips, or third-party cases that look like they came from a vending machine. Sometimes (okay, most of the time) you’re better off skipping the bundle and just buying the console alone.
5. Don’t Panic Buy
Black Friday’s become a week-long event, and deals often return for Cyber Monday. If you miss something, wait a day. Or, check Nintendo’s official store, which often price matches later.
My Rule of Thumb: If it wasn’t on your wish list before Black Friday, it’s not suddenly a “must-have” now.
My Verdict: What to Grab and What to Skip
If you’re looking for real value this Black Friday, go for a Switch OLED bundle. The screen is gorgeous, it feels premium, and when you get Mario Kart 8 Deluxe thrown in, you’re basically getting the game for free. Add a Pro Controller and a 512GB microSD, and you’ve got a setup that’ll last you for years.
If you’re on a tighter budget, the Switch Lite is still a brilliant choice, especially for kids or anyone who plays handheld-only. Pair it with a few digital classics from the eShop sale (Hades, Celeste, Stardew Valley), and you’re all set.
What to skip?
The overpriced accessory bundles, random off-brand docks, and anything claiming to “supercharge your Switch” for £9.99. Trust me, it won’t.
At the end of the day, Black Friday is less about impulse buys and more about smart upgrades. If you’ve been eyeing a new console or controller, now’s the best time. If you’re just browsing out of boredom… maybe close the tab before your cart gets ideas.
I say this every year: buy what you’ll actually use, not what looks good in a thumbnail. And if you do grab any good deals, drop them in the comments. I’ll pretend I’m not adding them to my own basket.
