How to get the best Black Friday deal for the Nintendo Switch

Since its launch in March 2017, the Nintendo Switch has
been one of the company’s fastest selling consoles
ever.
AP/Koji
Sasahara

• Nintendo wont be offering any major deals on the
  Nintendo Switch, even though the video game console being one
  of the most searched for items this holiday season,
• The company’s best Black Friday deal is a new bundle,
  which includes the console and a copy of “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe”
  bundle for $300. 
  A new Switch console is
  usually $300 alone, so the deal is essentially for a free copy
  of “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe,” which normally sells for
  $60.
• Some stores, like GameStop and Kohl’s, are offering
  additional cash back with the purchase of a new Switch — but
  those are limited to Black Friday doorbuster deals, so be
  advised. 
• Nintendo also sells refurbished Switch consoles
  year-round for $275, a slight discount.

For the second year in a row. the Nintendo Switch will be one of
the most sought after tech gifts of the holiday season — but
Nintendo still isn’t ready to start offering deep discounts on
its newest video game console.

For Black Friday 2018, Nintendo is offering a new Switch bundle
with the console and a copy of “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” for $300.
The deal essentially offers the Switch at its regular price of
$300, and adds in a free game. For most Switch shoppers, this
will be your best bet.

That’s not a bad deal on its own. But the main competitors to the
Switch, the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One, will both be on sale
for $200 with a free game during the holidays. For $200, you can
get a PlayStation 4 console with the sensational “Marvel’s
Spider-Man,” or an Xbox One S console bundled with “Minecraft”
and some extras. Those bundles are available now. 

Nintendo is known for its reluctance to drop prices. But after a
relatively slow year for the Switch, which didn’t see many
big-ticket exclusive releases, a juicier Black Friday sale
could’ve brought more attention back to the young console. 

Of note: Nintendo is also offering a $360 bundle that gives you
the Switch console and copies of “Mario Tennis Aces” and the
party game oddity “1-2-Switch.” Given that the console is $300,
“Mario Tennis Aces” is $60, and “1-2-Switch” is $40 or so, it’s a
decent deal — but by
most reports, “1-2-Switch” isn’t necessarily worth your
time. 

Nintendo doesn’t appear to be offering sale prices for any of its
first-party Switch games either, including best-selling titles
from last year like “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” and
“Super Mario Odyssey.” That said, Nintendo is known to introduce
last-second sales on digital download games on Black Friday
itself, so stay tuned. 

Read more: 
The Nintendo Switch is having a
surprisingly weak second year

For those still interested in buying a Switch, GameStop and
Kohl’s are offering some additional cash-back sweetneers on new
Switch bundles purchased only on the day of Black Friday itself —
so get ready to brave the crowds if you want these offers.

GameStop is offering a $50 gift card with a purchase of the
“Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” bundle, which is almost enough for a second
game. Kohl’s is selling the Nintendo Switch on its own with a
Turtle Beach headset and carrying case for $329, with $90 in
Kohl’s Cash as a bonus. The Kohl’s Cash functions as a gift card,
but cannot be used on the same day of the purchase, making it a
good deal for the frequent Kohl’s shopper.

If you’re willing to buy a used system, Nintendo offers refurbished Switch consoles
for $275, plus shipping. Refurbished Switch consoles come with a
guarantee from Nintendo and carry a one-year manufacturer’s
warranty. Business Insider reporter Antonio Villas-Boas ordered a
refurbished Switch in September and was thoroughly satisfied with
his experience.