Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers are a curious new way to save money

Pay $100 for two games, but only if you’re an Online subscriber

Nintendo has a slightly roundabout new way to save money on Nintendo Switch games. What are they? Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers. What do they do? Slice as much as $20 off a two-game bill.

Here’s how it works: Nintendo Switch Online members can pay $100 for a pair of vouchers that can be exchanged on the Nintendo eShop for “two eligible digital games.” The example used was Super Mario Maker 2 (as a $60 pre-purchase) and either Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Mario Odyssey, or Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The idea is to select qualifying games collectively worth more than a hundred bucks.

According to a Nintendo press release, “By redeeming these vouchers, users are saving up to $19.99 on the combined suggested retail price of two games. Vouchers are redeemable for one year from the date of purchase and don’t have to be used at the same time.” The list of games is mostly first-party:

• Super Mario Maker 2
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
• 1-2-Switch
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
• ARMS
• Xenoblade Chronicles 2
• Splatoon 2
• Super Mario Odyssey
• Bayonetta 2
• Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido
• Kirby Star Allies
• Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
• Mario Tennis Aces
• Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!
• Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!
• Super Mario Party
• New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
• Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition
• Yoshi’s Crafted World
• Fire Emblem Warriors
• Pokkén Tournament DX
• Octopath Traveler
• Fitness Boxing
• Dragon Quest Builders
• Go Vacation
• The World Ends with You: Final Remix
• Astral Chain (eligible in the future)
  
• Fire Emblem: Three Houses (eligible in the future)
  
• Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order (eligible in the future)

Worth noting: “The selection of eligible software will continue to grow over time.”

The voucher announcement was tucked midway through the Super Mario Maker 2 Nintendo Direct presentation, and my brain was too gelatinous from all the bullet points prior to then to comprehend it. Now I see. The only other caveat is that you have to buy the vouchers before July 31, 2019.

I think I’m gonna go for Mario Maker 2 now and see what else pops up later for my second game.