The Nintendo Switch 2 looms on the horizon, and with it, something far less exciting: rising game prices. Yes, your nostalgic joyride through Mushroom Kingdom is about to cost more coins.
While $60 used to be the top end for a new release, industry whispers and a certain inflation monster suggest that $80 (or more) is becoming the new normal. This isn’t just a Nintendo thing – Sony and Microsoft have already gone full Scrooge McDuck. Now it’s Mario’s turn to empty your wallet.
So, what’s a thrifty gamer to do in the face of inevitable wallet erosion? You’ve got to get strategic. One of the smartest moves is to keep an eye out for deals for a Nintendo gift card on Eneba before the prices surge. It’s like future-proofing your game habit – load your account with discounted credit now, and laugh maniacally as everyone else cries into their overpriced copies of Zelda: Tears of $79.99 later.
Plan Like a Gamer, Budget Like a Villain
Let’s be honest. You probably don’t need another copy of Breath of the Wild. What you do need is a plan. Begin by making a gaming wish list for the next 6-12 months. Then, take a long, hard look at what’s likely to come with a premium price tag. AAA Nintendo titles? Yep, those will lead the charge. Niche indie games? Maybe not, but don’t count on budget pricing forever.
Next, use your list to figure out how much you’re realistically going to spend. This isn’t therapy, so no judgment here – but maybe don’t pretend you’ll suddenly stop buying games just because the price went up. Once you’ve got a number in mind, start hoarding gift cards and snagging early pre-orders when prices are still sane. This is budgeting but with joy-cons.
Buy Low, Play Long
The age-old stock market advice applies to video games too: buy low. Except instead of stocks, you’re investing in digital currency and downloadable adventures where anthropomorphic animals have surprisingly deep emotional arcs. Digital marketplaces like Eneba often have Nintendo eShop cards for 10-20% off. That may not sound like much, but stack enough of those discounts, and you’ve basically created a loophole in Nintendo’s price hike master plan.
Don’t Forget the Freebies
If you’re feeling especially resourceful (read: broke), keep an eye on free-to-play options and seasonal game trials. Nintendo Online and other platforms occasionally toss gamers a bone in the form of timed free access to popular titles. It’s not glamorous, but hey, free is free. And with more games leaning into live service models, you can stretch that $0 game for months, provided you don’t cave and spend your savings on in-game hats.
Final Coins of Wisdom
The Nintendo Switch 2 era is about to begin, and it’s bringing higher game prices whether you like it or not. But that doesn’t mean you have to pay retail like some sort of digital peasant. With a little planning, a healthy disrespect for MSRP, and digital marketplaces like Eneba offering deals on all things digital, you can keep your backlog growing and your bank account relatively intact.
Just remember: when prices rise, the clever gamer doesn’t whine. They scheme.
