If You Own a Switch, Now Might Be a Good Time to Go to Target

For Nintendo Switch owners who love a good bargain on physical games, Target stores across the United States have been showing a pattern they might want to pay attention to. Over the past several days, multiple Reddit posts have shown players finding significant markdowns on both Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 games, with some titles reduced to fractions of their retail prices. While Target hasn’t made any official announcement about a mass sale or clearance event, gamers inside stores are spotting discounted racks and clearance sections devoted to Nintendo’s handheld console, leading to waves of glee-filled posts and photos on r/Switch and other subreddits.

The reports suggest that these deals aren’t just limited to budget titles either. Users are sharing screenshots and receipts showing games like Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Brilliant Diamond for a mere $18, which is well below their normal asking price. Users have also shared their experiences at smaller local Target locations with considerable price reductions on plenty of other Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 cartridges as well. While it’s advisable to call local stores before heading out there, there’s a growing sense among players that if you’re willing to check in person, you might just walk out with a sizable haul for far less than you expected.

What Nintendo Switch Owners Are Finding on Target Shelves

Without any official confirmation from Target, any sales on Nintendo Switch games have largely come from the Reddit community. One of the more popular yet comical Reddit posts by plasticdump titled “Finally found the coveted clearance games section at my Target,” actually shows a multitude of Nintendo Switch games on clearance, though the bulk of what is shown in the image are copies of Just Dance. One commenter in the thread said they found the same thing at their Target, while another comment by bobmlord1 mentioned that many of the Nintendo Switch games that are actually on clearance aren’t marked and won’t show the price reduction until they’re scanned.

Who’s That Character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Who’s That Character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

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Another popular Reddit post by user CoffeeAndWork shows an image of Pokemon: Let’s Go, Eevee!, though the title mockingly calls it “Fire Red.” Nevertheless, the game, normally $55, is shown marked down to $16.49. Other posts show games like Pokemon Brilliant Diamond available for $18 and TMNT: The Cowabunga Collection for only $4.70.

A third Reddit post by user cadensky shows what is arguably one of the better Target clearance hauls for Nintendo Switch games, with the majority of them being big-hitters. Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, Pokemon Violet, Pokemon Sword, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening remake, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, and Mortal Kombat 1 are all shown in the image, with the OP saying their total for the entire haul was only $119 with tax.

Why These Nintendo Switch Sales Could Be Happening

Retail game shelves frequently go through rotation, and physical games often see more aggressive discounting as players tend to prefer digital downloads and subscription services these days. In the case of Target, it could be that inventory changes or shelving priorities might simply be making room for new products and pushing older physical stock into clearance racks.

Ultimately, it varies by location and isn’t standardized across all stores. What one gamer finds immensely discounted might be absent entirely at another location. However, the number of reports coming from those who have managed to find these sales has to be more than coincidence at this point—enough to justify a trip to Target if you want to add some new Switch games to your library.

How to Maximize Your Chances of Finding Deals

CALL AHEAD — Some users found calling the electronics section of their Target before visiting helped confirm whether clearance stock was available.
CHECK SMALLER STORES — Reduced inventory in urban or smaller Targets appears to correlate with deeper discount racks.
BE PATIENT AND THOROUGH — Clearance racks aren’t always front-and-center and can be tucked in electronics aisles or near seasonal merchandise.

Whether you’re new to the Switch or simply trying to grow a collection you’ve steadily built over the years, this might be one of those rare windows where shopping for physical Nintendo Switch game cartridges is worth it. It’s not a nationwide, headline-making sale, but for those willing to look, it’s a trend Switch owners won’t want to miss out on.