Believe it or not, the first signs of the holiday shopping season are already upon us. To that end, like clockwork, Nintendo has brought back its annual Black Friday bundle, which it has released every year for what seems like the entire history of mankind. But this time, there is a novel edition! You can now buy the Nintendo Switch: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundle for $299.99 (see at Best Buy) or the version with Switch OLED display for $349.99 (see at Best Buy). For those keeping track, the OLED package is novel for Black Friday 2024. Let’s dive into the details.
Where to buy Nintendo Switch: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundles
Nintendo Switch OLED: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Pack
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Includes a Switch OLED console, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (digital) game, and a 12-month individual Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
Nintendo Switch: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Pack
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Includes a Switch console, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (digital version), and a 12-month Nintendo Switch Online individual membership.
Switch OLED Package
Standard Switch Pack
These bundles offer a discount of $79.98 compared to buying all the items separately at the regular price, making it a great deal for anyone looking for a Switch.
What’s in the Switch kits?
- Nintendo Switch or Switch OLED model
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (digital code)
- 12-Month Nintendo Switch Online Individual Membership
Buy either bundle and you’ll receive a Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch OLED console. You’ll also receive a digital download code for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which, despite its age (the original version came out on Wii U in 2014), remains one of the best racing games ever made, in my opinion.
Finally, you get a year of Nintendo Switch Online membership (that’s better than last year’s bundle, which only had a 3-month subscription). That lets you play a library of classic digital NES, SNES, and Game Boy games, plus play Switch games online, and gets other perks like cloud saves.
What is the difference between a standard switch and an OLED switch?
The only difference between the bundles is the Switch model that comes with it. If you’re wondering which one to choose, a quick and simple tip is: If you plan on playing games in portable mode a lot, go with the OLED. If not, go with the standard Switch.
The OLED model is better in a number of ways, but they all relate to portable gaming. At 7 inches, it has a larger display than the standard model’s 6.2-inch screen. The OLED display is noticeably brighter and offers much richer colors than the standard model. It also has true blacks, with no backlight showing through. And the OLED model’s kickstand is much sturdier.
What about Nintendo Switch 2?
If you’re hesitant to buy a Switch amid rumors of Nintendo’s next console, you have reason to be. It’s possible the Switch’s successor will be backward compatible, allowing you to play all of the original Switch games. Nintendo has hinted that the Switch 2 won’t launch until April 2025, though.
So if you want to play Nintendo games before then, you’re going to need a Switch. And these bundles are the best deals you’re likely to find on the current-gen hardware.
Chris Reed is IGN’s trading editor and trading expert. He also leads IGN’s board game and LEGO coverage. You can follow him on Threads.
