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Save $20 Or More On Mario RPGs For Nintendo Switch This Week

Save $20 Or More On Mario RPGs For Nintendo Switch This Week

If you’re looking to fill the gaps in your collection of Nintendo Switch exclusives, you should check out the assortment of game deals at Walmart, Amazon, and Best Buy this week. Each retailer is offering discounts on several Super Mario games, including traditional platformers, role-playing games, and arcade sports titles. A handful of Nintendo Switch games outside of the Super Mario umbrella, including Zelda: Link’s Awakening and Emio – The Smiling Man, are featured in the sales, too.

Multiple games on the list below can be purchased for lower prices if you opt for an international edition from the UK or other regions. The Switch and Switch 2 are region-free consoles, so the only tangible difference a lot of the time is the ratings board logo on the cover. The one key thing to keep in mind is that DLC from the eShop must match the game’s region, so if you bought a UK edition of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, you’d need to use the UK eShop if you wanted the Fighters Pass.


Video Game Deals: Nintendo Switch Exclusives


Super Mario RPG
Super Mario RPG

Turn-based RPG fans can save at least $20 on the Switch remakes of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door and Super Mario RPG. The Thousand-Year Door is a beautiful and thoroughly faithful enhanced version of the 2003 GameCube classic. Amazon and Walmart are sold out of the $40 deal, but Best Buy still has copies for $40.


Many Mario fans view The Thousand-Year Door as the pinnacle of Mario role-playing games. Its main competition for the crown is Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, the 1996 SNES classic that was remade for Nintendo Switch in 2023. This is one of those deals that’s even better if you don’t mind picking up an international edition. The imported edition of Super Mario RPG is $36.50 at Amazon, whereas the US release is $40 at Amazon and Walmart. North American edition for $40, while the imported edition is $36.50.

Just like Mario RPG, an international copy of Mario & Luigi: Brothership is $36.50 at Amazon, and the US edition is $40 at Best Buy. Brothership has some rather unfortunate performance issues on original Switch hardware. If you own a Switch 2, however, the game runs noticeably smoother despite not receiving an official Switch 2 update. The roughly 40-hour adventure has some pacing issues and clunky design choices, but it’s still an enjoyable game. For transparency, I stopped playing it at launch due to the performance issues, but I liked it quite a bit when I gave it another try on Switch 2.

Best Buy is the only retailer with deals on Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition – Deluxe Set, Zelda: Link’s Awakening, and Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club. The Deluxe Set of Nintendo World Championships is bundled with a replica NES cartridge, a collection of art cards featuring cover art from the 8-bit era, and a set of enamel pins with pixel art.


For more Nintendo collectibles, check out our roundup on the discounted Legend of Zelda and Street Fighter 6 Amiibo figures. All seven figures that launched the same day as the Switch 2 console are on sale for $20.


On the Mario side of Amiibo, fans can get the Koopa Troopa and Goomba figures directly from Amazon for $16 each. Nintendo recently raised the MSRP of pre-Switch 2 Amiibo to $20, so you’re saving 20% on each. These figures launched way back in 2017 a few weeks before Super Mario Odyssey hit stores. Prior to this year, Amazon had been sold out of both figures since 2018.

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Kirby Air Riders –

Kirby Air Riders –

Kirby and friends are speeding down the trackKirby Air Riders is a racing game for the Nintendo Switch 2 that brings back the gameplay style of Kirby Air Ride, originally released on the GameCube. Players control Kirby and other characters from the Kirby series as they ride unique machines through various tracks.The game includes three main modes: Air Ride…
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Pokémon Legends Z-A Reveals Another New Mega Pokémon

Pokémon Legends Z-A Reveals Another New Mega Pokémon

Pokémon has just announced an all new Mega Pokémon species set to debut in the upcoming Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 game Pokémon Legends Z-A.

In a video debuted today, fans got a first look at Mega Victreebell, a more bulbous version of the pitcher plant Pokémon.

This new spooky trailer sees the game’s heroes investigate a sweet smell in a creepy building after dark. After various jump scares (Espurr! A Clefairy doll!) we finally see the new Mega species.

Mega Victreebell.

“The volume of this Pokémon’s acid has increased due to Mega Evolution, filling its mouth,” reads an official blurb for the creature. “If it’s not careful, the acid will overflow and spill out.” Delightful.

Pokémon Legends Z-A features a long-awaited return to the Kalos region, home to the series’ popular Mega Evolution mechanic. A previous trailer announced Mega Dragonite, the franchise’s first new Mega Pokémon in over a decade.

While not confirmed, Legends Z-A expected to feature several dozen new Mega Pokémon designs, as well as familiar Mega Pokémon such as Mega Kangaskhan, Mega Absol, and Mega Charizard X.

As for Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s story, it involves the seemingly-spontaneous Mega Evolution of local wild Pokémon, dubbed Rogue Mega Pokémon. You’ll need to utilise your own Mega Pokémon to take them down, and you can also bring in help from one of your allies to battle alongside you.

“Overall, Legends: Z-A didn’t feel like a full action game to me,” IGN wrote in our first hands-on impressions of Pokémon Legends Z-A’s battle systems, “but kind of more like an MMO, with its casting times, cooldowns, and behind-the-scenes math happening. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but I do hope Legends: Z-A gets challenging enough to make me more intentionally dish out commands and think about switching Pokémon at just the right moment.”

Pokémon Legends Z-A arrives for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 on October 16.

Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

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Save Up to $60 Off the Nintendo Switch 2 Console by Getting a Genuine Import Model From AliExpress

Save Up to $60 Off the Nintendo Switch 2 Console by Getting a Genuine Import Model From AliExpress

If you still haven’t yet picked up a Nintendo Switch 2, here’s a rare opportunity to get one at a discounted price. In fact, this may be the only Switch 2 deal we’ll this year. AliExpress is offering a Nintendo Switch 2 console for just $404.28 (normally $450) after you apply a $100 off coupon code “AEUS100” or “USAFF100” during checkout. Alternatively you can get the Switch 2 Mario Kart World Bundle for just $436.49 (normally $500) after the same coupon. Both consoles ship free locally from the United States and arrives within 1 to 2 weeks, however you will still have to pay local sales tax.

The catch? Although these are genuine Switch consoles, they are Hong Kong imports. They are region unlocked, meaning you can play them in the US without any problems. You’ll also be able to select English as your default language. They’ll come with a Hong Kong style plug, but a US adapter is included. Imported consoles do not get a US-based Nintendo warranty. Fortunately, Aliexpress offers a generous 90-day free return window for both consoles.

Nintendo Switch 2 Is on Sale at AliExpress

Brand new, genuine, imported, region unlocked units

Import Model

Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World Console Bundle

The Switch 2 console was released on June 5. It is backwards compatible with nearly all Switch 2 games as well as the original Joy-Cons and Switch Pro controller, although the new Switch 2 controllers offer more functionality. In his Nintendo Switch 2 review, Tom Marks sums up the Switch 2 as “a vital but unexciting upgrade to a console I already love.”

Two major Switch 2 video games have been released: Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza. Logan Plant reviewed Mario Kart World and wrote that “Mario Kart World may not make the most convincing case that going open-world was the boost the series needed, but excellent multiplayer racing, incredible polish, and the thrilling new Knockout Tour mode still more than live up to its legacy.” Mario Kart World currently sells for $79 if purchased separately, so it makes a lot of sense to buy it as a combo with the console for only about $23 more ($57 in savings), even if it means going through the workaround process mentioned above.

Donkey Kong Bananza is the Only 10/10 Masterpiece of 2025

Nintendo Switch 2

Donkey Kong Bananza

Not only did we rate Donkey Kong a 10/10, it’s the only game we’ve given a Masterpiece rating so far this year. In his Donkey Kong Bananza review, Logan Plant writes that The leader of the bunch is finally back to kick some tail in Donkey Kong Bananza, a brilliant successor to Super Mario Odyssey and a smashing return for a classic Nintendo character. Granted there isn’t too much competition in the way of Switch exclusive games for 2025, this has been a fantastic year so far for console gaming in general. We’ve seen some of the best games released in recent history, including Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, Death Stranding 2, and Doom: The Dark Ages, all of which got close to a Masterpiece rating but didn’t quite hit the mark. That’s not to say that Donkey Kong Bananza is necessarily better than those other games since, after all, different people have reviewed each of these games, but it’s a testament to just how outstanding Donkey Kong Bananza is on its own merits to have achieved that score.

Kirby Air Riders Is Out on November 20

Kirby Air Riders is up for preorder with a November 20 release date

Following the last Nintendo Direct on August 19, Kirby Air Riders for the Switch 2 went up for preorder on the Nintendo eShop for $69.99, or $10 less than the Mario racing sim. Sora Ltd. and Bandai Namco, the same team behind Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS, as well as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, has teamed up to make this game, setting expectations high. Besides the obvious graphical improvements, gameplay changes, and track additions compared to the original Kirby Air Ride way back in 2003 for the Gamecube, other updates include an expanded roster that includes Kirby, Meta Knight, King Dedede, Chef Kawasaki, and Bandana Waddle Dee, more abilities, and more copy moves.

Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn’t hunting for deals for other people at work, he’s hunting for deals for himself during his free time.

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The Best Power Bank Deal for Nintendo Switch: This $11 Power Bank Will Double Your Play Time

The Best Power Bank Deal for Nintendo Switch: This $11 Power Bank Will Double Your Play Time

If you’re looking for an affordable power bank that will fast charge your brand new Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck, or Apple iPhone 16, then you should absolutely be checking out this deal. Amazon is currently offering the Iniu 10,000mAh Power Bank with up to 45W of Power Delivery and a USB Type-C cable lanyard for just $11.21 after you clip the 49% off coupon on the product page (or alternatively apply coupon code “JN4ETV7Q“). Iniu power banks have solid reviews and are less expensive than Anker models.

Iniu 10,000mAh 45W Power Bank for $11.21

Clip the 45% Off Coupon

Iniu 10,000mAh 45W Power Bank with Detachable USB Type-C Cable

$29.99 save 63%

$11.21 at Amazon

This Iniu power bank holds a 10,000mAh, or 37Whr battery capacity. If you factor in 80% power efficiency, here are the approximate number of times you can fully recharge each gaming handheld:

  • Nintendo Switch (16Whr) about 1.9 times
  • Steam Deck (40Whr) about 0.74 times
  • Apple iPhone 16 (14Whr) about 2.1 times
  • Apple iPhone 16 Plus (18Whr) about 1.6 times
  • Nintendo Switch 2 (20Whr) about 1.5 times

The Iniu power bank has three output ports: one built-in 45W USB Type-C cable, one 45W USB Type-C port, and one USB Type-A port. The 45W of Power Delivery is enough to charge the Nintendo Switch (18W) and Steam Deck (40W) at their fastest rate. This power bank is also a solid choice for charging your Apple iPhone 16, since ChargerLAB has shown that the maximum charging rate caps at about 30W, even for the Pro Max model.

The built-in cable is a popular feature on newer and generally pricier power banks because you no longer have to bring along your own USB Type-C cable. In this case both ends of the cable are detachable. This is arguably more useful than a built-in cable where one end is permanently attached to the power bank, because it can be used with other devices.

For more options, check out our favorite portable power banks for traveling.

Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn’t hunting for deals for other people at work, he’s hunting for deals for himself during his free time.

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The Best Deals Today: Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, Raidou Remastered, and More

The Best Deals Today: Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, Raidou Remastered, and More

We’ve rounded up the best deals for Saturday, August 16, below, so don’t miss out on these limited-time offers.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker for $27.99

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker – Nintendo Switch

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is an amazing game that ranks among my favorite Nintendo Switch games. This adorable puzzle game challenges your brain, as each stage can be rotated around. Captain Toad cannot jump, so it’s up to you to guide him to find gems, coins, and stars. The Nintendo Switch release packed in a few new levels based on a few Kingdoms found in Super Mario Odyssey, too.

Silent Hill 2 for $29.99

Silent Hill 2 – PlayStation 5

Bloober Team’s remake of Silent Hill 2 is on sale at Target this weekend for $29.99. Recreating one of Konami’s most beloved titles was never going to be easy, but the Silent Hill 2 remake delivers an immersive horror experience that preserves almost everything that made the original so great. In our 8/10 review, we said the game “smoothly polishes down the rough edges of the original game’s combat while taking a piece of heavy grit sandpaper to scuff up every rust and mold-covered surface of its nightmarish environments, successfully making them appear far more abrasive and menacing to explore.”

Attack on Titan Final Season Steelbook up for Pre-Order

Attack on Titan – Final Season Complete – Blu-ray – Steelbook

A brand-new Attack on Titan Steelbook is up for pre-order, and this is one you won’t want to miss. This Steelbook contains Part 1 and Part 2 of Attack on Titan Final Season, in addition to the two Attack on Titan Final Season The Final Chapters specials. The front of the Steelbook features the Final Season Part 1 key art, while the back features Part 2’s key art. If you haven’t picked up any of the Final Season on Blu-ray just yet, this is the ultimate bundle, especially considering the price.

Score Raidou Remastered on Switch for $39.99

Raidou: Remastered – The Mystery of the Soulless Army Launch Edition – Nintendo Switch

Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army launched in mid June, and you can save $10 off a Nintendo Switch copy for the first time this weekend at Amazon. This action RPG is a remaster of the 2006 PS2 game, and there are many improvements and new features to discover. For one, UI, visuals, and voice acting have all been tweaked to refine the experience, but you can also discover more than 120 different demons.

Save 20% Off the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 Collector’s Edition

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 – Collector’s Edition – PlayStation 5

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skayer 3 + 4 was a great blast from the past this Summer, and you can now save 20% off the PS5 Collector’s Edition at Amazon. This edition packs in the full game on a physical disc, all digital deluxe content, which includes the Doom Slayer Skater, and a limited edition full-size Birdhouse Wings Design skateboard deck. Time to hit the park.

Doom: The Dark Ages for $44.99

PlayStation 5

DOOM: The Dark Ages

Doom: The Dark Ages is on a major sale for the first time, and you can save $25 off a PlayStation 5 copy at Best Buy this weekend! This game takes the Doom Slayer back to the medieval ages, acting as a prequel to both Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal. The latest update was just released last week as well, so really, there has never been a better time to hop in.

Persona 5 Royal PC for $19.91

Persona 5 Royal: Standard Edition – PC

Persona 5 Royal is still one of the most popular RPGs to this day, but most deals on the game are often for consoles. However, this weekend, you can score a PC copy of the game for $19.91 at Amazon. This physical edition contains three art cards and a Steam code you can redeem for a copy of the game.

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Story Of Seasons: Grand Bazaar Preorders

Story Of Seasons: Grand Bazaar Preorders

Story of Seasons fans don’t have to wait much longer to return to the Grand Bazaar on Nintendo Switch 2, Switch, or PC. The remake of the 2008 Nintendo DS hit launches August 27 with two physical editions to choose from. Standard and Premium Editions are available to preorder for either Nintendo console, with the Switch 2 versions priced $10 higher than the Switch editions. Like all games published by Marvelous for Switch 2 (so far), Grand Bazaar is a true physical edition with the full game on the card, regardless of whether you buy the $60 standard or $80 Premium Edition.

Revealed during a Nintendo Direct in March, the Grand Bazaar remake has significantly overhauled graphics, a new mode of transportation in the wind glider, new characters and story events, and full voiceovers for the first time in franchise history. Check out both editions below. And if you need a new game to pass the time while you wait, Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma–also published by Marvelous–is on sale for the first time for Nintendo Switch 2 at Amazon.

Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar - Premium Edition
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar – Premium Edition

Story of Seasons was formerly known as Harvest Moon, which is a bit confusing since Harvest Moon games are still released to this day. When Marvelous decided to take over North American distribution responsibility from Natsume many years ago, the name had to be changed due to Natsume holding the rights to the title. So if you’re an old fan of Harvest Moon trying to get back into its relaxing world, Story of Seasons is the name to look for.

More Farming and Life Sims for Nintendo Switch & Switch 2

Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 players have many farming and life-sim games with physical editions to collect, including several other Story of Seasons games, Rune Factory, Harvest Moon, and Hello Kitty Island Adventure. We made lists featuring games from these franchises below. Some of the games are new releases, a few are releasing in the coming months, and others are older titles that are now available for cheap.

Story of Seasons Games

Three Story of Seasons games are available for around $30 each in physical format. It’s also worth noting Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life’s Premium Edition is up for grabs for only $38 at Amazon.


Rune Factory Games

For a more action-oriented farming/life sim, check out Guardians of Azuma, the recently released entry in the Rune Factory franchise. The highly rated Switch 2 and Switch game launched alongside Nintendo’s new console on June 5. Amazon is offering the standard edition on either console for $10 off. Amazon is also one of the only retailers with the Earth Dancer Edition in stock for its $100 MSRP.


Hello Kitty Island Adventure

Hello Kitty Island Adventure - Gift Box
Hello Kitty Island Adventure – Gift Box

The wildly popular Hello Kitty Island Adventure life sim is available in a Deluxe Edition with hundreds of pieces of in-game items and gear for $54 (was $60). A standard edition launches August 29 for $40, and a special $60 Gift Box with trading cards and other collectibles is up for preorder ahead of its November 7 release.

Hello Kitty Island Adventure for Nintendo Switch:


Harvest Moon Games for Nintendo Switch

Two Harvest Moon games, The Lost Valley and Skytree Village, recently released together in a value bundle for $40. You can also preorder the upcoming Harvest Moon: Home Sweet Home Special Edition for $40.


Another great option for fans of life sims is Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time. It didn’t get a physical edition in the US, but Level-5’s long-awaited sequel to the 2012 3DS hit has Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 digital editions.

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What Pants Are Best For Drag X Drive? An Investigation

What Pants Are Best For Drag X Drive? An Investigation

The Joy-Con 2’s mouse controls may lead to some innovative titles on Nintendo Switch 2, including the recently released Drag x Drive. This 3-on-3 wheelchair basketball game relies on the mouse controls for for movement, and the most comfortable way to play is by using your legs as a surface. However, not all pants are created equal, and that’s why GameSpot is sharing our test play results with several different pairs of pants.

In the interest of full disclosure, we did try playing Drag x Drive on bare legs. It’s a smooth experience, but also unnecessarily painful. Perhaps some players won’t mind that sensation. Regardless, we found that the material of the pants is actually very important for both comfort and consistent controls.

The worst performers were ribbed yoga pants, cargo pants, and men’s dress pants. The common denominator among those picks were controller drift and lack of control. Standard dress pants worked well, but they weren’t very comfortable.

Cotton jeans were one of the top performers, as were sweatpants. But for sheer comfort and smooth controls, only two options reached our S tier: velvet pants and a full length skirt. Your wardrobe choices may vary, but the results speak for themselves.

Drag x Drive is available now for Nintendo Switch 2 for only $20.

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Report Examines Claim Nintendo of America Once Suggested Pikachu Should Look Like ‘A Kind of a Tabby Cat With Huge Breasts’

Report Examines Claim Nintendo of America Once Suggested Pikachu Should Look Like ‘A Kind of a Tabby Cat With Huge Breasts’

Fresh light has been shone on an interview that claims Nintendo once suggested Pokémon’s beloved mascot Pikachu should have breasts.

The interview, with The Pokémon Company’s veteran CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara, dates back around 25 years, and is in Japanese — something that has prompted debate over the exact translation of what Ishihara originally said.

Now, however, Japanese site Game*Spark (via Automaton) has examined the original interview in detail to uncover as firm an interpretation as possible — and yes, it really does seem to be what it sounds like.

Firstly, let’s examine what Ishihara says, before further discussing the specific issue over the word “breasts.” For context, Ishihara is discussing an early conversation he had with Nintendo of America employees regarding the localisation of the Pokémon franchise — before it launched in the West and became the global phenomenon it is today.

“When I first showed Pokémon to them, they told me it was too cute,” Ishihara recalled. “The staff at Nintendo of America then suggested their own designs for the characters – I won’t show those illustrations to anyone as long as I live, but they kind of looked like the characters from the Cats musical.

“So, for example, Pikachu was changed into a character shaped like a kind of a tabby cat with huge breasts.”

Taylor Swift in the Cats Musical movie. Image credit: Universal.

As Automaton notes, there is some debate here about the exact Japanese word used to describe “breasts,” which could also mean pronounced masculine pecs. However, there’s added context in what is said next.

When Ishihara is asked whether he means breasts “like those girls who do Pikachu cosplays at anime conventions,” the CEO replies in the affirmative.

“Yes, exactly,” Ishihara states, “they presented that kind of design to us for real. I thought it was interesting, in a sense of appreciating such cultural differences. However, I didn’t want to compete in the [overseas] market with that kind of thing.”

Cosplay Pikachu.

One final wrinkle in the matter is a subsequent anecdote from the late Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, who in 2008 recalled early localisation conversations that featured a westernised Pikachu concept with big muscles, in an attempt to make the mascot “stronger and scarier.”

But, as Game*Spark notes, this could simply refer to an additional concept also being discussed in the same meetings, as Nintendo suggested a range of alterations. And, if anything, it’s yet more proof that Nintendo once had some eye-opening ideas to change the design of some Pokémon for the franchise’s rollout outside of Japan.

Judging by the popularity of Pokémon today, and the failure of Cats’ movie adaptation, that’s probably for the best.

Image credit: Universal.

Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

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Switch 2 Joy-Con MSRP Climbs To $100, But You Can Save $10 At Amazon

Switch 2 Joy-Con MSRP Climbs To $100, But You Can Save $10 At Amazon

Nintendo has officially raised prices on a handful of Nintendo Switch 2 accessories, including pairs of Joy-Con 2 Controllers. Nintendo added five bucks to the MSRP on August 3, which means an extra set of Joy-Con 2 will cost you $100 instead of $95 going forward. Ironically, on the same day the price increases were announced (August 1), Target and Amazon shifted the price five bucks in the opposite direction. At the moment, you can still get a pair of Joy-Con 2 for $90 at both retailers.

Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con (2-Pack) — New MSRP is $100

Joy-Con 2 Controllers
Joy-Con 2 Controllers

Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller — New MSRP is $90

Nintendo also added $5 to the Switch 2 Pro Controller’s MSRP, bumping it from $85 to $90. Amazon sold out of its inventory earlier today (August 3), but select retailers still have it for the old price. Walmart actually has the Pro 2 Controller for $84, but the price could change any minute now.


Joy-Con 2 Controllers & Accessories

Joy-Con 2 Straps, which include wrist straps and a red/blue base for mouse mode, increased from $14 to $15. Amazon, once again, moved the price in the opposite direction, as you can get Joy-Con 2 Straps for $13.

The two main Joy-Con 2 attachments weren’t impacted by the price changes. The Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip with built-in back buttons remains $40, and the Joy-Con 2 Wheel Set for Mario Kart World is still only $25.

Take a closer look at the left and right Joy-Con 2 Controllers and the attachable accessories you can buy separately for docked mode.

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