Nintendo Ends Switch Game Vouchers: No More Savings on Switch 1 and 2 Games

Nintendo is set to discontinue its Switch Game Vouchers program effective January 30, 2026. This initiative, launched in 2019, has allowed Nintendo Switch Online members to purchase two eligible Switch games at a discounted rate within a 12-month period. In the UK, the bundled price is £84, translating to an average of £42 per title—typically saving users £8 per game compared to the standard £50 RRP. The savings are even greater on select titles priced at £60, such as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

While Nintendo has not provided an official reason for ending the program, the decision aligns with its recent move to exclude Switch 2 titles from voucher redemptions. This change comes shortly after the release of Nintendo’s first $80 game, Mario Kart World, signaling a shift in the company’s pricing and distribution strategy.

Despite the upcoming discontinuation, subscribers have until January 30, 2026, to purchase additional vouchers. Each voucher must still be redeemed within 12 months of purchase, and Nintendo has confirmed that new titles will continue to be added to the Game Voucher catalog throughout 2025 and into 2026.

Notably, the program remains a cost-effective option for players transitioning to the Switch 2. Users can apply vouchers to purchase Switch 1 versions of cross-generational titles—such as Metroid Prime: Beyond or the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Z-A (launching October 2025)—and then pay a separate upgrade fee (e.g., £10) to access the enhanced Switch 2 Edition. For example, buying Pokémon Legends: Z-A via voucher saves £8 on the base £50 Switch 1 version, making the total cost for the Switch 2 upgrade significantly lower than purchasing the new edition outright.

In related news, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has indicated the company is exploring shorter development cycles for select titles to manage production costs and help keep future game prices more accessible.