Nintendo Switch + Mariokart 8 Deluxe Special Edition Bundle : Target $299

Looking to buy this for my kid, but don't have any experience with the Switch. is the Nintendo Digital subscription useful/necessary?

Hi all!
Can you sell the Mario Kart code? I already have it on digital, and I'm buying a switch for the kids for xmas. (and upgrading to a family subscription, so they would have access to it)
Thanks!

Comparing the Switch to the Wii U is so faulty. One device sold under 15 million units in it's lifetime and the other device has sold over 115 million units and continues to sell and be relevant. The ability to play games anywhere was the difference and the reason many games got polished, upgraded and ported over.

Mario kart 8 Deluxe was improved from the Wii U version with all the DLC tracks included, a superior battle mode, an easy mode for kids of all ages where they aren't falling off the tracks . . . And is currently in the process of getting 48 more tracks added via DLC (which is free if you are a Nintendo Switch Online expansion pass member). This is not the same game from the Wii U.

Mario games hold their value much better than "PlayStation classics". Another bad comparison.

I agree that as a Day 1 Switch owner, I'm ready for Switch 2, which probably would of been the OLED but COVID caused a major processor shortage and marketing a new console and trying to supply it at that time, when you couldn't even keep the current one in stock and they were being scalped heavy last Xmas, would of been silly . . . Not to mention the new system would of been scalped to death and impossible to get at MSRP.

This bundle is a nice easy Xmas bundle that does the job and offers some savings in a nice package. Not everybody wants to clean up a used system and wrap it with paper to hand to their kids.

Typically in December we see a gift card deal with the Switch, but the Mario Kart bundle is usually sold out by then.

You missed the point entirely.

I am well aware that Switch replace both 3DS and Wii U, both of which did badly. People who can't resist buying old tech Nintendo can get away with their sale strategy. Nintendo is not above have to discount their console. That's the point.

Mario Kart 8, Hyrule, Mario 3D World, BOTW, Bayonetta 1,2... for all the added new feature, the engine is the same. New track, items, character can only go that far to prolong the game life. Those don't give you entire fresh new dimensional experience like when you go from Mario DS to Mario 7 on 3DS. If you think, there is no need for Mario Kart 9, then it's your opinion. There has always been a host of fans who dying for the new Mario 9.

The newer gen Mario game hold better value is false. Majority of 3DS, Wii U games are dirt cheap because Nintendo decided to save development cost by porting many of the games from this gen to Switch! They try and succeed in recover their failure during 3DS Wii U gen. However, in the bigger picture, they sacrificed the old 'Mario game hold better value' of the pre 3DS going with remake, remaster, deluxe route, combining game library. The more older games ported and improved on Switch, the less reason to keep Wii U, and its games.

Going this route, Final fantasy remake success shows that Nintendo is walking on a thin line of squeeze penny out of young kids parents using their more kid friendly history, but ignoring the older fan who by now is more desperate for some new. People don't really prefer the older Nintendo Mario better than older PlayStation, Xbox classic games. It's more about Nintendo enjoy young kid demography, and the privilege of pre online store & early online store era. By taking their online store down, which gives more value to Wii physical games. DS game enjoy stable value. But not anymore especially newer gen!!

Their cash cow franchise like Pokémon RPG is doing badly on release, with how little improvement in the (already repeated) storyline, and more frequency of new release. The alarm is ringing. Mobile game on tablet, cheap stream box, cut into the market. Used Switch console, and games price is alarmingly cheap on OfferUp at the same age comparing to previous gens. The lack of new idea/ signature Nintendo games may mean a migration when Xbox, and PlayStation console become more available to purchase. Paying $500 for PS5 or Xbox series X is much more future proof than Switch bundle, or OLED at around $300+.

I am talking about teenage, and older gamer here. Nintendo still do better with young kids market, which is why I am not advising any parents to buy Xbox PS5 for their young kids. I only advise them to explore used console because it's much more economical for old tech which is Switch,

I think the biggest misconception people like you have is thinking Nintendo only serves the purpose of the "young kids market".

The Switch is an RPG powerhouse first off, many of which are T/M rated. The ability to pick up and go, and then drop, without having to really think of much else is a big reason why the Switch is so popular. That same audience typically grew up on Nintendo and are more familiar with the many IP Nintendo has and introduce their kids to these IP.

You seem to continuously leave that point of it out . . . the entire portable part that a kid can be playing in his room, mom calls him to come into the family area and he just takes his portable Switch and puts it in the living dock and continues playing the game. Portability is a big reason why you can't put major tech into the Switch without significantly raising the costs. Steam Deck starts at $400, is significantly less portable with worse battery life/screen, doesn't come with removable controllers, dock . . . and needs some tech savvy to really amplify the experience.

And despite some of the technical issues the new Pokemon game is having, its just sold over 10 million copies in 3 days, breaking the Nintendo record for game units sold in a 3 day weekend. Yea the "old dusty cash cow franchise" is doing badly like you said.

Your idea of being thrifty and using OfferUp and marketplace and all that stuff is fine for you, but most people don't go that route for many reasons. Using that as a barometer for value is incorrect.

The lack of imagination stuff sounds like incorrect fanboy drivel. Especially when you are talking about the company that has basically innovated everything you see in gaming and sacrifices powers for innovation, whether that's portability, VR attempts with Virtual Boy and Labo, hybrid gaming, dual screens, printing, motion controls, Wii U tablet and more. Everybody else just adds upgraded processing components and internals . . . Nintendo actual attempts to innovate the experience . . . and doing that leads to failing sometimes but they get back up. That's innovation and they are copied by the rest, throughout history.

Game wise, please tell me the games that are innovating out there? Bringing new ideas to the table. Just do 2022 for example. Started with a vast world Pokemon Arceus, then jumped to a Souls type in Elden Ring, followed by a 3d Kirby with new mechanics and from there its really been a quiet year up until recently when u get the yearly releases from sports titles and COD, and then we finally got GOW from Sony and then S&V from Nintendo. Companies are relying on these "cash cow" franchises to continue delivering new content because game development takes much longer these days.

Nintendo has a trusted amount of IP in the stable and them continue to using it while only occasionally developing a new IP is not a sign of a lack of innovation. They still push out more first party game than any of the other developers, although I am looking forward to all of the additions Microsoft added and how their production and games end up being in the upcoming years.

I have all 3 systems and a gaming PC (I didn't like the Steam Deck because it wasn't a good portable to me, I much rather grab my Switch and just continue playing PC games on my rig or invest in a gaming laptop). I do favor my Nintendo Switch over the rest but I'm in my 30s with no kids and many nieces/nephews/god kids. Easily the system that gets the most use for family time, couples time, traveling and when I have people over for the holidays. I keep the PS5 for sports games and Sony first party (Playstation Plus classics) and my Xbox is a Gamepass machine that covers other stuff.

I think the biggest misconception people like you have is thinking Nintendo only serves the purpose of the "young kids market".

Does anyone know if this is the V1 or V2 model of the switch? I know last year and prior years Wario64 said the bundle came with the V1 switch.

Just a reminder that this is not the OLED version.

I'm trying to buy a Switch for my son, what is the difference between the OLED?