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

Nintendo has announced the discontinuation of its Switch Game Vouchers program, a benefit currently available to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers that allows the purchase of select Switch games at a discounted rate. According to an updated FAQ published by the company, the program will officially end on January 30, 2026—giving users approximately six months to take advantage of the offer before it’s phased out.

The Switch Game Voucher system, launched in 2019, grants subscribers the ability to buy two eligible Nintendo Switch games within a 12-month window at a fixed price. In the UK, this price is set at £84, averaging £42 per game. This represents a saving of £8 per title compared to the standard £50 RRP, and even greater value when applied to select games 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 confirmed that Switch Game Vouchers will not apply to games released for the upcoming Switch 2, users have discovered a workaround: purchasing the original Switch 1 versions of cross-generational titles using vouchers and then paying a separate upgrade fee to access the Switch 2 version. For example, highly anticipated titles like Pokémon Legends: Z-A—priced at £50 for Switch 1 and £60 for the Switch 2 Edition—can be acquired more affordably by redeeming a voucher for the base version and paying just £10 to upgrade.

Similarly, games like Metroid Prime: Beyond can be obtained this way, offering a cost-effective path for early Switch 2 adopters. However, this option remains temporary, as the voucher program itself will expire in early 2026.

Nintendo has not provided a specific reason for ending the program, though the decision aligns with its broader shift in strategy, including the introduction of higher-priced games such as Mario Kart World, which launched at $80. Despite the upcoming discontinuation, the company confirmed that new titles will continue to be added to the Game Voucher catalogue throughout 2025 and into 2026.

It’s important to note that all Switch Game Vouchers must be redeemed within 12 months of purchase. This deadline remains unchanged, emphasizing the need for users to plan their purchases accordingly before the program sunsets.

In related news, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa recently revealed that the company is exploring shorter development cycles for select titles to help manage production costs and potentially curb the trend of rising game prices. This shift may influence future pricing models and digital offerings across the Nintendo ecosystem.