Nintendo Ends Switch Game Voucher Savings Program

Nintendo has announced it will discontinue its Switch Game Vouchers program, which currently grants Nintendo Switch Online subscribers access to discounted Switch 1 titles.

Outlined in a detailed FAQ published today, the company confirmed that the Switch Game Vouchers service will end on January 30, 2026 — giving interested users just under six months to make additional purchases.

No official reason was provided for discontinuing the program. However, the decision follows Nintendo’s choice to exclude Switch 2 games from voucher eligibility, alongside the release of its first $80 title, Mario Kart World.

Originally introduced in 2019, Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers let subscribers buy two Nintendo Switch games for a fixed price within a 12-month period. In the UK, this bundle costs £84 — averaging £42 per game.

This translates to roughly £8 in savings per title compared to the standard £50 retail price, with even bigger discounts on 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.

Although Nintendo hasn't extended voucher support to Switch 2 titles, players have discovered that vouchers can still be used to buy original Switch 1 versions of games that offer paid upgrades to their Switch 2 editions — such as Zelda: Breath of the Wild — creating a more affordable path to access newer versions.

For instance, Switch 2 owners can currently buy a pair of Switch Game Vouchers and redeem them to play cross-generational titles like Metroid Prime: Beyond or the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Z-A, due in October. Z-A is priced at £50 for the Switch 1 edition, or £60 for the Switch 2 Edition. By using a voucher, players save £8 on the Switch 1 version before paying a £10 upgrade fee to unlock the Switch 2 Edition.

As always, Switch Game Vouchers must be redeemed within 12 months of purchase. Nintendo has confirmed that new Switch titles will continue to be added to the voucher catalog throughout 2026.

Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa recently indicated the company is exploring shorter game development cycles for certain projects to help control costs and prevent significant price increases.