Nintendo is ending its Switch Game Voucher program, a discount offering for Nintendo Switch Online members to purchase first-generation Switch titles.
In a detailed FAQ published today, the company announced the vouchers will be discontinued starting January 30, 2026, giving subscribers roughly six months to make final purchases.
No official reason was provided for winding down the scheme. The decision follows Nintendo's move to exclude Switch 2 software from voucher redemptions and the launch of its first $80 title, Mario Kart World.
First introduced in 2019, the Switch Game Vouchers let users buy two eligible Switch games within a year for a fixed price. In the UK, that bundle costs £84, bringing the average per-game price down to £42.
This typically saves buyers £8 per title compared to the standard £50 retail price—and even more on select £60 games like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
Although vouchers cannot be used for native Switch 2 games, players have found a workaround. They can redeem vouchers for the original Switch 1 versions of titles that offer a paid Switch 2 upgrade—such as Zelda: Breath of the Wild—providing a cheaper path to the enhanced edition.
For instance, Switch 2 owners can currently purchase a pair of vouchers and use them for cross-generation games like Metroid Prime: Beyond or the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Z-A, launching in October. Z-A is priced at £50 for the Switch 1 edition and £60 for the Switch 2 Edition. Using a voucher saves £8 on the Switch 1 version, after which players can pay a £10 upgrade fee to access the Switch 2 Edition.
As always, Switch Game Vouchers must be redeemed within 12 months of purchase. Nintendo has stated that additional Switch titles will continue to be added to the voucher catalog throughout 2026.
Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa recently indicated the company is exploring shorter development cycles for some projects to help control costs and avoid excessive game pricing.
