According to the reliable leaker billbil-kun from Dealabs, Nintendo is preparing to release a new Switch OLED bundle featuring last year’s Game of the Year contender, Super Mario Bros. Wonder. The reported bundle, set to hit European markets, will include a standard white Nintendo Switch OLED model, a digital download code for Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and a 3-month subscription to Nintendo Switch Online. Priced at €349 (approximately $388), the package is expected to launch before mid-October, potentially around late September or early October.
But while many are taking this as a sign that the Nintendo Switch 2 isn’t going to be revealed anytime soon, it is, a matter of fact, a potential confirmation that Nintendo is clearing up its current inventory for its next console.
The company still has ambitious sales targets for its current hardware, aiming to sell 13 million Switch consoles before the end of the fiscal year. This bundle is part of its way of achieving that goal, which is particularly crucial with the Japanese economy in the tank, forcing competitors like Sony to hike the prices of the PlayStation 5 and possibly, even the PlayStation 5 Pro.
With the holiday shopping season approaching, Nintendo is positioning itself to capitalize on both new adopters and those looking to upgrade to the OLED model. While the leak primarily focuses on European release details, there are indications that a new hardware bundle is also in the works for North America.
Historical precedent suggests that Nintendo has employed similar strategies in the past. During the transition from the Wii U to the Switch, Nintendo released several bundles for the outgoing console even after the Switch had been announced. This included packages featuring popular titles like Xenoblade Chronicles X, Splatoon, and Super Mario Maker.
Thus, this puts potential buyers on the spot. Do you buy the new Nintendo Switch OLED bundle, especially if it isn’t a limited-edition console? Or do you wait for news of the Nintendo Switch 2? On one hand, the package offers good value, especially for those who haven’t yet experienced the improved screen of the OLED model or are excited about Super Mario Bros. Wonder. On the other hand, with rumors of the Switch 2 potentially launching as early as March or April 2025, holding off for the next-generation hardware isn’t the worst idea.
Besides, if the reports about the backwards compatibility of the Switch 2 prove to be accurate, it could ease concerns about investing in the current generation, knowing that games purchased now will still be playable on the future console.
It is interesting to note that Nintendo uncharacteristically dropped all major news in late August and early September via a Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase and the occasional Twitter news drop instead of making a big fuss out of it.
Perhaps Nintendo has something big planned over the next few weeks as Sony has dominated headlines with controversial projects, GOTY contenders, and the impending PlayStation 5 Pro announcement.
Unfortunately, for now, all we have are speculations, leaks, and rumors.
Speaking of Mario, if you own a PlayStation 5 if you’re thinking of picking one up in the next few weeks, you might want to check out Astro Bot, this year’s leading Game of the Year candidate and PlayStation’s newest mascot.
