Guide: Best Cheap Nintendo Switch Games - Switch eShop Deals (US)
Our regularly updated picks of discounted games on Switch
by Gavin Lane
With so many games hitting the Nintendo Switch eShop each week, regular sales have become a welcome fixture on the Switch and there are huge numbers of cheap and discounted games available on the Switch eShop at any given time. With so much choice, though, it can be tough to know where to start and exactly what is worth your hard-earned cash and precious time.
Never fear - Nintendo Life is here to help you sort the wheat from the chaff! Here we will choose our Top 5 cheap Switch games in the Switch eShop sales so you can be sure you're getting a great deal on a great game.
What do we mean by 'best cheap Switch games'? We're thinking anything discounted to around $10 (or under). In addition to the top 5 best cheap Switch games, we'll also highlight any ridiculously cheap eShop games (we're talking Switch games under $1) which may be worth investigating for a few cents, if only for a half hour or so.
We'll update this page with new games and deals as and when they cycle in and out, so keep an eye on it.
So, let's have a look at the five best deals on the Switch eShop!
The Best Cheap Games On The Nintendo Switch eShop
Here's our pick of the top 5 best deals for cheap games on the Switch eShop right now:
SteamWorld Heist: Ultimate Edition (Switch eShop)
Publisher: Image & Form / Developer: Image & Form
Release Date: 28th Dec 2017 (USA) / 28th Dec 2017 (UK/EU)
75% off - was $19.99, now $4.99 until 9th Feb 2020
SteamWorld Heist: Ultimate Edition is a fantastic port of a fantastic game, and it fits perfectly on the Switch. Deep, engaging gameplay and stylish presentation combine to make this one of the standout indie releases of the year; this is a great example of a well put-together title. If you are at all a fan of strategy games, or are just looking for a fun diversion to occupy your time for a couple of weeks, pick this up. It puts a neat twist on standard turn-based strategy gameplay, and stands as another fantastic entry in the SteamWorld series.
Steamworld Dig and Steamworld Dig 2 are also on offer, so now might be the time to plug the gaps in your Steamworld collection, even if you've got one or two already on other platforms. It's nice to have them all together, no?
Sky Rogue (Switch eShop)
Publisher: Fractal Phase / Developer: Fractal Phase
Release Date: 26th Apr 2018 (USA) / 26th Apr 2018 (UK/EU)
50% off - was $19.99, now $9.99 until 7th Feb 2020
While it lacks any storyline and the randomised nature of the missions may strike some as lazy, arcade-style dogfighter Sky Rogue has plenty of gameplay where it counts. The jet combat action is superb, aided by excellent controls, a wide range of weapons and plenty of stuff to unlock. The 12-stage campaign mode will keep you coming back for quite some time – thanks largely to the unique roguelike approach where death means losing everything, but the experience gained means a better chance of success next time around – and the ability to rope in a friend in co-op adds even more longevity. Granted, when you do eventually complete the game there's not a great deal to bring you back, but it will take quite some time and effort to reach that point – and you'll have had such a blast you won't feel short-changed.
One of our hidden gems on Switch, Sky Rogue is well worth investigating.
Death Squared (Switch eShop)
Publisher: SMG Studios / Developer: SMG Studios
Release Date: 13th Jul 2017 (USA) / 13th Jul 2017 (UK/EU)
90% off - was $14.99, now $1.49 until 2nd Feb 2020
While we’ve seen plenty of games that have similar themes and mechanics, the way they’re presented in Death Squared makes for a rare experience. Having a game that is cooperative at its core but imminently playable as a solo experience is a boon, but it must be said its wily charms are exponentially more effective when sitting next to a friend or loved one whilst you giggle at each other’s faux pas. If you want your puzzlers to be thought-provoking with a dash of dry humour, you can’t go wrong with Death Squared.
Killer Queen Black (Switch)
Publisher: Liquid Bit / Developer: Liquid Bit
Release Date: 11th Oct 2019 (USA) / 11th Oct 2019 (UK/EU)
50% off - was $19.99, now $9.99 until 5th Feb 2020
Killer Queen Black does for Nintendo Switch what TowerFall Ascension did for PS4, offering up a 2D multiplayer extravaganza that’s easy to pick up but devilishly tricky to master. The support for local multiplayer (through split Joy-Cons and/or wireless play) really sells this as a crazy couch play experience, while the inclusion of online play and a Spectate mode gives room for a potentially vibrant competitive scene. The learning curve is steep, and it's chaotic to track when playing on anything other than a massive TV, but it’s likely to become a cult mainstay for indie multiplayer aficionados.
Killer Queen Black
Gear.Club Unlimited (Switch)
Publisher: Microids / Developer: Eden Games
Release Date: 21st Nov 2017 (USA) / 1st Dec 2017 (UK/EU)
80% off - was $44.99, now $8.99 until 5th Feb 2020
Gear.Club Unlimited is a highly entertaining racing game that sits firmly at the casual end of the realistic racer spectrum. It can be a thrillingly immediate experience, particularly on the go, where you can blast through one of its sweeping courses in just a minute or so. Switch owners hoping for a Gran Turismo or a Forza won't find something of that calibre here, and what was a commendably rounded console-like racer on mobile seems just a little bit lightweight on Switch, but it's still a fun racing experience.
And with the growing trend of games plummeting to mere cents, here's our sub-$1 pick for a super cheap game that's worth the memory space it takes up on your Switch...
Gear.Club Unlimited
Akane (Switch eShop)
Publisher: QubicGames / Developer: Ludic Studios
Release Date: 17th May 2019 (USA) / 17th May 2019 (UK/EU)
80% off - was 4.99, now $0.99 until 6th Feb 2020
While Akane might not share the intricate levels and levelling up mechanics of Hyper Light Drifter, it balances out its lack of topographical variety with a simple yet challenging set of rolling objectives and an increasingly tough variety of enemies to slay. Death is constant in those first few hours, but persevere and you'll discover a hack 'n' slash survival game that rewards precision, position and quick-thinking. With a brilliant chiptune/synth soundtrack and an art style that wears its influences front and centre, Akane has plenty of charms for those willing to learn to wield its blades – even if it does become slightly samey over time.
Keep an eye on this page as we update it removing old deals and cycling in new bargains. If money's no object, be sure to check out our list of the Best Nintendo Switch games, period. Happy gaming!