Nintendo will discontinue its Switch Game Vouchers program, which currently lets Nintendo Switch Online subscribers purchase Switch 1 games at a reduced price.
In a detailed FAQ posted today, the company confirmed that Switch Game Vouchers will be retired effective January 30, 2026, giving fans six months to use their remaining vouchers.
No official reason has been provided for the program’s end, though this follows Nintendo’s decision to block voucher redemptions for Switch 2 software and the release of its first $80 game, Mario Kart World.
Switch Game Vouchers were launched in 2019 and provide a fixed price for two Nintendo Switch games purchased within a 12-month window. In the UK, this rate is £84—equating to an average of £42 per game.
This typically saves £8 per title compared to the standard £50 RRP, with even greater savings on select titles priced at £60: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Although Nintendo has not extended the program to Switch 2 games, users have discovered they can still redeem vouchers for the original Switch 1 versions of games that offer paid upgrades to Switch 2, such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, providing a more affordable way to access them.
For instance, Switch 2 owners can currently purchase two Switch Game Vouchers and use them to play cross-generational titles like Metroid Prime: Beyond or the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Z-A, launching in October. Z-A costs £50 on Switch 1 or £60 on Switch 2. By redeeming a voucher for the Switch 1 version, users retain the £8 discount and only pay the £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 certain titles to reduce costs and prevent excessive pricing.
