Summary
The price of games is not getting any cheaper. With increased costs and standards for what AAA games can produce, and thescope of games constantly growing, the baseline price for what a game can set someone back is steadily rising. This is why snagging a deal on a title can be so enticing.
However, not all games are discounted equally, andit can be a rare occurrence for games — especially Nintendo Switch games — to go on sale. For those looking to keep their eyes out on a particular bargain, maybe one that will coincide with the announcement ofthe Switch’s successor, here are somegames that almost never go on sale.
The HD remaster ofSkyward Sword, with itsintuitive use of gyro controlsand vibrant, updated graphics, is one of the most sought after titles both for long-time, veteran fans ofThe Legend of Zeldaseries, and newer fans who were drawn in from titles such asTears of the Kingdom.
It’s difficult to say why, specifically, this title does not go on sale often. 3 years is not terribly old in a game’s lifespan, and considering it’s already been on sale twice, this might be a game that sees reliable discounts in its future.
This from-the-ground-up remake ofRed & Blue Rescue Teamhas brought storybook charm and a well-realized third dimension to the first of the much beloved Pokemon spinoffs. This title reignited a love for the roguelikes of the DS era, and stayed true to the “human-turned-Pokemon” trope that defined the rest of the series.
This title, with a plethora of unique features likepowerful recruitable Pokemonand compelling roguelike gameplay, has rarely gone on sale, only twice since its release in early 2020, making it only an occasional sale title that typically coincides with eStore’s celebration of other Pokemon titles.
Another example of a revitalized title that rarely sees a sale price, this remade version of the DS cult classic containsextra post-game contentand a revamp of the classic bold graphics that contributed to the title’s enduring reputation. The game’s cult status may have something to do with the lack of discounts for this title, as Square Enix has put some of their more widely played games, likeOctopath Traveller,on sale more often.
Interestingly, this title’s sequel,NEO: The World Ends With You,goes on sale far more regularly, frequently dropping to as low as 50% off.
This artfully rendered 2.5D wonder from Square Enix has one of the most compelling narratives among any title on the Switch. The fusion of deep tactical gameplay,the confrontational difficulty, and stellar graphics make this an essential title for any strategy fans with a Switch.
However, fans hoping to grabTriangle Strategyon the eStore during a sale might have to keep hoping. Since its release in 2021,Triangle Strategyhas only gone on sale once, in late 2022, just over a year after its launch. WhileTriangle Strategywas undeniably a success, it may suffer a similar fate toTWEWY, where the more popular series in Square Enix’s umbrella are the ones that go on sale more often.
Animal Crossing: New Horizonshad a long and successful lifespan as a breakaway hit even by the standards of the already popular series. The low-stakes, easy-to-learn system for managing an isle has installed this game as one of the all-time classics amongcozy, slower-paced gamesfor players looking to relax.
Despite (or perhaps owing to) its incredible popularity, this title has only gone on sale once, in late 2023. It might be the case that, with the first discount being only a year ago, the game might begin going on sale more regularly as it continues to age.
This somewhat bizarre combination of Pokemon and the ultra-dynamic, fluid combat ofTekkencreated a highly compelling and incredibly technical fighter in the form ofPokken Tournament.The game’s mechanical depth, graphical fidelity, andTekken-flavored charm has made it something of a mainstay among fighting game enthusiasts, though it has become decidedly more obscure in recent years, and begun to fade into history.
In six years of availability on the eStore,Pokken Tournamenthas only gone on sale once. Beyond that, even as the popularity of the title has declined, the game has kept its steep AAA price tag the entire time.
