Splatoon Raiders physical preorder discount closes ahead of Switch 2 launch
Walmart is honouring a $10 discount on the physical cartridge, while Amazon lists the game at full price, highlighting the fluid nature of Switch 2 pricing strategies.
The window to secure a discounted physical pre-order of Splatoon Raiders for the Nintendo Switch 2 is closing ahead of the game’s scheduled release on 23 July. The Switch 2-exclusive title, which features single-player campaigns and co-op multiplayer for up to four players, has seen divergent pricing strategies emerge among major retailers in the final days before launch.
Walmart is currently honouring a $10 discount on the physical cartridge, pricing it at $39.99. This stands in contrast to the standard digital version and standard cartridge pre-orders, which are priced at $49.99. The discount represents a significant saving for consumers prioritising physical media, though the offer is time-sensitive as the launch date approaches.
Conversely, Amazon is currently listing the physical version at $59.99, effectively charging full price. While Amazon previously honoured the preorder discount, it has since reverted to the higher price point. The retailer’s price-tracking system ensures customers pay the lowest price offered between the time of pre-order and the release date, meaning the discount could potentially be reinstated before 23 July.
The pricing discrepancy reflects the broader uncertainty surrounding Nintendo’s Switch 2 pricing policy. In March, Nintendo announced that certain digital Switch 2 games would be priced $10 cheaper than their physical counterparts. However, previous releases such as Yoshi and the Mysterious Book and Star Fox experienced lengthy pre-order phases where both digital and physical editions were sold at the same price, suggesting that physical discounts are not guaranteed across all titles.
As the launch date nears, consumers must weigh the immediate availability of the discount at Walmart against the potential for Amazon to lower its price again. For those committed to physical copies, the current offer at Walmart provides the most certain savings, while Amazon buyers may need to monitor price fluctuations until the game officially hits shelves.
