The cost of living crisis lumbers on, and so does the parallel cost of gaming crisis. 2026 has been a rough year for this hobby, with price hikes across all major platforms. PS5 is now AU$250 more expensive than it was at launch. In September, Nintendo Switch 2 will rise from AU$699.95 to AU$769.95.
Traditionally, being patient meant you could buy consoles cheaper. We now live in a new reality, with AI data centres inhaling RAM and storage like kaizo Kirby. If you already own any of these consoles, you probably feel lucky. If you don’t? Too bad: things aren’t improving any time soon.
At least, that’s the conventional logic. This current deal on Nintendo Switch 2 defies it, though: Amazon is currently selling the standalone console for AU$624, down from AU$699.95, and AU$145 cheaper than it’ll be come September.
I’m super tempted by this, mainly because I really want to play the forthcoming Ocarina of Time remake. I also probably need to replace my launch day Nintendo Switch, which is surprisingly still going strong albeit despite the very many scratches on the screen, and so many Joy-Con replacements that I’ve lost track.
That’s probably the first must play game on the console for me, though Nintendo has been doling out new software at an admirable rate. The Star Fox remake hit last month, and despite middling reviews, I still want to play Metroid Prime 4.
Looking for more gaming bargains? Amazon Prime Day is currently on in Australia.
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