The conventional wisdom is that used game prices always drop - more copies flood the market, demand fades, prices fall. For the Nintendo Switch, the reality is more nuanced. Some titles have held near-launch prices for years. Others have cratered. Here's what determines which path a game takes.
Most used Nintendo Switch games follow a predictable pattern: launch near 80% of retail price, decline gradually over 1-2 years to 60-70% of retail, then stabilize at a floor that reflects the permanent collector/casual demand.
The speed of that decline depends on three factors: how many copies were sold (supply), how much active demand remains (demand), and whether Nintendo keeps the game in print or lets it go out of print (scarcity).
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe launched in 2017 and still trades at 70-75% of its original $60 retail price in private sales. The reasons: it's bundled with new Switch consoles (creating perpetual demand from unbundled buyers), no successor has been announced, and it's a permanent party game staple.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate shows similar durability - it's the definitive version of the series with no successor announced, and the fighter roster makes it a permanent reference title for competitive play.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons dropped dramatically from its pandemic-era peak. Supply exploded after the 2020 shortage resolved, and demand normalized as the pandemic social gaming moment passed. It went from $60-70 used in 2020 to $35-38 today.
Pokemon Sword/Shield (not in our current catalog) dropped faster than most Pokemon titles because Scarlet/Violet effectively replaced them as the "current" entry in the series.
For sellers: Sell before a sequel is announced, not after. The day Nintendo announces the next Mario Kart, MK8D prices will drop 15-20% overnight on eBay. Local markets move slower - you may have a week or two to sell at pre-announcement prices if you act quickly.
For buyers: Popular titles that have been out 2+ years are usually at or near their price floor. Animal Crossing at $36 is unlikely to fall to $20. If you want it, buy it - waiting for a lower price on established floor titles isn't a winning strategy.
Know the market before you buy or sell. CartridgeBond prices reflect real Milwaukee market rates.
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