Buying a used Nintendo Switch: Costs and Considerations

If you’re thinking about buying a Nintendo Switch, it might be worth it to consider purchasing a used one. However, there are many caveats to buying a used console, demanding extra caution on your part. Sometimes, the cost of a used one might not justify the risks, and getting a new device would be better.

In this article, we’ll share information on how much you should expect to pay for a used Nintendo Switch in good condition. You’ll also find out how to inspect a used Switch to ensure it’s in good condition and avoid being ripped off.

And if you are also interested in a PlayStation, here’s a guide to buying a used PS4. 

What should I pay for a Nintendo Switch in good condition?

You should pay about $250 for a Nintendo Switch in good condition, and between $150 and $200 for a Nintendo Switch Lite. These prices may include some games and might be less if the Switch doesn’t come with any games. 

Note: In this article, we’ll focus on the Nintendo Switch, which is more popular, not its younger sibling, the Nintendo Switch Lite.

It’s important to note that the Nintendo Switch holds its value quite well. Therefore, a used console is usually about 50 bucks less than a brand new one. If the difference is so small, why not just buy a brand new one? 

Below, we share the pros and cons of buying a used Switch, so keep reading.

Is it worth buying a used Nintendo Switch?

If you can find a used Nintendo Switch – in good condition – that’s significantly cheaper than a brand new one, then it would be worth buying it. However, just like any other used item, you need to do your due diligence to make sure you’re getting a console that will serve you for the long term.

To help you make a decision, here’s a list of pros and cons of buying a used console and a brand new one.

Pros and cons of buying a used Nintendo Switch

Pros	Cons
1. You might save some cash if you find a Nintendo Switch that’s significantly cheaper than a new one. 2. Some sellers sell bundles that include games, controllers & accessories at an affordable price.	1. It’s difficult to know the history of a used console unless you personally know the seller. 2. There’s more work involved in buying a used console: you’ll have to physically inspect it, haggle to get the best price, etc. 3. Generally, a brand new Nintendo Switch is about $50 more than that of a used one. You may not save that much. 4. There’s a chance of buying a stolen console.

Pros and cons of buying a brand new Nintendo Switch

Pros	Cons
1. You get a warranty when you buy a brand new Nintendo Switch. 2. Nintendo offers support even after the warranty period elapses. 3. Brand new consoles can be used for years before they begin developing problems. 4. You can always sell your device later on if you want to upgrade.	1. The cost of acquiring a brand new Switch maybe too high for some people. 2. Nintendo bundles cost higher.

Buying a new device is always great, as you get to unbox it and get that fresh new smell apart from all the other perks listed above. Although purchasing a used one may mean extra games, controllers, and accessories, you can get for a fraction of the cost.

To help you make the right choice, we researched the cost of used Nintendo Switch consoles on different platforms. Below, we share this information.

What is the Cheapest Nintendo Switch?

The cheapest Nintendo Switch costs $199 on gamemart.com.my. This is a refurbished device that’s bundled with Joy-Cons: a blue and a red one. From our research, this is the best offer you can get on a Nintendo Switch at the time of writing this article. 

According to their website, they offer a 30-day warranty on all purchases. You can return the product within 14 days of receiving it. Learn more on how to return an item you bought online.

Note: We chanced upon Gamemart when researching the best-priced used/refurbished Nintendo Switch. However, this is a relatively new site with no online reviews. We, therefore, can’t confirm their legitimacy. Before making any purchase on Gamemart, please do your due diligence. 

If you’re apprehensive about Gamemart, there are other well-known sites selling used and refurbished Nintendo Switches in good condition. 

Here are some other offers you can check out.

• Gamestop is selling a pre-owned Nintendo Switch for $279.99. Only about $20 cheaper than a brand new one, this offer isn’t the best. However, if you’re short of 20 bucks, then, perhaps, you can consider buying this one and enjoy a 7-day money-back guarantee. Check out the offer here

• The Facebook Marketplace has an offer where you’ll get a Switch, Joy-Cons, a case, and two games for $350. Of course, be vigilant when dealing with sellers on such platforms. Find out more about the things to look out for when buying a used Switch, below.

• If you’re okay with just the console without Joy-Cons, then these offers on eBay might be of interest to you. The console alone costs about $170.   

• BestBuy has refurbished one’s for as low as $269.99 or just buy a brand new one for $299.99. Check out BestBuy’s offers here.

Things to look out for when buying a used Nintendo Switch

EShop account access 

The E-Shop is Nintendo’s online store where owners of the Nintendo consoles can sign-up, buy, and download official games. Before you buy a used Switch, make sure that the previous owner has signed out of their E-Shop account and that you can sign in to your own account.

Sometimes a console might be banned from the E-Shop, meaning you can’t download new games or play any online games. By asking the owner to sign into their account (or signing in to your own) on the console, you can confirm this.

Are there pre-installed games?

If there are any games downloaded, then the previous owner has attached them to their E-Shop account. You won’t be able to play these games on your account. 

If the seller is advertising this as a part of the sale, then request to have the games deleted. In any case, if you do a factory reset of the device, all pre-installed applications will be cleared.

If the games were installed from cartridges, ask whether the seller can let you have them. 

Inspect the hardware

• Most Nintendo Switch users tend to scratch their screens when docking and undocking. If there’s a screen protector installed then the scratches shouldn’t be of much concern as you can always replace this protector. Still, make sure the screen itself (not the protector) doesn’t have any serious scratches. 
• Also, check the display quality: are there any dead pixels? Does the touchscreen work okay?
• Test the ports. Make sure the USB port charges the device okay and check that the HDMI port connects to an external display with no issues. 

Joy-Con condition

This is the part of a Nintendo Switch that experiences the most abuse. A heavily used device generally has issues with the buttons and joysticks. So, you need to make sure that the buttons aren’t hard to press and that they’re responsive.

You can check this by going into settings then calibration. This should help you identify any buttons that aren’t working. 

The joysticks also wear out quickly when overused. Inspect them and make sure they respond to commands. 

Dock durability

If the Nintendo Switch is being sold alongside its dock, make sure the dock is still sturdy and that the ports are working properly. An original Nintendo dock has two standard USB ports, an HDMI port, and a power connector. 

Proof of purchase

If possible, ask the seller to show you the purchase receipt when they first bought the device. With this, you’ll have information on the age of the Switch. More importantly, you’ll be able to verify that it’s not a stolen item. 

It’s always best to buy used items directly from the owner.

With a receipt, you can take advantage of the warranty if it’s still within the period. 

Learn more safety tips on buying a used Nintendo Switch.

Where to buy a used Nintendo Switch

Gamestop

A renowned retailer of gaming products, Gamestop is a reliable place to search for a pre-owned Nintendo Switch. They offer a 7-day money-back guarantee on their products, offering a degree of confidence in them. Check out their offers here.

Amazon

A monolith of a retailer, Amazon has just about everything, including used and refurbished Nintendo Switch consoles. Here are some of their offers.

eBay

eBay’s huge portfolio includes hundreds of used Nintendo products. Just be vigilant when purchasing items here to avoid falling prey to scammers. To mitigate this, make sure the Nintendo Switch you’re considering buying is eligible for eBay’s money-back guarantee. You can find this out by checking the returns policy section of the listing.

Sheepbuy

An upcoming online marketplace, Sheepbuy’s listings are growing by the day. So, if you’re looking for a used Nintendo Switch, consider searching here for some offers.

Other places to buy a used Nintendo Switch

• Craigslist
• Facebook Marketplace
• OfferUp
• Swappa

Find out more about whether you should buy used electronics in this article.

Conclusion

The Nintendo Switch’s value doesn’t drop fast, so the difference between a used and brand new one may not be that much. However, if you find one sold for about $200 to $250, you’ll have landed a good deal. 

Before making a purchase, do your due diligence to ensure that the Switch is in good condition. Our tips above should help you out. 

Are you thinking of selling an item? Consider listing it on Sheepbuy. We charge no commission on sales, and if you’re on the basic tier, you can have up to three active listings at a time for free, at no cost whatsoever. Find out more about our packages here.

Recommended Blog Posts:

• How to use Sheepbuy?
• 100 Legitimate ways to make money at home.