Dealmaster —

Today’s best deals: Nintendo Switch bundle, microSD cards, and more

Dealmaster also has deals on AirPods, streaming sticks, and tons of video games.

Today’s best deals: Nintendo Switch bundle, microSD cards, and more
Ars Technica

Folks, it's time for another Dealmaster. For today's deal roundup, we're spotlighting a new Nintendo Switch bundle from Walmart that packages the base version of the mega-popular game console with a 12-month subscription to Nintendo's Switch Online service and an official carrying case at no extra cost. That comes out to roughly $40 in extras bundled into the Switch's normal going rate of $299.

It's true that the bigger, bolder display on the new Switch OLED has made the standard model look a bit dated by comparison—even if the two are equal in terms of performance—and Switch Online isn't quite as essential to enjoying the Switch as similar services from Microsoft (Xbox Live Gold) and Sony (PlayStation Plus) are for their respective machines.

However, if you're just jumping on the Switch bandwagon and don't want to drop an extra $50 for the still-hard-to-find Switch OLED's upgraded display, this is as good a deal as we can find for the console as of this writing. (Presuming you don't want the handheld-only Switch Lite.) Switch Online isn't necessary, but it's still required to use the online modes of games like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and it gives access to a handful of classic NES and SNES games worth rediscovering. (A collection of N64 and Sega Genesis games are available in a pricier "Expansion Pack" tier that's not included in this deal, but those are something of a mess at the moment.) A carrying case is generally a must for traveling with the Switch, too. While we'd definitely like to see Nintendo offer more attractive deals for the nearly five-year-old console, there's at least some value here for last-minute shoppers looking for a device that remains in high demand.

Today's Dealmaster also has a number of deals on well-reviewed video games. In particular, PC gaming storefront Humble is running a sale that discounts a number of games we like, including near-lows on former Ars game-of-the-year winners Celeste and Control as well as the Ars-approved RPG Loop Hero. A few more acclaimed indies from this year, such as Death's DoorChicory, and The Forgotten City, are discounted as well. And if you don't play on PC, we're still seeing Black Friday prices on several other games of note from this year, including Monster Hunter Rise, It Takes Two, and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart.

We also have the lowest prices we've tracked on the popular civilization-building board game 7 Wonders, a reliable Samsung microSD card, and noise-canceling headphones we like from Sony and Jabra. Our full list of handpicked deals is below.

Ars Technica may earn compensation for sales from links on this post through affiliate programs.

The base model Nintendo Switch.
Enlarge / The base model Nintendo Switch.
Mark Walton

Featured deals of the day

Top to bottom: Apple's second-gen AirPods, third-gen AirPods, and AirPods Pro.
Enlarge / Top to bottom: Apple's second-gen AirPods, third-gen AirPods, and AirPods Pro.
Jeff Dunn

Electronics deals

Sony's WH-1000XM4 noise-canceling headphones.
Enlarge / Sony's WH-1000XM4 noise-canceling headphones.
Jeff Dunn
Jabra's Elite 75t is a well-rounded pair of true wireless earphones.
Enlarge / Jabra's Elite 75t is a well-rounded pair of true wireless earphones.
Jeff Dunn
The Garmin Lily is a relatively basic but stylish smartwatch we like.
Enlarge / The Garmin Lily is a relatively basic but stylish smartwatch we like.
Corey Gaskin / Ars Technica

Video game deals

The hardcore 2D platformer <em>Celeste</em> topped our <a href="https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/12/ars-technicas-best-games-of-2018/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">best games of 2018</a> list.
Enlarge / The hardcore 2D platformer Celeste topped our best games of 2018 list.
The endless RPG <em>Loop Hero</em> is one of our favorite games of 2021.
Enlarge / The endless RPG Loop Hero is one of our favorite games of 2021.
The large-scale adventure game <em>Monster Hunter Rise </em>is one of the year's best Switch games.
Enlarge / The large-scale adventure game Monster Hunter Rise is one of the year's best Switch games.
Capcom
<em>Ratchet &amp; Clank: Rift Apart</em> is a familiar but fun shooter-platformer for the PS5.
Enlarge / Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a familiar but fun shooter-platformer for the PS5.
The well-reviewed action-adventure game <em>Lost Judgment</em>.
Enlarge / The well-reviewed action-adventure game Lost Judgment.
<em>Persona 5 Royal</em> is an enhanced version of the acclaimed JRPG with new characters and additional content.
Enlarge / Persona 5 Royal is an enhanced version of the acclaimed JRPG with new characters and additional content.
Atlus
The adventure game <em>Marvel's Spider-Man</em>.
Enlarge / The adventure game Marvel's Spider-Man.

Gaming deals

The Razer Huntsman Mini is a worthy choice for those looking for an ultracompact gaming keyboard.
Enlarge / The Razer Huntsman Mini is a worthy choice for those looking for an ultracompact gaming keyboard.
Razer

Laptop and desktop PC deals

The Mac Mini's small footprint lives up to its name.
Enlarge / The Mac Mini's small footprint lives up to its name.
Samuel Axon

Smart home device deals

The Amazon Echo Show 5 smart display.
Enlarge / The Amazon Echo Show 5 smart display.
Amazon

Accessories and miscellaneous deals

The first-generation (left) and second-generation (right) Apple Pencils. The base iPad and older iPad Airs and Pros <a href="https://apple.sjv.io/c/1305166/435031/7613?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fshop%2Fproduct%2FMK0C2AM%2FA%2Fapple-pencil-1st-generation&amp;subid1=dealmaster120721" target="_blank" rel="noopener">work with</a> the first-gen model.
Enlarge / The first-generation (left) and second-generation (right) Apple Pencils. The base iPad and older iPad Airs and Pros work with the first-gen model.
Samuel Axon

Channel Ars Technica