For the vast majority of early adopters, the Nintendo Switch 2 journey began with the platform’s premier pack-in offering: a bundle featuring the high-octane, chaotic racer Mario Kart World. This retail package has long been considered the gold standard for value, providing new owners with the console’s most essential title right out of the box. However, in a surprising strategic pivot, Nintendo is halting production of the Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle, effective immediately.
The first signals of this shift came from GameStop, as the retail giant began prompting customers to snag the remaining units before they disappear for good. These reports corroborate a leaked internal memo from over the weekend, which suggested that future replenishments of Switch 2 inventory would be restricted to the standalone console hardware.
Nintendo has since stepped forward to verify the news. On Monday, the company officially designated the Mario Kart World Switch 2 bundle as a “limited quantity” item, noting that it will only remain available “while supplies last.”
Interestingly, Nintendo had originally indicated that this specific SKU would be phased out by the fall of 2025. Despite those projections, the bundle remained a staple of the retail landscape well past its expected expiration date.
While shoppers may still find boxes on shelves for a short period, the decision to kill off the bundle is notable given its impact on the market. The Switch 2 has shattered sales records largely on the back of this bundle, which has represented a massive percentage of the console’s total sell-through. Furthermore, Nintendo’s history suggests a preference for longevity; even eight years after the original Switch launched, consumers can still readily find versions packaged with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
The reasoning behind this sudden discontinuation likely boils down to economics. Earlier this year, Nintendo’s market valuation took a hit as investors worried about the escalating costs of the Switch 2’s internal components. With hardware margins reportedly thinner than the company would like, removing the “free” software pack-in could be a move to bolster profitability per unit. There is also chatter regarding a shift toward other promotional sets, such as the Pokémon Legends: Z-A bundle, though recent rumors suggest that particular SKU may also be on the chopping block. Ultimately, if the hardware is selling well enough on its own, Nintendo may feel it no longer needs to subsidize sales with a pack-in game.
If you have been procrastinating on your Switch 2 purchase, the window to secure this high-value bundle is closing rapidly. Between the production halt and the impending holiday rush, the remaining stock is likely to vanish from the market sooner rather than later.
Source: Polygon
