When it comes to portable gaming, you can’t get any more powerful or any more convenient than the Nintendo Switch. Since its worldwide release back in 2017, the Nintendo Switch has become a staple for gamers around the world. Thanks to its incredible portability and modern features, the Nintendo Switch is a must-have for casual and hardcore gamers alike.
If you find yourself stuck in quarantine at home with nothing to do, picking up your very own Nintendo Switch could be a great way to unwind and de-stress, and better cope with everything that’s going on with the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Expensive PC Gaming may be the standard for hardcore players around the world, and while consoles like the Xbox and the PS4 both have their ups and downs, the Nintendo Switch offers an unbeatable blend of price, performance, and portability. Take your gaming sessions with you wherever you go – even if it is just inside your home.
In this buyer’s guide, we’ll be walking you through how to get your hands on the Nintendo Switch, one of the latest and greatest gaming technologies to come out in recent years, as well as where to buy games for your Switch right here in Singapore.
Where to Buy Nintendo Switch in Singapore?
The Nintendo Switch is currently available in three models, or “flavors”. There’s the original Nintendo Switch (now known as the Classic), the Nintendo Switch V2, and the Nintendo Switch Lite.
There are plenty of stores in Singapore that stock the official Nintendo Switch, its variants, and its peripherals, but with the ongoing pandemic, it may not be the safest option to go to your nearest retailers. For a safer, more convenient option, you can buy the Nintendo Switch from trusted online sellers.
Nintendo Switch Classic
Although the Nintendo Switch Classic is the original model that came out in 2017, it’s actually being discontinued to be replaced by the V2. While the Nintendo Switch Classic was, and still is, a great portable console, Nintendo addressed many gamer’s concerns and released the new Nintendo Switch V2 for the same retail price as the original.
Unless you’re a collector, or looking to save some money by buying a Classic model second-hand, we recommend getting the Nintendo Switch V2 instead.
Nintendo Switch V2
Check price on Shopee SG
Released in 2019, the Nintendo Switch V2 was a simple but substantial upgrade over the original. Featuring a much more efficient processor, the Nintendo Switch V2 boasts significantly better battery life over the Classic. Nintendo claims that the new V2 can keep you gaming for up to 9 hours (depending on the game), compared to the original’s 6.5-hour maximum.
Apart from the better CPU and improved battery life, the Nintendo Switch V2 delivers the same great gaming experience as the original. It can play every single game available on the Nintendo Switch, and comes with the same three-mode features that let you use it as a home console in TV Mode, or as portable gaming system in Tabletop Mode and Handheld Mode.
Image from Shopee SG
You can get the Nintendo Switch V2 on Shopee SG from a number of trusted sellers. Show your support for Singapore businesses by purchasing products with the Support Local tag, and keep an eye out for the best deals, good local warranties, and freebies that you can only get from local sellers.
Image from Qoo10 SG
Alternatively, you can save even more by taking advantage of the very low prices of Nintendo Switch on Qoo10 SG. Local stocks in Singapore offer great, competitive prices on the Nintendo Switch V2. Or, you can take advantage of Qoo10’s discount opportunities and get your Switch shipped internationally to save even more.
Nintendo Switch Lite
Check price on Shopee SG
The Nintendo Switch Lite is the latest model to come out of the console line, having been released in September 2019. Unlike the V2 that made a few changes to the battery life and CPU, the Nintendo Switch Lite is a complete redesign of the console, intended for maximum portability at more budget-friendly specs.
Although it’s a little smaller than the originals, the Nintendo Switch Lite is more than just a “mini” Switch. It sacrifices versatility for portability. It trades in flexibility for ruggedness. You can’t plug it into your TV, it’s controllers aren’t detachable, and it’s got a smaller screen than the original. But, it’s lighter, more compact, more rugged in design, and easier on the budget.
If you want a console that you can take with you on-the-go, anywhere you go and without worry, then the Nintendo Switch Lite might just be what you’re looking for.
Check price on Qoo10 SG
You can get the Nintendo Switch Lite from a number of local and international sellers online at Shopee SG or Qoo10 SG. Check out our recommended picks for the Nintendo Switch Lite that gets you a great price and a reliable, convenient warranty.
Where to Buy Nintendo Switch Games
Once you’ve picked the best Nintendo Switch for you and your budget, it’s time to find some games for your new console! There are over 2000 titles and counting available for the Nintendo Switch, and regardless of whether you have the Classic, the V2, or the Lite, you have the option of buying game cartridges or downloading digital copies of your favorite games.
Check price on Nintendo Game Store
Nintendo Game Store
It’s fast, it’s secure, it’s convenient and, since COVID-19 can’t spread over the internet, it’s one of the safest options out there right now if you want to get games for your Nintendo Switch. No shipping, no boxes, no waiting times involved – just head on over to the Nintendo Game Store, browse the full catalog of Nintendo Switch titles, download the game you want, and play. It’s that simple.
Online Retailers
If you’re a fan of having physical copies of your games to decorate your shelves with, then you can also buy games for your Nintendo Switch from online retailers. The Nintendo Switch can take game cartridges that are smaller and more data-reliable than typical CDs. Physical copies typically cost the same as a digital download, but there’s nothing like the experience of opening up a game box and popping in your favorite cartridge for a much-needed gaming session on the Nintendo Switch.
Great Nintendo Switch Games on Shopee and Qoo10
There are hundreds of Nintendo Switch games you can buy from online stores like Shopee and Qoo10. Here are some of the more popular titles that you can buy online right now, right in the comfort of your own home.
Check price on Shopee SG
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – From S$73.90 on Shopee SG
The Legend of Zelda franchise is one of the longest-running gaming franchises in history, and is one of Nintendo’s greatest contributions to the gaming industry. In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, players once again take on the role of Link as they go on yet another spectacular adventure to save the Kingdom of Hyrule. Designed with the Nintendo Switch in mind, Breath of the Wild is a great way to see everything that your Nintendo Switch is capable of, and how far the franchise has come since the original game launched over 30 years ago.
Super Mario Odyssey – From $68.44 on Shopee SG
Another Nintendo original, Super Mario Odyssey builds vastly upon the original, world-famous Super Mario formula, but this time with beautiful, 3D environments, an all-new original soundtrack, and dozens of modern touches that bring the masterpiece to a modern audience. Plus, you can partner up with a friend thanks to the game’s Two Player Co-op Mode.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons – From S$100 on Qoo10 SG
If you play games to relax and unwind, then it doesn’t get much better than Animal Crossing. One of the newest titles (released 2020) available on the Nintendo Switch, Animal Crossing lets players enjoy a bright, colorful world where they can catch fish, make friends, build their own virtual home, and more.
Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield– From S$75 on Shopee SG
Whether you’re a long-time fan of the Pokemon franchise, or a newcomer wondering what all they hype is about, the latest duo of Pokemon RPGs has something for everyone. In Pokemon Sword/Shield, players can once again enter the world of Pokemon where they set-off on an adventure to catch them all, this time with an all-new story, hundreds of colorful characters, and 400 different species of Pokemon to find.
The Witcher 3: Complete Edition – From $68.70 on Shopee SG
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt from CD Projekt Red is a masterpiece. It’s story-telling, game design, and art and environment helped make it 2015’s Game of the Year, and arguably one of the best games of the decade. The Complete Edition for the Nintendo Switch includes both the Heart of Stone and Blood and Wine expansions, for the definitive The Witcher 3 experience.
How do I use my Nintendo Switch in Singapore?
In Singapore, you can use your Nintendo Switch in a variety of ways. You can buy games both digitally and physically at a variety of stores.
You can also use the device to play multiplayer games with friends and family, either through social media or through local gaming stores. You also have access to a range of streaming services from Netflix (though we don’t recommend it), Hulu, and other services.
Moreover, the Nintendo Switch Online service offers access to online gaming with other players from around the world, as well as access to online chat rooms and forums for discussing games with other users.
Finally, the Switch is a very versatile platform with the ability to connect to a range of other peripherals for greater control and use.
Can Singapore use Nintendo eShop?
Unfortunately, Singapore is one of the countries without a Nintendo eShop. Nintendo eShop is an online shop from which users can purchase and download digital games, digital videos and other content.
It is available in many countries and regions across the world, but not in Singapore. The games available for purchase and download in the eShop come from many different genres, and the shop even hosts independent developers and small companies who have created their own digital games that can be purchased and downloaded.
To use, Singapore users must choose the preferred region as America for the eShop, do also select a state where there is not sales tax. There is also a section in the eShop offering free digital content.
Nintendo Switch in Singapore
That’s it for our guide on where to buy the Nintendo Switch in Singapore. Which model will you be getting? What games do you have your sights on? Leave a reply and let us know what you think about the Nintendo Switch, or show some love for your favorite titles!