Nintendo axes the Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle, ending price break on console and game

The Switch 2 Mario Kart World Bundle allowed gamers to save money when the handheld launched. Assuming Mario Kart World had appeal, the option was cheaper than buying the game individually. While Nintendo announced production would end in Fall 2025, a leaked GameStop memo has confirmed its demise.

Nintendo sends the Mario Kart World Bundle to the pits

Nintendeal shared the retailer's internal communication on social media. According to the message, the bundle “has now reached end of lifecycle, and additional units will no longer be produced. Future replenishment of Nintendo Switch 2 will be the base console.”

In April, Nintendo revealed that the Switch 2 Mario Kart World Bundle was a limited-time offer. Even so, some gamers may have forgotten the company’s social media post. For now, the configuration remains fairly easy to find in stock at Amazon, but that may change after the holiday season.

With the original Switch, the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundle has been a permanent fixture. Sadly, it’s not clear what, if anything, will replace the newer SKU. The Pokémon Legends: Z-A bundle was an alternative, but it’s now sold out at most stores.

More possibilities for a new Switch 2 bundle

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is another popular bundle for the first handheld. A Switch 2 edition should arrive on January 15th, if Nintendo elects to go that route. Mario Tennis Fever arrives in February, but no mainline Mario or Zelda games will likely release in the coming months.

Why the Japanese gaming giant decided to stop packaging the popular Switch 2 game with the console is up for debate. It’s possible that the manufacturer has another strategy in mind that doesn’t benefit consumers. At $499.99, buyers receive the kart racer for often $30 less than the $80 MSRP of the physical cartridge. The base version of the handheld without the title costs $449.99.

Already struggling to avoid a Switch 2 price increase, a memory shortage may force Nintendo to make other changes. Fans hope that $499.99 doesn’t become the cost of the system without any included games.

Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.