Some Nintendo Switch games you need to play are $20 off

If you’re a newcomer to the Nintendo Switch, or perhaps buying for someone who needs a boost to their game library, it’s always wise to buy the console’s best games when they go on sale, as is rarely the case. Best Buy lists several games that I consider must-play experiences for $20 off – in both physical and digital formats. Other retailers, such as Amazon and Walmart, are also respecting the price cuts. Better yet, there is a range of games included in this sale, suitable for those who want a shooter, a turn-based strategy game or a good old 3D Mario platformer.

Super Mario Odyssey is an inviting and delightful take on the traditional 3D Mario game, with Mario getting a throwable cap that allows him to vastly expand his movement set and possess objects to progress through levels. If you are tired of open world games with many goals, it can be refreshing to play this where your only goal is to jump, climb and collect shiny things.

Super Mario Odyssey

The keystone Mario title for the Nintendo Switch, Super Mario Odyssey, does not disappoint. The latest installment in the Mario franchise brings a lot of fun, new mechanics and a lot of charm. Read our review†

Fire Emblem: Three Houses is the turn-based tactical title I mentioned earlier. The game essentially has two parts: one that feels like a twist on a Persona game, where you build relationships with your students turned warriors, and the other part where you face enemies in interesting battles that never exceed their welcome.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Fire Emblem: Three Houses is a remarkably deep, turn-based strategy game. The turn-based combat has never been sharper and the characters and plot are unforgettable. Read our review†

Splatoon 2 is an unusual, unique third-person shooter where you play as squid-like humanoids shooting paint at each other. This game has smart weapons (similar to Ratchet & Clank), and similar to Super Mario Odysseythe story mode offers a simple structure, allowing you to plot your way to the goal (which in the case of this game is a lot of enemies).

Splatoon 2

Splatoon 2 is probably the most colorful shooter you will ever play. The multiplayer-focused game lets players pour over cards with a variety of weaponized drawing tools, ranging from paint rollers to airbrushes. Read our review†

And of course you have to buy The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild† It was released with the Switch, but as my colleague Sam Byford wrote on the game’s fifth anniversary, it set an extremely high bar as an immersive, open-world action game that rival titles struggled to meet. If you’re a Zelda fan, you’ll probably eat this one, but new players should have a great time too.

Amazon is once again selling its third-generation Echo Dot smart speaker for next to nothing, with a few obligations. You can get the charcoal speaker for $1 as long as you’ve never owned an Echo device on your Amazon account and as long as you sign up for a month of the Amazon Music Unlimited service, which costs $7.99 a month for Prime members and $9.99 per month for non-members.

Your total will be $8.98 at checkout if you use Prime or $10.98 for non-Prime members. And, just in case, the streaming service subscription automatically renews every month, so keep that in mind.

Echo Dot (third generation)

This puck-like Echo Dot is the third generation of Amazon’s smart speaker. It offers better sound than its predecessor, a compact design and all the smarts that come with owning an Alexa device.

A set of three Blink wireless outdoor cameras costs $159.99 at Amazon and Best Buy, lower than the usual cost of $249.99 for the bundle. This price drop corresponds to the large discount that occurred in mid-February. These cameras run on AA batteries, and the company claims you can use them for two years before needing to replace them.

The camera system includes a 30-day free trial of Blink’s subscription that allows you to record, view and save clips. After that, it costs $3 per month per camera or $10 per month for unlimited cameras. Alternatively, if you prefer a local storage solution, you can use the Blink Sync Module 2 for $34.99which can store clips and photos from up to 10 Blink cameras.

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