Is the Nintendo Switch 2 worth it this Black Friday and Cyber Monday? You might want to get this discounted gaming handheld instead

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The Switch 2 may be one of the hottest items of the year, but it's not really being discounted for Black Friday — and another handheld might be the better choice for you.

Image of the Nintendo Switch 2 and Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS).
I know which of these handhelds I'd choose, but the answer may be different for you. (Image credit: Windows Central)

One of the fastest-selling consoles of all time is the Nintendo Switch 2, so it's no wonder so many people are keeping their eyes peeled for rare discounts on Black Friday. At least so far, though, that hasn't been the case — the Nintendo Switch 2 is still $449.99 at BestBuy.com, and it's not much different anywhere else.

That doesn't mean the Switch 2 isn't worth buying (it still is, if that's what you want), but it's also worth considering a different gaming handheld that may serve your needs more. The Lenovo Legion Go S running SteamOS is discounted to the same $449.99 at BestBuy.com, and that handheld will play a huge variety of PC games that the Switch 2 simply can't.

Nintendo Switch 2
Still a Great Choice ✅
Nintendo Switch 2: $449.99 at Best Buy

The long-awaited Switch 2 may not be discounted for Black Friday, but that doesn't make it any less tempting. A huge library of exclusive Nintendo games backed by healthy third-party support makes the Switch 2 one of the best family and casual gaming consoles ever, and even at full price it's a safe buy for a lot of people.

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Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS)
The Best Alternative 👀
Save 31% ($200)
Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS): was $649.99 now $449.99 at Best Buy

If you don't care about the latest Nintendo exclusives and you simply want access to as many games as possible when you're on the go, the Legion Go S is a potent option. Running SteamOS, it has access to countless games the Switch 2 can never play, and its hardware feels more premium overall. Oh, and it's actually on sale for Black Friday (for the same price as the Switch 2).

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I would never judge anyone for buying a Nintendo Switch 2 right now, even if it's not discounted for Black Friday. I've been tempted myself (I want to play Pokémon Legends: Z-A at its best), after all.

If we're being extra honest, getting a Nintendo Switch 2 for $449.99 at BestBuy.com really isn't a bad price, although it's not technically a deal. You can throw in Mario Kart World as a bundle for $499.99 at BestBuy.com, too, and a lot of people have already done that without hesitation.

The Switch 2 is one of the hottest releases of 2025, and thousands of people are probably hoping for one under their Christmas tree at the end of the year, but that doesn't mean it's the best gaming handheld for everyone — especially not when there's money to be saved.

The Lenovo Legion Go S is an amazing handheld, but it can be a difficult sell at full price. This Black Friday discount takes care of that problem. (Image credit: Rebecca Spear / Windows Central)

If you're not committed to Nintendo, you absolutely have other handheld gaming options for Black Friday. We've already compiled the best gaming handheld deals for Black Friday, and even highlighted the best retro gaming deals for Black Friday (perfect for those who love to emulate older Nintendo games).

The cream of the crop, though, has to be the Lenovo Legion Go S for just $449.99 at BestBuy.com, a $200 discount that makes it the same price as the Switch 2. The Legion Go S runs SteamOS, a PC-centric operating system designed with gaming in mind. What does that mean for you?

Access to an endless library of PC titles on Steam, all optimized for the Legion Go S. That's a lot of games the Switch 2 can't run, and the Legion Go S can be opened up even further. Dock it, hook up a mouse and keyboard, install Windows, do whatever you want — the Legion Go S can probably accommodate you.

If you're thinking the Legion Go S sounds a lot like the Steam Deck, it basically is a Steam Deck, but with a larger and sharper display, and more powerful internals. Even if you need even more power, you can spend an extra $200 and get the highest-end Lenovo Legion Go S for $649.99 at BestBuy.com, which is also a pretty great deal.

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FAQ

Is the Nintendo Switch 2 worth buying on Black Friday?

If you're a bargain hunter who won't pull the trigger unless there's a tasty sale in your crosshairs, the Switch 2 probably won't be a tempting target on Black Friday. It's a great console that a lot of people will end up buying regardless, but the Switch 2 isn't being hit with any noteworthy Black Friday discounts to sway those still on the fence.

Is the Lenovo Legion Go S better than the Nintendo Switch 2?

It depends on your needs. The Nintendo Switch 2 is an accessible, versatile, and family-friendly handheld console supercharged by the wide library of exclusive Nintendo franchises (like Mario, Zelda, and Pokémon). On the other hand, the Lenovo Legion Go S is more powerful and capable, with access to the practically endless Steam library of AAA, AA, and indie games (many of which the Switch 2 will never see). The Legion Go S is also more accommodating of hardcore gamers who have to tinker with everything, while the Switch 2 is more locked in for casual users.

What is SteamOS?

SteamOS is the custom operating system for the Steam Deck and some variants of the Lenovo Legion Go S. It's ultimately Steam, the world's largest PC gaming storefront, but optimized for handheld gaming. SteamOS is built on Linux, making it more flexible and powerful than console-specific interfaces — and users can install Windows and other operating systems on their handhelds if they wish.

When is Black Friday 2025?

Black Friday landed on Friday, November 28 in 2025, though its related discounts weren't restricted to the official day itself. Black Friday as an event started earlier in the week across multiple retailers, and continues to apply across the weekend.

What day is Cyber Monday 2025?

Cyber Monday starts on Monday, December 1, 2025, but, as with Black Friday, it has already begun appearing as the theme for deals at certain retailers. While its discounts are generally restricted to the day itself, some deals may extend into Tuesday and beyond.

When does Cyber Monday start on Amazon?

Cyber Monday has already started on Amazon US, with its promotional messaging shifting away from Black Friday in the early hours of Saturday morning, on November 29, 2025, and is expected to last until the end of Monday, December 1, 2025.

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Zachary Boddy
Zachary Boddy
Staff Writer

Zachary Boddy (They / Them) is a Staff Writer for Windows Central, primarily focused on covering the latest news in tech and gaming, the best Xbox and PC games, and the most interesting Windows and Xbox hardware. They have been gaming and writing for most of their life starting with the original Xbox, and started out as a freelancer for Windows Central and its sister sites in 2019. Now a full-fledged Staff Writer, Zachary has expanded from only writing about all things Minecraft to covering practically everything on which Windows Central is an expert, especially when it comes to Microsoft.

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