Most Affordable Gaming Console: Switch 1 Costs $230
The Nintendo Switch 1 is the lowest-priced new console cited in BGR’s comparison, at $230 in 2026. But the purchase price does not tell the full story…
BGR says the Nintendo Switch 1 is the most affordable gaming console among new systems in its 2026 comparison, with a listed price of $230 in the United States. The lower upfront cost comes with trade-offs: the outlet notes that game prices, online membership and storage can push spending beyond the console itself.
That matters for shoppers weighing a cheaper entry point against the cost of playing over time. BGR describes the Switch 1 as a last-generation system, while the newer Nintendo Switch 2 costs $500 without a bundle.
The comparison is based on BGR’s reporting published on October 19, 2026. It considers console prices alongside games, online services, accessories and storage rather than treating the initial purchase as the whole bill.
Why the Switch 1 price does not tell the whole story
BGR says Nintendo’s first-party games are not often discounted, meaning buyers are likely to pay full price. The outlet also points to software upgrades that may cost extra, unlike many upgrades on Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro.
Nintendo Switch Online costs around $20 per year for an individual membership, according to BGR. The source says players can instead pay separately for some meaningful upgrades, which cost around $5 to $20 per game. Those charges are not necessarily large on their own, but repeated purchases can raise the overall cost.
The newer Switch 2 costs $500 without a bundle, BGR reports. The Xbox Series S 512 GB edition is priced similarly, though the outlet describes that model as digital-only and says Microsoft likely encourages Game Pass for a more complete experience.
For a buyer focused on the cheapest new system, BGR says the Switch 1 remains the less expensive option at $230. The distinction is straightforward: lower entry price, older hardware.
Subscriptions and storage shape the total bill
BGR says Sony and Microsoft charge for online services, while Nintendo’s $20-a-year membership may look less expensive. But the value can depend on what players use: Sony and Microsoft subscriptions provide access to modern AAA games in their catalogs, and BGR says using those libraries can save $60 to $80 per game.
Nintendo’s membership includes a library of retro games, but BGR says it does not include titles from the current-generation console. The source also notes that Nintendo does not include a premium controller, while describing the consoles from Microsoft and Sony as offering controllers of similar quality.
Storage is another cost to consider. The Switch 2 has 512GB of internal storage and uses microSD Express expansion, BGR reports. Its 256GB licensed storage option costs $60. The outlet says buying cartridges, rather than Game-Key Cards, is the only realistic alternative for conserving internal memory.
Xbox Series S and X models range from 512GB to 2TB, with the 2TB option available only for Xbox Series X, according to BGR. PlayStation 5 models offer a similar storage range. Both Xbox and PlayStation 5 systems can expand storage with an external hard drive or an SSD, which BGR describes as much more expensive.
That makes the headline price relevant but incomplete. A buyer who mainly wants a low-cost new console may favor the Switch 1; someone planning to buy several games, expand storage or rely on subscription libraries will need to compare those ongoing costs as well.
Used retro systems offer another route
BGR says used retro consoles can be affordable outside the collector market. A regular-edition Nintendo GameCube is around $100 used, while the Japanese-only Panasonic Q GameCube costs well over a grand, with the core console listed at $1,654.
A pre-owned PlayStation 2 on eBay can cost anywhere from just under $100 to a bit over $200, depending on condition and what comes with it, BGR reports. Games can complicate the calculation: retro systems need working discs or cartridges, and the outlet says some titles are harder to find than the consoles themselves.
BGR gives Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness as an example of a game that can cost more than the console. For shoppers comparing the lowest upfront prices, the Switch 1 is listed at $230; used hardware may cost less, but the game supply and condition become part of the purchase.
Source: bgr.com
