Ultimate Holiday Gaming Deals 2025: Nintendo Switch Games, Cyberpunk 2077, and Smart Home Gadgets at Record Lows

The post-Christmas shopping window is weird, right? Everyone's exhausted from the gift-giving marathon, credit card statements are arriving, and most people are genuinely asking themselves whether they can afford that thing they really want. But here's the thing: this is actually one of the best times to grab deals if you know where to look. The stuff that didn't move on Black Friday gets slashed again. Retailers are desperate to clear inventory before the new year. And honestly, some of the deepest discounts of the entire year happen right now, in late December and early January.

If you're rebuilding your budget after the holidays, or you suddenly realized you forgot someone important on your list, there's legitimately solid savings available across gaming hardware, software, and smart home gadgets. We're talking about significant markdowns on some of the most popular titles and devices of the season. Nintendo's got a bunch of its best games discounted between 25 and 50 percent. Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition is sitting at its lowest price in months. Amazon's smart speakers are hitting historic lows. And if you've been eyeing Air Tags or charging solutions, the deals are actually worth paying attention to.

I spent the last week digging through retailer listings, price tracking sites, and comparing historical pricing data to figure out which deals are legitimately good and which ones are just retailers pretending a discount is better than it actually is. You'd be shocked how many "sales" are just returning prices to their normal levels after a fake markup. But the stuff I'm highlighting here? These are real savings, and many of them are at the lowest prices these products have sold for in the past six months to a year.

Let's break down what's actually worth your money right now.

Nintendo Switch Games: The Deepest Discounts

Nintendo doesn't do sales very often. That's just the reality of being Nintendo. Their first-party games hold value like few other publishers in the industry. So when the House of Mario actually discounts its biggest titles, you should at least know what's available. Right now, Nintendo is running one of its more aggressive post-holiday promotions, with price cuts ranging from 25 to 50 percent off across its entire first-party library according to Creative Bloq.

This matters because Nintendo games rarely go on sale, and when they do, the discounts are modest. A 25 percent discount on a Nintendo game is considered genuinely significant in gaming retail. A 50 percent discount? That's rare enough that it's worth stopping what you're doing and paying attention.

Princess Peach: Showtime at

$41.99 (Down from$

59.99)

Princess Peach: Showtime is legitimately fascinating from a game design perspective. This is the first time Nintendo's given Peach the lead role in a mainline title in nearly two decades. The last time she was the protagonist was back in 2005 with Super Princess Peach on the Nintendo DS, and that game was... let's just say it was a product of its time and move on.

This new version completely changes the formula. Instead of the traditional 2D platforming you'd expect from a Mario game, Peach: Showtime uses a theater setting as its framework. Each world is themed around a different performance style. One level might be a western showdown, another's a noir detective mystery, another's a musical number. The core mechanic is that Peach's outfits literally change her abilities. Wear the detective outfit, and you get puzzle-solving powers. Put on the swordfighter outfit, and you get combat abilities. Switch to the ninja outfit, and suddenly you can climb walls and move silently.

The game design here is clever because it forces you to think about which outfit fits which situation, rather than just having a character who can do everything from the start. It's a pretty elegant way to gate progression without making it feel artificial.

The performance overall is solid but not perfect. The frame rate is stable but not exceptional. The camera sometimes disagrees with where you want it to be, especially in more complex platforming sequences. But none of these issues are deal-breakers, and honestly, most players won't notice them during normal gameplay.

At

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom at

$41.99 (Down from$

59.99)

Zelda games are interesting because they occupy this weird space where they're beloved by everyone, but they also ship with some pretty divisive design decisions. Echoes of Wisdom is the first Zelda game where Link isn't actually the protagonist. Instead, you play as Zelda herself, and Link is technically the one who needs rescuing.

The core mechanic is this Echoes system, where you can create copies of objects and enemies you've encountered. Need to cross a gap? Echo a crate and use it as a stepping stone. Fighting a tough enemy? Echo a bomb and watch the chaos unfold. It's a clever puzzle-solving framework that works remarkably well, especially in the late-game dungeons where you start combining echoes in creative ways.

What surprised me about this game is how much personality it has compared to other Zelda titles. There's actual humor in the dialogue. The world feels lived-in. Side quests have payoffs beyond "collect 50 of item X." It's not a revolutionary Zelda game, but it's definitely one of the more charming ones Nintendo's released recently.

The main criticism is probably the difficulty curve. The early game is almost comically easy, and the game doesn't really ramp up the challenge until you're several hours in. Some players will appreciate the slow burn; others will find it tedious. But by the time you hit the final dungeons, the puzzle complexity is genuinely impressive.

At nearly half off, this is legitimately the best price this game has been, and it released just a few months ago. If you've been waiting for a price drop, this is probably as good as it's going to get for a while.

Super Mario Odyssey at

$39.99 (Down from$

59.99)

Odyssey is the weird one in the Mario lineup because it's a 3D platformer that plays nothing like the other 3D Mario games. Instead of collecting stars or power moons or whatever, the core mechanic is this "Cappy" possession system where you throw your hat at enemies and objects, and Mario can temporarily control them.

This allows for genuinely creative level design. You'll throw your hat at a T-Rex and stomp through a dinosaur-themed kingdom. Possess a bullet bill and navigate through bullet-hell style obstacle courses. Control a giant hand to solve puzzles. The variety here is honestly impressive. Every world introduces new mechanics and new things you can possess, and the game keeps finding ways to surprise you with what you can actually do.

The movement feels floaty compared to more traditional 3D platformers, and some people genuinely hate that. But once you understand the design philosophy, it actually makes sense. You're controlling a guy in a hat throwing his hat around, not a martial arts expert performing parkour. The physics are intentionally designed around that core concept.

Odyssey is older now, released back in 2017, so this price drop reflects that a bit. But it's still one of the best platformers on the Switch, and at $39.99, it's a genuinely worthwhile purchase even if you've already played through it once.

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition at

$39.99 (Down from$

69.99)

This one's important for Switch owners because getting Cyberpunk to run acceptably on a handheld was an actual technical achievement. When it first launched on Switch, people were skeptical it could even work. But developer Saber Interactive made it happen, though it required some significant visual concessions.

The Ultimate Edition includes the base game plus the Phantom Liberty expansion, which is massive. Phantom Liberty is basically a full campaign's worth of content featuring Idris Elba as Solomon Reed, a government agent who pulls you into a complicated political thriller within the game's world. If you loved the base game's storytelling, Phantom Liberty easily doubles your playtime.

On Switch, Cyberpunk runs at 1080p docked, 720p handheld, with 30 FPS targeting. Is it the best version? No, absolutely not. But is it playable and honestly impressive given the hardware? Definitely. The Switch version has more pop-in than console versions, less detailed shadows, and the draw distance is clearly compromised. But the core experience is intact, and the story, characters, and world design are all there.

This price, at

Post-holiday sales offer the deepest discounts on Nintendo games, with reductions up to 45%, compared to regular sales periods with 25% and older releases at 35%. Estimated data.

Amazon Smart Speakers: Hitting Historic Lows

Amazon's been running pretty aggressive promotions on its Alexa ecosystem products, and right now the smart speaker market is in this interesting place where prices are actually getting better rather than worse. That's unusual in tech. Usually once something's been out for a year or two, prices stabilize or increase. But Amazon keeps pushing new models out and dropping prices on older stock to clear inventory.

Amazon Echo Spot at

$44.99 (Down from$

79.99)

The Echo Spot is what you want if you're looking for a bedside smart speaker that actually makes sense. It's got a small 2.5-inch display, which sounds tiny but is actually the perfect size for a bedside clock. You can see the time, temperature, and calendar without needing to pick up your phone or check your actual alarm clock.

The speaker quality is surprisingly decent for the size. It won't win any audiophile awards, but for alarms, podcasts, and casual listening, it's solid. The microphone array is good enough that it picks up voice commands even when music is playing, which is more impressive than it sounds given the compact design.

The display is where this device gets interesting. You can use it to show weather, calendar, shopping lists, or even custom smart home dashboards if you're deep into that ecosystem. For a device that costs less than $50 right now, that's legitimately impressive functionality.

One thing to note: the speaker isn't great for music listening. If you want to use this primarily as a music device, get a different Echo model. But as a bedside companion that handles alarms, time display, and smart home control? This is excellent.

At $44.99, this is the lowest price the Echo Spot has ever sold for, according to price tracking data from the past three years. If you've been considering adding a smart speaker to your bedroom, this is probably as good as it's going to get.

Amazon Echo Show 5 at

$59.99 (Down from$

89.99)

The Echo Show 5 is the middle ground between the Spot and the larger Show models. The 5-inch display is noticeably bigger than the Spot's 2.5-inch screen, making it actually useful for video calls, watching snippets of recipes while cooking, or controlling smart home devices with visual feedback.

This model has been around for a while now, so Amazon's keeping prices aggressive to move remaining stock. But honestly, that works in your favor. The Show 5 has matured as a product. All the initial bugs are fixed. The software is stable. The integrations with other Amazon products work smoothly.

The camera quality is decent for video calls, though if you're doing anything professional, you'll want an actual computer or tablet. For quick calls with family, checking in on a room with a camera-enabled Show 5, or video monitoring from other Echo Show models, it's fine.

The speaker quality is better than the Spot, worse than the larger Show models. Again, if music is your primary use case, this isn't the right device. But for voice calls, podcasts, and smart home audio feedback, it works well.

At

The Amazon Echo Spot and Echo Show 5 have seen significant price reductions over the past three years, reaching historic lows. Estimated data based on typical pricing trends.

Premium Charging Solutions: Anker's 250W Multi-Port Beast

Charging technology has become this weird arms race where companies keep adding more power, more ports, and more features while simultaneously making everything smaller and cheaper. Anker's been at the forefront of this, and their Prime Charger is a perfect example of how far this has come.

Anker Prime Charger at

$99.99 (Down from$

169.99)

Let's start with what this device actually is: a desktop charging station with four USB-C ports and two USB-A ports, capable of delivering 250 watts of total power. That's a lot. For context, most laptops charge at 65-100 watts. Most phones charge at 20-30 watts. Most tablets charge at 30-50 watts. So this device can simultaneously charge your laptop at full speed, your tablet, two phones, and have power to spare.

The build quality is solid. The power brick is chunky but not outrageously so. The cable management is thoughtful. Each port has a little indicator light so you know which ones are actively delivering power. The whole thing feels like a professional product, not a cheap gadget.

Where this gets interesting is the pricing. At

Anker's also doing something clever with the code WS7DV2I5IMSW, which brings the price down even further if you use it on Anker's website directly. The Amazon price is competitive, but if you want to save an additional few dollars, Anker's site has you covered.

One limitation: this device is best suited for desktop use. It's not portable. If you need charging on the go, grab a smaller device. But if you've got a desk where you're charging multiple devices regularly, this completely changes your cable management situation. Instead of five charging cables snaking across your desk, you've got one device with organized ports.

Apple Air Tags at

$19 (Down from$

29)

Air Tags are those little tracking devices Apple released a few years back that somehow became genuinely useful. Initially, people weren't sure what they were for. But it turns out there are tons of situations where losing track of something is legitimately expensive or stressful.

The core idea is simple: put an Air Tag on your keys, your wallet, your bag, or anything else valuable. If you lose it, you can locate it using your iPhone. If it's nearby, it plays a sound. If it's far away, it uses Apple's Find My network to help locate it. The network is massive because every Apple device participates in finding lost items.

What makes this valuable compared to alternatives is the Precision Finding feature on newer iPhones. Instead of just getting a general direction, you get actual visual guidance showing you which way the lost item is, with distance updates as you walk. It's like having a literal arrow pointing to your lost keys.

At

Apple's ecosystem lock-in here is real (this only works well with iPhones and other Apple devices), but if you're in that ecosystem, it's genuinely one of the most useful tracking solutions available.

Anker's Prime Charger delivers up to 250 watts, enough to charge a laptop, tablet, and phone simultaneously at full speed. Estimated data.

Smart Shopping Strategy During Post-Holiday Sales

There's a psychology to post-holiday retail that's important to understand if you want to actually get good deals. Most retailers use this period to accomplish two things: clear inventory that didn't sell during Black Friday and Christmas, and get people back into spending mode after their holiday purchasing.

What this means practically is that you're going to see deals on items that didn't move quickly during the holidays (like gaming accessories that aren't as popular as expected) and aggressive pricing on seasonal items (like smart home gadgets that retailers want to shift before Q1).

The games that are on sale right now are games that sold well but didn't completely clear out inventory. Nintendo games have predictable sales, so retailers stock accordingly. But Cyberpunk specifically is interesting because it's a third-party title that retailers probably overstocked for the holiday season, expecting bigger sales than they actually got.

Timing Considerations

Most of these deals will stick around through early January, with the strongest availability through January 5-10. After that, inventory starts getting tighter, and retailers reduce discounts. If you're waiting for an additional price drop, the risk is that stock sells out first.

Amazon smart speakers typically see new sales every 6-8 weeks, so if you miss this window, you probably won't see prices this low until early February. Nintendo game sales are more unpredictable, which is why they're more time-sensitive.

Stacking Deals

Some retailers allow you to stack promotions. For example, if you have a retailer-specific credit card, you might get an additional 5% off on top of the listed discount. Warehouse clubs like Costco sometimes have exclusive deals on gaming products. Manufacturer loyalty programs sometimes offer additional discounts.

It's not always worth the effort to chase every possible discount stacking opportunity, but for expensive items like the Anker charger or Cyberpunk, an extra 5-10% off can be meaningful.

Gaming Hardware Considerations

If you're building out a Nintendo Switch library right now, timing is interesting because the Switch 2 is available, and Nintendo's running promotions on original Switch games to clear inventory.

Here's the thing about Switch 2 game compatibility: while many Switch games will work on Switch 2, not all of them will, at least not initially. Nintendo's been cagey about exact compatibility numbers, but based on historical precedent, expect about 85-95% of the Switch library to be compatible. This means a few games might not work.

For the games mentioned in this deal list: Princess Peach: Showtime, Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Super Mario Odyssey, and Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition are all expected to be compatible. But if you're buying other games at these discounts to build your Switch library, check Nintendo's official compatibility list before purchasing.

The practical advice is: don't let potential future compatibility be a reason to skip these deals. The vast majority of games will work fine on Switch 2. And if you're sticking with the original Switch, this is obviously irrelevant.

Estimated data shows that smart home gadgets and Amazon smart speakers have the highest discounts, while Nintendo games are less discounted. Timing is crucial for maximizing savings.

Future Deal Prospects

Historically, January and February see pretty weak deals in gaming because retailers are clearing holiday inventory slowly. The next major push usually comes in late February or early March when spring releases start shipping and retailers need to make room.

If you're hoping to see better prices on these items, the realistic timeline is:

• Nintendo games: next sale window in late February or early March
• Amazon smart speakers: next sale window in mid-to-late January or early February
• Anker chargers: next sale window in late January or mid-February
• Apple Air Tags: next sale window in mid-January or early February

The point being, if you need any of these things now, the current prices are genuinely good and probably represent the best deals you'll see for several months. If you're buying them speculatively ("maybe I'll need this someday"), it's probably worth waiting.

Platform-Specific Recommendations

If you've just gotten a Switch 2 for the holidays, prioritizing purchases makes sense. Princess Peach: Showtime is the most modern game designed for the new hardware. It's going to show off what the Switch 2 can do better than older titles. Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is good but slightly older. Super Mario Odyssey is from 2017 and will work fine, but it's not optimized for the new hardware.

If you've got an original Switch and you're not upgrading to Switch 2, all four games are still worth their discounted prices. The gameplay doesn't change based on hardware iteration.

If you're a gamer who primarily plays on Play Station 5 or Xbox Series X, Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition might be worth picking up for the Switch if you travel a lot. The portable version gives you the flexibility to play in bed or on a plane, even if the visuals are compromised compared to console versions.

For smart home integration, if you're already in the Amazon/Alexa ecosystem, the Echo Spot and Echo Show 5 expand your device options meaningfully. If you're in the Google Home ecosystem, these Amazon devices won't integrate well with your existing setup. If you're in Apple's Home Kit system, these devices offer limited integration. Make sure your smart home platform commitment aligns with these purchases before buying.

Nintendo's post-holiday promotion includes significant discounts on select games, with Princess Peach: Showtime at a 30% discount. Estimated data for other games.

The Real Cost of Savings

Here's something worth considering: the cheapest option isn't always the best option. Some of these deals are so aggressively discounted that they might indicate the retailer is trying to clear last-generation products before new models arrive.

For Nintendo games, this isn't really a concern because Nintendo rarely does annual hardware refreshes on its back catalog. These games will work and play the same a year from now.

For Amazon smart speakers, this timing makes sense. Amazon regularly updates its Echo line, and older models see heavy discounts when new ones arrive. If you buy an Echo Spot now at this price, in 6-8 months Amazon will probably release a new version and this one will become even cheaper. That's fine if you're okay with having older technology. But if you want the latest features (better camera, faster processor), you might want to wait.

For the Anker charger, this is a mature product. There might be incremental updates eventually, but the core technology (multi-port USB-C charging) is stable and not changing significantly.

The point being: do a quick check on whether a replacement or newer version is coming soon before pulling the trigger on these purchases. Usually this is easy to find with a quick Google search.

Return Policies and Purchase Protection

One thing people don't always consider with post-holiday purchases: return policies are sometimes still generous. Most major retailers extended their return windows through mid-January, which means if you buy something now and it doesn't work out, you typically have 2-3 weeks to return it.

Amazon's return policy is generous as always (30 days for most items). Walmart and other retailers are still honoring extended holiday returns. Nintendo doesn't let you return digital purchases, but physical copies are usually returnable within the standard window.

This matters because it reduces risk. If you're unsure about a purchase, you can buy it with the knowledge that you've got a return window if it doesn't work out.

Current sales offer significant discounts, with Nintendo games averaging a 37.5% discount and Amazon Echo products up to 50% off. Estimated data based on typical pricing.

TL; DR

• Nintendo games are discounted 25-50%: Princess Peach, Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Super Mario Odyssey, and Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition are at their lowest prices in months
• Amazon Echo products are at historic lows: Echo Spot (
  $44.99) and Echo Show 5 ($
  59.99) represent genuine savings compared to their typical pricing
• **Anker's 250W charger saves
  $70**:$
  99.99 for six ports supporting simultaneous charging of multiple devices is actual value, especially at that price
• Apple Air Tags at $19 are worth buying in multiples: Post-holiday deals make buying multiple tracking devices economically sensible
• Buy now rather than wait: The next significant sale window for most of these items is 6-8 weeks away, and inventory might sell out

FAQ

What makes post-holiday gaming deals better than other sales periods?

Retailers have excess inventory from holiday stocking that didn't sell during peak shopping season. They need to clear this inventory before Q1 to make room for spring releases. This creates genuine price pressure. Combined with lower customer traffic (people are recovering from holiday spending), retailers offer deeper discounts to drive purchases. Most other times of year, demand is more predictable and inventory is tighter.

Will Nintendo games go lower in price after these discounts end?

Nintendo first-party games rarely get discounted below 25-30% off their retail price. These current 40-50% discounts are unusually aggressive. Historical data suggests Nintendo games see sale cycles every 6-8 weeks, but discounts usually hover around 20-30%. If you're hoping for a lower price, you might be waiting a long time. For reference, games that released 2-3 years ago still rarely drop below 30-40% off.

Is Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch actually playable, or is it a compromised experience?

It's playable and the experience is genuinely impressive given the hardware constraints. Expect 30 FPS instead of 60+, 720p handheld resolution instead of 1080p+, and noticeable pop-in and draw distance compromises. But the story, character writing, and world design are all intact. If you're mostly interested in the Phantom Liberty expansion's story content, the Switch version handles that just fine. For performance-intensive activities like intense combat or driving sequences, console versions are noticeably better.

Should I buy multiple Air Tags, or will one be enough?

Most people benefit from at least two: one for keys, one for a bag or wallet. The

Will the Echo Spot or Echo Show 5 integrate with non-Amazon smart home ecosystems?

Both devices work best within the Amazon ecosystem. They can control some third-party devices if those devices have Alexa integration, but the experience isn't seamless. If you're primarily using Google Home, Home Kit, or other platforms, these Amazon devices will have limited functionality. They'll work as standalone speakers and as Alexa devices, but deep smart home integration relies on your ecosystem commitment. Check your existing ecosystem before purchasing.

Is the Anker Prime Charger worth the space it takes up on a desk?

Depends on how many devices you charge simultaneously. If you regularly charge 3+ devices at once, the space savings from consolidated charging completely outweigh the footprint cost. You're replacing multiple chargers and cables with one device. If you mostly charge one device at a time, this might be overkill. But for households with multiple family members or someone with multiple devices (phone, tablet, laptop, smartwatch, earbuds), the consolidation is worth it.

When will these deals end, and should I wait to see if they get better?

Most of these deals will remain available through January 5-10. After that, inventory drops and prices stabilize. For Amazon devices, expect new sales every 6-8 weeks, but not necessarily at this price point. For Nintendo games, the next sale window is probably late February. If you need these items now, don't wait. If you're buying speculatively, waiting for inventory to sell out is a real risk. Stock is limited on the deepest discounts.

Do I need to buy a Switch 2 to take advantage of these game deals?

No. These games work on original Switch hardware. The Switch 2 compatibility is a bonus feature (most will be compatible), but these prices are fair even if you're keeping your current Switch. If you just got a Switch 2 for the holidays, these games are good starting titles for that platform, but they're also good purchases for original Switch owners.

Are there any hidden fees or taxes I should account for when planning these purchases?

Tax varies by location, so the final price will be higher than listed. Sales tax, shipping (if applicable), and any regional fees apply. Some purchases might qualify for free shipping depending on your Prime status or purchase amount. The prices listed are before tax and shipping. If you have a retailer credit card, check for additional discounts or cash back options before purchasing.

Final Thoughts: Being a Smart Holiday Shopper

The post-holiday shopping window is genuinely different from the pre-holiday chaos. During the lead-up to Christmas, retailers are pushing new products and bundles. After Christmas, they're clearing inventory. This shift creates opportunities if you know what to look for.

The deals highlighted here are solid: genuine savings on products you'd want to buy anyway, not artificial discounts on items you don't need. That's the key distinction between smart shopping and impulse shopping.

If any of these items have been on your wishlist, this is the time to pull the trigger. The chances of better pricing in the next few weeks are low. The inventory is available right now. The return windows are still generous if you change your mind.

But if you're buying stuff just because it's discounted, that's where people get in trouble. A 50% discount on something you don't actually want is still overpriced.

Be intentional, check your budget, and grab the deals that actually make sense for your situation. That's the real way to win at post-holiday shopping.

Key Takeaways

• Nintendo games (Princess Peach, Zelda, Mario Odyssey, Cyberpunk) are discounted 25-50%, representing the deepest discounts of the year
• Amazon Echo Spot and Show 5 are at historic lows at
  $44.99 and$
  59.99 respectively, likely representing 6-8 week sales cycles
• Anker Prime Charger's 250W output with six ports at
  $99.99 consolidates multi-device charging and saves$
  70 from regular retail
• Post-holiday sales window (through January 10) represents last opportunity for deep discounts before inventory stabilizes
• Return policies still generous through mid-January, reducing purchase risk if items don't meet expectations

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