A leaked internal GameStop memo has kicked off a late-December shopping scramble: Nintendo has ended production of the Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle for the U.S., meaning any new shipments will be the base console only.
The headline is simple: the bundle is no longer being produced. Retailers will continue to sell whatever stock remains on shelves, but once those units are gone, the bundled package — which paired a Switch 2 with Mario Kart World — won’t be replenished.
Why people cared
The bundle was an easy sell for many buyers. The Switch 2 itself retails notably higher than its predecessor, and Mario Kart World carried a premium price at launch (around $79–$80). Bundled together the console-and-game package landed at roughly $499, versus a base Switch 2 priced near $449 — a small, tangible saving for shoppers who would have bought the game anyway.
There were a few other quirks worth knowing: some U.S. bundle units shipped with a scratch-off voucher that required redeeming Mario Kart World on the Nintendo eShop after initial console setup, rather than including a physical cartridge. That detail frustrated a subset of buyers who expected boxed games in a bundle.
Not the end of Switch 2 bundle strategy
Nintendo has framed the Mario Kart World package as a limited-time offer from the start, so the end of production isn’t exactly a surprise. Still, it does signal a shift back to selling the base SKU and gives Nintendo flexibility to promote different launch windows and tie-ins going forward.
If you were holding out for another themed console pack, there are obvious candidates on the horizon: Nintendo has been actively updating its schedule and franchise plans since the Switch 2’s debut, and the company recently laid groundwork for other high-profile releases and updates. For example, the company’s upbeat sales forecasts and sustained demand have already shifted how it approaches bundles and inventory planning Nintendo Raises Switch 2 Forecast as Console Sales Soar. Meanwhile, seasonal and franchise-specific bundles remain likely; Animal Crossing is getting a Switch 2 treatment in January, which could prompt a fresh bundle push around that release Animal Crossing’s Big Surprise: Free 3.0 Update and a Switch 2 Edition Land Jan. 15. Nintendo has also been refining its release cadence as third-party support ramps up, so different bundles may follow industry events and major drops Nintendo Reconfirms Big Switch 2 Release Schedule as Third‑Party Support Surges.
Practical advice for shoppers and collectors
- If you want a Mario Kart World copy bundled with a Switch 2 specifically, act fast: check local stores and online retailers for remaining inventory. Existing stock will continue to be sold until it runs out.
- If you don’t mind buying the game separately, the base Switch 2 remains widely available and will likely be the default SKU for retailers going forward.
- Collectors who prize a physical boxed bundle (cartridge + console box) should verify the exact contents before buying — some bundles included digital redemption vouchers rather than a physical copy.
For Nintendo, ending the Mario Kart World bundle streamlines inventory and frees up marketing for other franchise tie-ins that may better match upcoming release windows. For consumers, it’s a reminder that the most convenient deals tied to launch titles don’t last forever — and that a little urgency can make the difference between grabbing a discounted bundle and paying full price later.
If you’re hunting one down tonight, your best bet is to phone ahead to local stores and check retailer stock pages; otherwise, waiting for the next official bundle (likely around another big Nintendo release) might be the smarter, less frantic move.