The Nintendo Switch 2 has been pretty difficult to find in stock since June. If you were able to get your hands on the new console, you may be debating whether or not you should get rid of your old one. Amazon has one such option available: You can currently trade in your old Switch for a bit of digital cash. Unfortunately, the most you’ll be able to get in return is just enough to cover the newest Switch 2 game.
The Amazon trade-in program will offer up to $70 in Amazon gift cards for your old Nintendo Switch if it meets all of the criteria. That’s just enough money to buy Donkey Kong Bananza before it releases this week. If you’re interested, here’s a quick rundown of how to do it.
How to Trade in Your Switch on Amazon
Up to $70 in Amazon gift cards
Amazon Trade-in
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Check to see if you meet the requirements
To trade in your old Switch, you’ll first need to visit the Amazon trade-in portal. This page mostly features ways to trade in your old Amazon devices, but if you scroll to the very last option you’ll see a video game items category. You’ll need to start here to begin the trade-in process, then follow the rest of these steps:
- Select Console as your trade-in item type
- Select Nintendo as your manufacturer
- Select Switch as your console generation
- Select Switch Lite or Switch as the model – note that Amazon counts a Switch and a Switch OLED as the same in the trade-in process, and Switch Lite trade-ins will max out at $60
- Answer the yes or no questions to complete your trade-in estimate
- Choose an option to accept the adjusted value or have Amazon return your Switch for free if it doesn’t meet the requirements
- Accept the Amazon Trade-In Terms and Conditions
- Wait for Amazon to send a shipping label to your address, then send it in to receive your gift card
Use Your Gift Card on Donkey Kong Bananza
Donkey Kong Bananza
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If you go through all of these steps and get yourself a digital gift card, the next obvious step is to use that money on Switch 2 games. With the rising cost of Nintendo games in 2025, $70 is not quite enough to purchase Mario Kart World, but it’s just the right amount to pick up the new Donkey Kong game releasing this Thursday. Donkey Kong Bananza is currently priced at $69 at Amazon and is one of the most anticipated Switch 2 games this year. It was recently confirmed that the same team that worked on Mario Odyssey were the ones that developed Donkey Kong Bananza, and fans are excited to finally get to play it. IGN even had the chance to interview the developers to get some burning questions answered.
If you’re looking to use your gift card on other new games instead, quite a few new Switch 2 games are releasing in July that are worth a look too.
