Nintendo is known for releasing plenty of special editions for all its consoles and handhelds. Naturally, the Switch is no different, with a wide collection of versions of the system having been released since it first launched in 2017. There are currently 19 different special editions of the Switch, with each being linked to a specific game launch.
Special edition systems range from first-party exclusives like Animal Crossing: New Horizons to third-party games such as Trials of Mana. Some are even competition exclusive, being given out as prizes for the lucky winners. Here is every current Nintendo Switch special edition model.
Updated on May 2, 2023, by Casey Foot: With the launch of various popular Nintendo titles, there are often limited edition Switch consoles to coincide with them, and Nintendo has stepped it up when it comes to designs in recent years. These limited consoles commemorate their respective games through their colour schemes and intricate details that are tempting for any collector. We’ve updated this list to include more Nintendo Switch special edition consoles that have launched since this article was originally published.
Special Mention - Trials Of Mana
- Release Date: Competition
- Special Features: Switch, Joy-Con, Joy-Con Grip, Dock
Alongside the remake of Trials of Mana for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4, Square Enix announced special edition consoles for both the Nintendo Switch and PS4. To get your hands on one, you had to enter a competition in 2020; however, there has been little information released about it since then, making it a very elusive special edition to obtain.
The console itself has a yellow backplate with the face of a Rabite (one of the series' mascots) in the centre. The dock is a similar story, with the same colour scheme and a full body image of a Rabite. The Joy-Con are an orange-yellow shade to complement the overall Rabite yellow theme. Unlike other special editions, this one has a customised Joy-Con grip, depicting a Rabite soaring in the air above the game's title.
18 The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom OLED
- Release Date: 28/04/23
- Special Features: Switch, Dock, Joy-Cons, Straps
To mark Tears of the Kingdom’s launch, Nintendo came out with this OLED special edition that showcases Hyrule's Crest as well as various symbols from the game. Similar to other The Legend of Zelda special edition consoles, such as the Majora’s Mask 3DS XL, this special edition has a primarily gold colour scheme, in addition to touches of white and green.
The Joy-Con are gold on the front with a white back, and each one has a unique design. The left Joy-Con has a similar green accent to Link’s ancient tunic, and the right one has white swirls, which are also seen on the Switch’s backplate, but embossed in grey. The dock is the star of the show, though, with the golden Triforce in the centre surrounded by a dragon ouroboros.
17 Pokemon Scarlet & Violet OLED
- Release Date: 04/11/2022
- Special Features: Switch, Dock, Joy-Con, Straps
To celebrate the launch of Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, Nintendo created a special edition Switch OLED that encapsulates the two versions of the game. This Switch has a decorated backplate, with graffiti-esque depictions of the three starter Pokemon, Fuecoco, Quaxly, and Sprigatito, as well as other motifs from the game.
The Joy-Con are orange and purple, representing the Naranja and Uva Academies, and have the respective school’s crest emblazoned at the bottom. Koraidon and Miraidon, the legendary mascots, are featured on the dock, with a subtle pattern lining the edge. The back of the dock also has a small PokeBall design in the bottom left corner.
16 Splatoon 3 OLED
- Release Date: 26/08/22
- Special Features: Switch, Dock, Joy-Con, Straps
The Splatoon 3 Switch OLED is an improvement on the Splatoon 2 Switch’s subtle design. As soon as you see this Switch, you know which game it’s based on, as it perfectly captures Splatoon 3’s essence.
The entire Switch, Joy-Con, and dock are covered in a pattern showing various Splatoon symbols, and a yellow ink splotch gives the white dock a touch of colour. Rather than being a solid color like most other Joy-Con, the pair included with this Switch have blue-to-purple and yellow-to-green gradient effects. The backs are white, but have a sick pattern referencing the Inklings and Octolings.
15 Dialga & Palkia Lite
- Release Date: 05/11/2021
- Special Features: N/A
With the launch of Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, remakes of the original DS games, it was only right that the special edition Diamond & Pearl DS was represented through this Switch Lite.
The entire console is a replica of the initial design, with a shiny dark grey base embossed with outlines of the Generation 4 legendary Pokemon, Dialga and Palkia. The two are printed in silver and gold respectively. It’s a subtle but effective design that looks back on Pokemon’s past and celebrates these iconic games.
14 Zacian & Zamazenta Lite
- Release Date: 08/11/2019
- Special Features: N/A
The Nintendo Switch Lite Zacian and Zamazenta edition has an understated design that highlights Pokemon Sword & Shield’s legendary wolves. The console itself is a light grey colour, which complements the blue and reddish pink buttons and control sticks - colours that represent each version of the game.
The main feature is on the back, where Zacian and Zamazenta are printed in a dark grey foil. If you’re a fan of this legendary pair, this design will be right up your street. Although the majority of its special design is on the back, it’s a clean look nonetheless.
13 Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Release Date: 03/20/2020
- Special Features: Switch, Dock, Joy-Con, Straps
The Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch launched alongside the game in March 2020. The game itself became one of the best-selling on the system within months, having sold 32 million units in 2020 alone.
It features a dock depicting Tom Nook and his nephews on an island much like the one you nurture in the game, as well as a pair of pastel-green and blue coloured Joy-Con. The Switch has a unique pattern on the backplate depicting various symbols from the game, including silhouettes of villagers on islands.
12 Monster Hunter Rise
- Release Date: 03/26/2021
- Special Features: Switch, Dock, Joy-Con
Launched alongside Monster Hunter Rise, this Switch features a black dock embossed with one of the Monsters from the game in gold, as well as the title of the game surrounded by golden flames.
The backplate is unique too, with a grey design featuring the same symbols seen on the dock. The Joy-Con are the standard grey, although they've been given a special design on the bottom of the controller, as well as on the control sticks. The back of the Joy-Con also has a row of symbols.
11 Mario Red + Blue
- Release Date: 02/12/2021
- Special Features: Switch, Dock, Joy-Con, Straps, Case, Joy-Con Grip
This Mario-themed Switch was revealed alongside Super Mario 3D World's Bowser's Fury. It includes a Mario-themed carry case, and uses the plumber's iconic blue and red colour scheme throughout the Switch and its accessories.
The Switch, Joy-Con, and dock are all Mario red, with the Joy-Con grip being blue. The Joy-Con straps are red and white, with the adjuster being yellow, representing the pins on Mario's classic overalls. It's a rather simplistic design, but it does an excellent job of representing Mario's character without being overwhelming.
10 Super Mario Odyssey
- Release Date: 10/27/2017
- Special Features: Joy-Con
One of the earliest special editions celebrated the launch of Super Mario Odyssey. Compared to most special editions, this one is rather lackluster, featuring a pair of Mario Red Joy-Con and nothing else.
Some versions of the system came with a digital copy of the game, whereas the Japanese edition came bundled with a physical copy. The North American and Japanese versions included a Mario-themed carry case too.
9 Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
- Release Date: 11/16/2018
- Special Features: System, Dock, Joy-Con, Straps
This cute Pokemon-themed Switch was released alongside Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee, and depicts the two title Pokemon on the system's dock, posing in adorable positions. The Switch backplate features various silhouettes of the two as well, with a few PokeBalls scattered amongst them.
The Joy-Con are colored to match the two Pokemon, and the Joy-Con straps are beige and dark brown to complete the Eevee and Pikachu-themed color scheme. A copy of the game is included too, so you can start your adventure in Kanto in style.
8 Super Smash Bros Ultimate
- Release Date: 11/16/2018
- Special Features: Dock, Joy-Con
To mark the release of the biggest ever Super Smash Bros, Nintendo produced this special edition Switch, complete with a pair of Joy-Con that feature the iconic Smash Bros symbol. The Switch dock has some of Nintendo's most famous characters on it, including Mario, Samus, Link, and Kirby, presented in a black and white hue.
All regions included a downloadable version of the game. A special edition Pro Controller was also released on the same date, allowing Super Smash Bros fans to complete the collection.
7 Diablo 3 Eternal Collection
- Release Date: 11/02/2018
- Special Features: Switch, Dock
One of the few third-party special edition Switches available, the Diablo 3 Switch features a unique dock and backplate design. The dock is grey with two characters, one on either side of the Switch logo, and the backplate features one symbol but is otherwise plain grey.
Unfortunately, the Joy-Con are also rather simple, making the dock the main draw of this special edition. This bundle also included a Diablo 3 Switch carrying case, as well as a digital copy of the game. It is the only M-rated game to have a special edition Switch.
6 Dragon Quest 11
- Release Date: 9/27/2019
- Special Features: Dock, System, Joy-Con
A Japan-exclusive, the launch of Dragon Quest 11 S came alongside a gorgeous Switch system coloured in a deep, vibrant blue. The dock is grey and decorated with a shield and sword from the game, and the blue Joy-Con feature a pair of slimes seen across the series.
The Switch backplate features the silhouettes of a variety of different enemy creatures found throughout the adventure, with the slimes being blue for a pop of colour. It also includes a physical copy of the game and an artbook.
5 Splatoon 2
- Release Date: 09/08/2017 (North America)
- Special Features: Joy-Con
Another plain special edition was the Splatoon 2 Switch. Despite being for a game full of colour, the system itself was left grey with only the Joy-Con receiving special treatment. A pair of neon Joy-Con came with this edition, the left being green and the right being pink. A Splatoon 2 carrying case was also included alongside a copy of the game.
Luckily, if you're just interested in the Joy-Con, you can purchase them separately from the Switch bundle, meaning you don't have to spend money on another console if you already own one.
4 Disney Tsum Tsum
- Release Date: 10/10/2019
- Special Features: Switch, Dock, Joy-Con
Another Japan-exclusive Switch model, this Disney Tsum Tsum Switch features some rather subtle design, with the home button of the Joy-Con being given a pair of cute Mickey Mouse ears. The Joy-Con are purple and pink, and both feature a pattern made up of the four playing card suits.
The dock is a simple grey with the same pattern, as well as the game's title and four character logos. The backplate features a similar pattern and includes the game's logo too. A physical copy of the game was also included.
3 Fortnite
- Release Date: 11/30/2020
- Special Features: Switch, Dock, Joy-Con
Fortnite was previously bundled with a neon Switch console, but this was the first time it received a unique console all of its own. It features a dock engraved with a collection of characters from the game including Fishsticks, Skull Trooper, and Tomato Man.
The right Joy-Con is decorated with a battle bus that incorporates the home button as the hot air balloon above the ship, which is a clever way to showcase the motif. The backplate is engraved with the same characters seen on the dock itself. This bundle also includes the Wildcat character pack.
2 Monster Hunter XX
- Release Date: 08/25/2017
- Special Features: Dock, System
Monster Hunter XX, and the special edition Switch launched alongside it, were both exclusive to Japan. It was the first makeover the Switch received after launch and features a unique dock and backplate.
The dock is decorated with runes, as well as the title of the game. The backplate of the Switch features a dragon symbol and a border at the top. A physical copy of the game was also included in the Switch bundle, so you could set up the Switch and start playing right away.
1 Nintendo Labo
- Release Date: Competition
- Special Features: Switch, Joy-Con, Dock
This incredibly rare Switch was only available to winners of a Nintendo Labo contest that Nintendo ran in 2018. It isn't clear how many units exist, but it is believed to be under 15, indicating just how rare this system is.
The whole Switch, dock, and Joy-Con all have a cardboard appearance to them, with the dock and Switch backplate having the Nintendo Labo logo in place of the normal Switch logo. It is most likely the least-produced Switch system, making it a worthy prize for the winners.