People who like collecting video games get seriously into tracking down all the rarest, most hard-to-find games they can get their hands on. Most of the rarest games are for retro consoles that have been out of print for decades, leading many copies to get lost or damaged, but that's not always the case.
The Nintendo Switch is relatively new, yet some games have already become pretty rare and hard to find. Whether it’s because it's a special edition or only saw a limited physical release, these titles are the rarest Switch games and extremely hard to get your hands on.
Updated on August 21, 2023, by PJ Molloy: If you're a Switch owner, you may want to sit down before seeing these prices. A lot has happened since the Switch launched in 2017, and the pile of rare and expensive Switch games has grown astronomically. It’s shocking to see games for a thriving modern console be so hard to find, especially since some came out not too long ago. So what happened? Many of the rarest Switch games are collector's editions that only got a limited run. And wherever there's a special version of a game, there are bound to be scalpers. If you manage to track down one of these rare Switch games, brace yourself for price tags that cost more than the Switch itself.
15 Baldur’s Gate, Planescape, Neverwinter Ultimate Collector's Pack ($329)
If you're a Baldur's Gate fan, get ready to see one behemoth of a collector's edition. The Ultimate Collectors Pack comes with enhanced versions of several Dungeons And Dragons games, including the first two Baldur's Gate games, Planescape: Torment, Icewind Dale, and Neverwinter Nights.
What makes it one of the rarest Switch games are the unique goodies included in the pack, such as a foam replica skull, a set of dice, and a 250-page journal. If you manage to hunt down a complete unopened set, get ready to pay about $329.
14 Outlast Murkoff Briefcase Edition ($329)
Outlast is a first-person survival horror series that has you explore some truly terrifying locations ranging from an abandoned hospital to a town ruled by a vicious cult. The Nintendo Switch received digital versions of the first two games thanks to the launch of Outlast: Bundle of Terror.
Unfortunately, buying a rare limited version is the only way to get a physical copy. Limited Run Games distributed a special version called the Outlast Murkoff Briefcase Edition, containing both games, posters, comics, and other collectibles. Only 2,000 copies were produced, making it one of the rarest Switch games. A new copy will set you back roughly $329.
13 Labyrinth Of Refrain: Coven Of Dusk Limited Edition ($338)
Here's a hidden gem for you. Labyrinth Of Refrain: Coven Of Dusk is a turn-based RPG with dungeon-crawler mechanics. When a cursed underground labyrinth is destroying a town, it's up to a brave witch, Madame Dronya, to venture into the mysterious maze and break the curse once and for all.
On top of the traditional CD soundtrack and art book, the limited edition stands out for including a metal bookmark and a pack of tarot cards. Due to the unique perks, it's become one of the most expensive Switch games. If you want a new copy, you'll likely have to pay $338.
12 Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster ($344)
Out of all the rare Switch games, this one hurts the most. For a while, it was unclear if Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster would get a Switch port. Final Fantasy fans breathed a sigh of relief when the collection finally launched on Nintendo Switch in April 2023.
This bundle comes with remastered versions of the first six Final Fantasy games. Sadly, the game only had a limited physical release, and as you can probably guess, it sold out quickly. For a physical copy, get ready to drop around $344 - almost five times its original price.
11 Disco Elysium: The Final Cut Collector’s Edition ($345)
A detective wakes up with amnesia, and to his dismay, he's forced to solve a murder while regaining his memories. Welcome to Disco Elysium, a CRPG that takes you through a thrilling neo-noir mystery. This indie title swept up at the 2019 Game Awards, winning Best Narrative, Best Independent Game, and others.
The collector's edition comes with a hand-painted vinyl sculpture of the Mind Totem, an art book with over 190 pages, and an illustrated fabric map of the game's setting. This special edition has become extremely rare over the years, resulting in a staggering $345 price tag for a new copy.
10 Contra Anniversary Collection Ultimate Edition ($349)
Many rare Nintendo Switch games start as digital-only titles that get a limited physical release later. Contra Anniversary Collection Ultimate Edition is no exception. This bundle is heaven if you're a fan of retro run-and-gun games. It features ten classic Contra titles to bring back that 80s and 90s nostalgia.
Limited Run Games distributed an Ultimate Edition with a framed art print, a mini replica flying capsule, a hardcover book about the history of the Contra series, and much more. To no one's surprise, it's extremely expensive now. A new copy costs about $349 - enough to buy 17 digital copies of the game.
9 Ys 8: Lacrimosa Of Dana Limited Edition ($374)
Who would've thought there'd be a limited-edition video game that encourages reading? Not only does the special version of this action RPG come with two books. You also get two bookends featuring the main characters.
Ys 8: Lacrimoas Of Dana is the eighth installment in the Ys series. The plot follows a young adventurer, Adol, who gets shipwrecked on a mysterious island and must find a way to escape. It's become one of the rarest Switch games in recent years, totaling around $374 online. Even a used copy costs more than a Switch Lite.
8 Fox N Forests Collector's Edition ($399)
Fox N Forests, from German studio Bonus Level Entertainment, was born from a Kickstarter campaign in 2016. The game launched on Nintendo Switch in 2018. In this side-scrolling platformer, you control an anthropomorphic fox named Rick, who must restore order to his forest by using magic to change the seasons.
Strictly Limited Games only produced 1,000 copies of the Collector's Edition, which came with a sticker sheet, art book, poster, and even a set of postcards. Today, this edition is worth $399, easily earning it a spot among the rarest Switch games.
7 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge Radical Edition ($419)
The Radical Edition of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge comes with so many goodies that it's enough to make any TMNT fan's mouth water. This retro-style beat-em-up pays homage to the classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle games from the arcade and SNES eras, and Radical Edition fully evokes that nostalgic feeling.
The set has a case designed to look like a VHS tape, a Shredder action figure, a mini arcade cabinet replica that plays the game’s trailer, a full-length strategy guide, and even a Pizza Hut coupon for one free personal pan pizza. Since a limited amount was made, it's one of the rarest Nintendo Switch games, selling for a whopping $419 price tag.
6 Bayonetta Non-Stop Climax Edition ($479)
Bayonetta and its sequel came to Nintendo Switch in 2018. To celebrate, PlatinumGames launched a Japan-exclusive limited edition bundle called the Bayonetta Non-Stop Climax Edition. In addition to the games, it included a SteelBook case, 22 Verse Cards, and a full sheet of stickers.
Although the Non-Stop Climax Edition only launched in Japan, North American collectors can still import it. At this point, though, the price is pretty high. A new copy will set you back about $479.
5 Bloodstained: Ritual Of The Night Signed Collector's Box ($520)
The Bloodstained series is known for filling the void left by Castlevania's recent absence. It may have been in a messy state at launch, but after a few patches, Bloodstained: Ritual Of The Night managed to be a solid homage to Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night. If you backed the game on Kickstarter, you got a special treat with your physical copy.
This edition is one of the most expensive Switch games because it's signed by Koji Igarashi, writer and producer of the game and former producer for the Castlevania series. It also comes with a soundtrack CD signed by the game's composer. It’s extremely rare since it was only given to high-tier Kickstarter backers. If you're lucky enough to find a copy, brace yourself for a $520 price tag.
4 Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & The Secret Hideout Limited Edition ($552)
This charming JRPG is the twenty-first entry in Koei Tecmo’s Atelier series. The adventure follows a young woman, Ryza, who becomes an alchemist's apprentice after he saves her life. It features a turn-based combat system and crafting mechanics that involve using alchemy. The game was even adapted into an anime in July 2023.
The Limited Edition includes three art cards, an art book, a cloth poster, and an acrylic keychain. While it's not nearly the amount of collectibles as some of the other rarest Nintendo Switch games, it still costs a hefty amount of $552. With that amount, you can buy two Nintendo Switch Lites and still have some money left over.
3 Shantae And The Pirate's Curse Collector's Edition ($653)
It's impossible to play a Shantae game without smiling. Unless you have to drop $653 for a new physical copy. Shantae And The Pirate's Curse is the third entry in this colorful, quirky Metroidvania series.
Limited Run Games only made 2,900 copies of the Collector's Edition, which is why it's one of the rarest Switch games. If you're lucky enough to find a copy, you'll get a decorative Game Boy Color cartridge with a retro-style box and display stand, among many other treats.
2 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild Master Edition ($1,143)
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild is a must-play for all Switch owners. If you want the Master Edition, however, you better buckle up. It's the second-rarest Switch game.
This special edition is every Zelda fan's dream, coming with a Calamity Ganon tapestry, a weather-worn map of Hyrule, a Switch carrying case designed to look like a Sheikah Slate, a soundtrack CD, and a miniature statue of the Master Sword. If you want to add all of that to your collection., it's going to cost you a mind-blowing amount of $1,143.
1 Gris Signature Edition ($1,498)
You'd be hard-pressed to find a Switch game as beautiful as Gris. This stunning title follows a woman who's robbed of her voice while her world is stripped of color. As she explores, she slowly returns color to the land by bursting into tears after completing each segment. It's up to you how to interpret the story.
It's one of the best 2D platformers on Switch, with an equally impressive special edition. It includes a gorgeous painting by the game's director, a vinyl record containing the soundtrack, sheet music for the game's score, and an art book. A new and complete copy of the set costs an average of $1,498, easily making it the rarest Nintendo Switch game.