The Nintendo Switch, like everything else that can lighten the mood during this incredibly tough time, is in short supply. And as soon as retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart get it in stock, it quickly sells out. It can be disheartening to miss out on the opportunity to buy a Switch — but fear not! The purpose of this article is to help you do just that without paying more than it would usually cost at retail.

We’re keeping a lookout across the web to find where, when, and how you can buy a Nintendo Switch (the one you can dock to your TV or remove for portable use) or a Switch Lite (the portable-only version of the console) as well as any bundles that seem like good deals.

Keep in mind that stock — even Switch consoles that are preowned or refurbished — will likely continue to sell out quickly during the pandemic. But we’ll do our best to keep this article up to date with the latest in-stock offers, and we’ll tell you when each offer was posted. When something gets sold out, we’ll try to let you know.

Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

Where can I buy a Nintendo Switch or Switch Lite right now?

• Amazon has the Animal Crossing-themed Nintendo Switch consoles. Unlike the regular Switch, this model has a few standout features that make it one of the best-looking Switch models to date. It includes pastel green and blue Joy-Con, a white dock adorned with images of the Nook family, and the back of the Switch has an embossed design with little icons associated with the game.
• GameStop and Best Buy currently have stock of the Nintendo Switch Lite in different colors.
• GameStop and Best Buy receive new supplies of the Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite consoles fairly regularly, and it’s a good strategy to keep these pages open so you can quickly add one to your cart when they come back in stock.
• Amazon has been sold out of the regular Switch for a while now and is usually among one of the first retailers to sell out when new stock arrives.

Image: Nintendo

If you’re not against buying a preowned or refurbished console, you’ll want to check out GameStop. Another good place to look is Nintendo’s own online store where it sells refurbished Switch consoles. Those have been sold out recently, but there’s no telling when it will restock the page with some repaired, refreshed consoles.

Oddly enough, Nintendo has its own official seller page on eBay, which usually hosts refurbished Switch consoles, though it has been closed “until further notice” due to the pandemic. Still, that’s worth keeping an eye on, too.

Photo by James Bareham / The Verge

What accessories do I need to buy for the Nintendo Switch?

Frankly, the Switch comes with everything that you need to get started and have fun. However, a few extra purchases can help you get a little more out of your console, and in some cases, help it weather the wear and tear that it’ll undoubtedly endure.

First off, a microSD card will help you extend your Switch’s default 32GB of storage. Amazon, Best Buy, and other retailers regularly sell cards with up to 512GB of storage for around $75. A 400GB microSD card will cost you around $46, and with each game ranging in download size from 1GB to tens of gigabytes, the card has enough space to store several of them.

Photo by James Bareham / The Verge

Let’s talk quickly about controllers. The Switch Joy-Cons have a somewhat unconventional look. Nevertheless, the Pro Controller is a great alternative to play most Switch games, though some Super Mario Party titles require the Joy-Cons to play. If you are looking for a Switch Pro controller, Walmart also has the normal Switch Pro controller for $59, knockings $11 off its normal retail price.

Of course, there are also third-party options to choose from, especially if you liked the GameCube controller’s design. Amazon is currently running a deal that allows you to buy three of PowerA’s wireless game controllers for $70. This is a great deal, especially if you plan to play multiplayer games like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate with friends.

Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

Next up, get a tempered glass screen cover. The display on the Switch and Switch Lite is covered in plastic, and it’s just asking to get scratched as soon as you take it out of the box. Save the heartbreak by getting an affordable, easy-to-apply glass cover at Amazon.

If you want to play online with friends, ensure that your saves are backed up in the cloud, and get access to a slate of on-demand games from the original Nintendo console and SNES console era, you’ll want to get a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. It’s $20 per year for a single user on a console or $35 a year for up to eight users on different consoles.