Tip 01: Select a location with less tax and save on Digital Purchases
In Newfoundland for example, tax is 15%. So $84.99 x 1.15 = $97.74. While in Alberta, tax is 5%. So $84.99 x 1.05 = $89.24. So setting your location to Alberta can save you lots.
Alternatively, you can shop specifically at www.ebgames.ca for select digital game codes, and just skip the taxes all together since they don't charge taxes on Digital items.
And while we are on the topic of saving... if you happen to have a Costco membership, you can get a bundle of 4 $25 eShop cards = $100 in store, for $89.99, saving you $10.01, and as an added bonus... yes, counts towards your 2% back.
And if you don't have a Costco membership... you can always check out places like www.amazon.ca and possibly get a $99 eShop card for $89.99 or less (Discount Sale Depending).
Tip 02: Digital Collection VS. Physical Collection
By going digital, you can do the following...
- You can Game Share with one trusted friend, and or, family member.
- And you can basically be insured should you ever lose your Switch, or your games for whatever the reason. Like if your house catches fire or floods... you lose it on a trip... someone breaks in... and just steals your stuff.
All you have to do, as long as Nintendo is still around and supporting their servers, is just rebuy a Switch, Micro SD Card / Micro SD Express Card, and simply log into your account..., and you're pretty much good to go.
Just might want to give Nintendo a call at (1-800-255-3700) and request them to unlink your original main Switch, to make your new Switch, your main Switch so then it's not your secondary Switch.
By going physical...
- You can share... but then you can't play it until you get it back - Once it's gone... it's gone and then you'll have to go rebuy everything again - You might end up paying a lot more, depending on where you live due to taxes and resellers - You risk your console being banned and disabled as someone could have ripped your cartridge as Nintendo might think piracy is at work (Call them at 1-800-255-3700 to resolve should that happen)
Tip 03: Save money on the Nintendo Switch Online service
First of all, I would highly advise that you get the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass as it has more benefits. Especially if you have a Switch 2. And if you can..., team up with someone else who's trustworthy as you can split the cost 8 ways.
If using thee (Alberta trick), right now as of the time of typing this, it's currently $115.49 (CAD). So if there's 8 of you, and you all pay about $14.44 each... you're all good to go.
Or as mentioned earlier above, you can shop for the Family Plan + Expansion on www.ebgames.ca (Mondays - Fridays) and get it for just $109.99 since no tax, so about $13.75 each instead.
Note: People who are 13+ can be, (No pun intended) "switched" in and out at anytime. Which is why I say to team up with someone who is trustworthy.
Tip 04: Best invest in Express instead of a Regular Micro SD Card
While the Nintendo Switch 1 can work with both the regular and Express at no extra benefit... the Nintendo Switch 2 can only work with Micro SD Express Cards... So in my opinion... you are a lot better off just investing in a Micro SD Express Card from the start.