Video game collectors often get serious about tracking down all the rare, 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 to many copies getting lost or damaged. But that's not always the case.
Although the Nintendo Switch isn't an old system, some games have already become quite expensive and tricky to hunt down. Whether they're special editions or only saw a limited physical launch, the following titles are the rarest and most difficult to find in the console's library.
Updated on August 7, 2024, by PJ Molloy: Out-of-print video games become more expensive each passing month. If you thought standard Switch titles were pricey, wait until you see the new limited edition games we've added to the list.
20 Fox N Forests (Collector's Edition)
Estimated Value — $323
From German studio Bonus Level Entertainment, Fox n Forests is an indie 2D platformer starring an anthropomorphic fox named Rick, who can use magic to change the seasons. The game started as a Kickstarter campaign in 2016 before hitting the Switch eShop two years later.
Strictly Limited Games distributed the collector's edition, which included a sticker sheet, art book, poster, and a set of postcards. Since only 1,000 copies were made, the complete set is incredibly hard to find. Be prepared to see a price tag of about $323 on eBay.
19 Inscryption (Special Reserve Edition)
Estimated Value — $339
Inscryption
RoguelikeDeckbuilding Released October 19, 2021 Developer(s) Daniel Mullins Games
Made by the creator of Pony Island and The Hex, Inscryption is a roguelike deck-builder with horror elements. The story is told through found footage and follows Luke Carder, a content creator who discovers a haunted video game buried in the woods. What follows is a creepypasta-esque psychological thriller full of twists and meta-horror.
Special Reserves Games launched a limited edition in 2023, which came with an instruction booklet, a reversible sleeve, and a Magic the Gathering-style art card. Only 3,000 bundles were produced, and supply ran out almost instantly. If you'd like a copy, get ready to pay about $339.
18 Disco Elysium: The Final Cut (Collector’s Edition)
Estimated Value — $349
Disco Elysium
RPG Released October 15, 2019 Developer(s) ZA/UM
Winner of Best Independent Game at The Game Awards 2019, Disco Elysium is a CRPG featuring a thrilling neo-noir mystery. When Lieutenant Harrier Du Bois wakes up with amnesia, he must solve the baffling murder case while recovering his lost memories.
The collector's edition contains a hand-painted vinyl sculpture of the Mind Totem, a 190-page art book, and an illustrated fabric map of the game's setting. Over the years, the full bundle has become extremely rare, now costing roughly $349 — exactly $100 more than its initial price.
17 Night In The Woods (Collector's Edition)
Estimated Value — $356
Night In The Woods
Adventure Released February 21, 2017 Developer Infinite Fall
Often considered a must-play LGBTQ+ game, Night in the Woods is a side-scrolling mystery about Mae, a college dropout who returns home to discover the townsfolk are going missing. Thanks to its emotional story, well-written characters, and fantastic LGBTQ+ representation, Night in the Woods has one of the most gripping and inclusive narratives on Switch.
If you were lucky enough to order the Collector's Edition before it sold out, you received an acrylic standee set of Possum Springs, a copy of Mae's journal, a set of glow-in-the-dark art cards, and even a planisphere. To add all of that to your collection, you'll need to drop roughly $356.
16 The Messenger
Estimated Value — $357
The Messenger
Platformer Released August 30, 2018 Developer(s) Sabotage
Part Metroidvania and part Ninja Gaiden spiritual successor, The Messenger is a genre-bending 2D platformer inspired by the Sega Genesis. In addition to its tight platforming and hilarious writing, the game is known for its time travel mechanic, which lets you switch between 8-bit and 16-bit graphics.
The Messenger only had a limited physical launch, and despite the lack of any special collectibles or perks, it now costs a fortune. The cartridge by itself is worth six times more than the digital version. A complete, unopened copy is even more expensive, costing around $357.
15 River City Girls (Classic Edition)
Estimated Value — $371
River City Girls
Beat 'Em Up Released September 5, 2019 Developer(s) WayForward Technologies
Developed by WayFoward, River City Girls is a retro-inspired arcade-style beat 'em up. Take control of high school students Kyoko and Misako, who must take on the city's toughest thugs to save their kidnapped boyfriends. The game quickly developed a loyal fanbase thanks to its eye-catching art style, quirky sense of humor, and excellent co-op multiplayer.
Those who ordered the limited Classic Edition received a slew of collectibles, ranging from a CD soundtrack and poster to more unique perks like a heart-shaped locket, a decorative NES cartridge, and Kyoko and Misako's school ID cards. However, those treats come with a steep price. Be prepared to spend about $371 for a full set.
14 Hollow Knight (Plush Bundle)
Estimated Value — $400
Hollow Knight
Metroidvania Released February 24, 2017 Developer(s) Team Cherry
Hollow Knight is celebrated as one of the best Metroidvanias on Nintendo Switch, thanks to its gorgeous hand-drawn art style, haunting Gothic setting, and mysterious lore. While a standard physical copy isn't difficult to find, the plushie bundle is unbelievably rare.
Launched as a Best Buy exclusive, this special edition included a ten-inch plushie of the Knight and a download code for the game. If you somehow manage to find one, you'll probably need to spend about $400 — a ridiculously expensive price given that it doesn't come with a cartridge.
13 Crymachina (Limited Edition)
Estimated Value — $425
Crymachina is an action RPG with a fascinating twist on the dystopian sci-fi genre. The plot follows Leben, who is about to die from a mysterious disease. Right before she takes her final breath, she wakes up in a post-apocalyptic future run by androids. Their goal? Find a way to create human beings.
The limited edition includes an art book, CD soundtrack, memorial art print, cloth poster, and acrylic display. The set was initially priced at $100 and has since quadrupled in value. A new and complete bundle will set you back about $425 — enough to buy seven copies of the standard version.
12 Outlast (Murkoff Briefcase Edition)
Estimated Value — $430
Outlast
Survival Horror Released November 4, 2013 Developer(s) Red Barrels
Horror fans undoubtedly recognize Outlast. When journalist Miles Upshur gets an anonymous tip about horrendous experimentation occurring at Mount Massive Asylum, he quickly finds himself trapped in a world of monsters, cannibals, and evil scientists.
Unfortunately, the only way to get a physical copy on Switch is to buy a rare limited version. Limited Run Games distributed the Outlast Murkoff Briefcase Edition, which contained the first two games in the series, a CD soundtrack, two reversible posters, and a two-part comic book. If you manage to find one, it'll likely cost you around $430.
11 Star Ocean: The Second Story R (Collector's Edition)
Estimated Value — $448
Star Ocean: The Second Story R
JRPG Released November 2, 2023 Developer(s) Gemdrops, Inc.
As a remake of a classic PS1 JRPG, Star Ocean: The Second Story R reimagines the tale of the space explorer Claude in a gorgeous 2.5D pixel art style. To celebrate the series' return, Square Enix published a limited collector's edition filled with all kinds of goodies.
The set includes a four-disc soundtrack with an exclusive collector's edition sleeve, a 40-page soft-cover art book, and 24 mini acrylic stands featuring pixel art of the game's main characters. It initially sold for $200 and has since doubled in price. Get ready to pay around $448 for a new copy.
10 Blasphemous (Collector's Edition)
Estimated Value — $450
Blasphemous
Released September 10, 2019 Developer(s) The Game Kitchen
Initially launched for the Switch eShop in 2019, Blasphemous is famous for its Metroidvania gameplay, punishing difficulty, engaging hack-and-slash combat, and thought-provoking story. Regular physical copies are already scarce, but the collector's edition is even rarer.
Published by Limited Run Games, the collector's edition came with a CD soundtrack, a double-sided poster, two pins, an art book, and, most impressively, a five-inch replica of the Mea Culpa sword. Originally costing $80, it has since quintupled in value. A new copy with all the collectibles will set you back roughly $450.
9 Bayonetta (Non-Stop Climax Edition)
Estimated Value — $488
Bayonetta
Action Released October 29, 2009
Bayonetta and its sequel came to Nintendo Switch in 2018. To celebrate, PlatinumGames launched a Japan-exclusive limited 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 was never launched outside Japan, Western collectors can still import it. At this point, though, the price is pretty high. A new copy is worth about $488. To put that into perspective, that's enough to buy a Nintendo Switch and six digital copies of the first Bayonetta.
8 Bloodstained: Ritual Of The Night (Signed Collector's Box)
Estimated Value — $520
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Action RPG Released June 18, 2019 Developer(s) ArtPlay
The Bloodstained series is known for filling the void left by Castlevania's absence. Despite its messy launch, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is widely considered a solid homage to Symphony of the Night. If you backed the game on Kickstarter, you got some special treats with your physical copy.
High-tier Kickstarter backers received a signed copy from Koji Igarashi, former producer of the Castlevania series. It also came with a CD soundtrack signed by the game's composer. If you're lucky enough to find one, brace yourself for a $520 price tag.
7 Shantae And The Pirate's Curse (Collector's Edition)
Estimated Value — $619
It's impossible to play a Shantae game without smiling unless you have to spend hundreds of dollars for a physical copy. Pirate's Curse follows the titular half-genie as she joins Risky Boots' gang to save Sequin Land from the Pirate Master.
Limited Run Games distributed the collector's edition, bundled with a decorative Game Boy Color cartridge and box, a double-sided poster, a CD soundtrack, and three art cards. 2,900 copies were produced, resulting in staggeringly expensive price tags on eBay. Collectors will likely spend around $619 for the complete set.
6 Persona 4 Golden (Midnight Channel Edition)
Estimated Value — $700
Initially a PS2 title, Persona 4 hit the Nintendo Switch in 2023 as the enhanced Golden version. This iconic JRPG follows a group of high school detectives who investigate a series of bizarre murders in which the victims are hung from TV antennas. Thanks to its mix of strategic life simulation, engaging dungeon-crawling, and gripping storytelling, it's considered one of the best RPGs on the console.
The limited Midnight Channel edition comes with a ton of goodies, including a trading card set, Yu Narukami's glasses, a statuette of Teddie, and a 3D shadow box depicting an all-out attack. The bundle launched with a whopping $200 price tag, which skyrocketed when supply ran out. Today, a complete copy costs around $700.
5 Cult Of The Lamb (True Believer's Edition)
Estimated Value — $750
Cult of the Lamb
RogueliteIndie GamesSimulation Released August 11, 2022 Developer(s) Massive Monster
Cult of the Lamb took the world by storm in 2022 with its engaging roguelike gameplay, cute storybook art style, and adorable characters performing unspeakably violent rituals. The True Believer edition is every fan's greatest dream yet every wallet's nightmare.
Initially priced at $255, the bundle included a Lamb plushie, a custom-made box, reversible cover art, an instruction booklet, a metallic paper art card, a signed 160-page hardcover art book, two acrylic art prints, and a digital soundtrack. The complete set is now worth around $750 — enough to buy the digital version 30 times.
4 Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & The Secret Hideout (Limited Edition)
Estimated Value — $750
Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout
JRPG Released October 29, 2019 Developer(s) Gust
Koei Tecmo's Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & The Secret Hideout follows the titular Ryza, an alchemist's apprentice who seeks adventure to escape her boring life. The gameplay blends turn-based combat with crafting mechanics, both of which involve alchemy.
The limited edition came with three art cards, an art book, a cloth poster, and an acrylic keychain. While the number of collectibles isn't nearly as high as other rare special editions, it still costs a hefty $750. With that money, you can buy two Nintendo Switch consoles and two full-priced games.
3 Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster (35th Anniversary Edition)
Estimated Value — $794
Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster reimagines the first six games in the series for modern consoles. Standard copies are incredibly pricey because the game had a limited physical launch. However, the anniversary edition is even more expensive.
In celebration of the series' 35th anniversary, Square Enix launched a special edition that included a two-disc vinyl record set, a 128-page hardcover art book, a lenticular sleeve for the game box, and eight figures of classic Final Fantasy characters. Since it was sold exclusively through Square's website, it has become incredibly rare since the supply ran out. Buying a new copy costs about $794.
2 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild (Master Edition)
Estimated Value — $948
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
ActionAdventure Released March 3, 2017 Developer(s) Nintendo EPD
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild needs no introduction. In 2017, Nintendo launched the Master Edition, which has since earned a spot among the rarest Zelda games of all time.
The Master Edition pulled out all the stops, including a Calamity Ganon tapestry, a weather-worn map of Hyrule, a CD soundtrack, a miniature statue of the Master Sword, and a Switch carrying case designed to look like a Sheikah Slate. If you want to add all those goodies to your collection, it'll cost you a mind-boggling amount of $948.
1 Gris (Signature Edition)
Estimated Value — $1,434
GRIS
PlatformerAdventureIndie GamesPuzzle Released December 13, 2018 Developer(s) Nomada Studio
You'd be hard-pressed to find a Switch game as beautiful as Gris. This exceptional 2D platformer follows a woman robbed of her voice while her world is stripped of color. As she explores, she slowly returns the hue to the land by bursting into tears after completing each segment. What this story means is up to you to interpret.
The beauty of Gris is matched only by an equally magnificent special version. The Signature Edition includes a gorgeous painting by the game's director, a vinyl record, sheet music for the game's soundtrack, and an art book. A new and complete copy of the set costs an average of $1,434, making it the rarest and most expensive Nintendo Switch game.
