Well, here's a sweet deal just in time for Mario's 35th birthday celebrations. Next week, on 11th September, Walmart in the US will be selling a bundle containing a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller along with a download code for Super Mario Odyssey.
It'll set you back $99.99 and pre-orders are available right now. Here's what the packaging looks like:
If you do end up purchasing this bundle, keep in mind you'll also be able to use this Pro Controller with Super Mario 3D All-Stars and every single game in the limited-time collection. A Nintendo representative confirmed this with Polygon.
There's been no sighting of this outside of North America, fingers crossed we see something similar elsewhere. What do you think of this new bundle deal just in time for Mario's anniversary? Tell us down below.
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[source walmart.com, via twitter.com]
Comments (76)
That's a pretty bizarre bundle honestly.
@BenAV How so?
Ugh, Black color again.

Oh, well...
Swap with White shell replacement from Ebay.
It looks way much better.
@Kalmaro Seems a little random just throwing Odyssey in with a regular old Pro Controller. Could have at least done a special Mario themed one or something. Plus it's a game with motion controls with some things that can't be done with a Pro Controller. They're pretty insignificant and don't stop you from beating and enjoying the game so it doesn't really matter, but just add to it feeling like a strange fit to sell them together. Oh well, cheaper option for anyone who needs a Pro Controller and wants Odyssey digitally.
@BenAV
You can do all the motion stuff with the pro controller as well as the Joy-Con no problem.
Still, it is a very strange combo indeed. A nice deal, but a bit random.
This is a good deal, to be honest. Wish I waited.
It does seem a bit strange seeing a game bundled with a controller; doesn’t it? I mean, we’ve seen controllers bundled with games before (e.g. the Super Mario Party + Joy-Con bundle), but that came with a physical copy of the game plus a standard box.
Technically it shouldn’t make any difference if you’re not wedded to the idea physical media, but there’s just something novel about seeing the game playing second fiddle to the device with which you’ll play it.
Not that I’m opposed to the idea. I think it’s great. It’s just... novel.
@Anti-Matter not for me, I prefer the black. However, I wouldnt might a few colour variants
@Anti-Matter
That controller looks awesome!
@BenAV You make a valid point. Maybe would have been better to not only theme the controller as you said but make this bundle with joy cons instead since that's the definitive way to play the game.
I feel this is a couple years too late. I mean I get the heavy Mario 35th thing going on right now but I feel this would have been good around the time the game released. The Switch was still in it's infancy and not everyone had a pro controller and/or maybe were debating about getting a second one.
@Koldur Yes you are correct that you can use the pro controller for motion. However in my opinion it works best with the joy cons (the motions you do coincide better with what Mario is doing on screen with his hands). I tried both extensively when I got the game and that's what I got out of it. The joy cons were superior by far for the motion controls as it was intended.
If this was a themed controller I would assume the price would be significantly higher. This is a pretty good deal.
@Maxz @BenAV Reminds me of those games that came with a box of cereals. I think I got LEGO Racers with a package of cookies at some point. Croc was also part of a weird bundle at some point I believe...
@Maxz the other companies have done things like this, games bundled with controllers, where the main character is the controller.
On a funnier case, I remember some retailers started taping copies of Fallout 76 to controllers just to get rid of overstock.
@Koldur Fair enough. I thought that there were a few specific things that you couldn't do or at least were harder but I haven't played the game since like a week after it came out so I'm no expert, haha. At the very least they did seem to be pushing Joy-Con as the standard control method for the game.
Super missed opportunity for a red Pro Controller.
@Koldur if I recall correctly some moves were joycon only?
That's a...unique bundle. I still have the game though. lol
Bought this at release, and already have a pro controller. As the Switch is still selling like hotcakes, there will clearly be a number of people who have neither. Good deal for them, as you get the best controller and one of the best games for the console.
a pro controller with super mario odyssey? why? super mario odyssey is better with joycons and the game tell you. with joycons there are more motions
Might jump on this. Someone broke into my car and stole all my physical switch games so not a bad idea to get a pro controller while I'm working at getting them back
Really good deal, but I already have Odyssey digitally and a Smash Pro Controller.
I agree seems a bit random. Nothing which wasn't available individually. A nicer deal would have been the controller with a download code for any full-priced game.
Very expensive for a non-Mario themed controller
I'd pay $100 for an improved procon that won't develop analog stick drift.
This is a nice bundle if you just bought a Switch.
@Anti-Matter That’s awesome! How hard is it to replace the shells?
So sell the pro controller with the game that in it's first screen recommends you play using detached joycons?!
Okey dokey.
@WoomyNNYes Yeah, I would prefer if they fixed the analog stick drift problem on all their controllers first - something they could have easily fixed a long time ago with later revisions.
it's a decent deal if you are in the I need a pro controller and don't have Mario Odyssey camp. Unfortunately I am not in that camp.
Sweet deal, hopefully they do this with more 1st party games.
@Anti-Matter I swapped mine out for a clear blue which I absolutely love. But that solid white really catches the eye and has me wondering about a 2nd controller.
@__Link__ Not that hard at all, really. Just make sure you have the appropriate screwdrivers on hand, and maybe watch someone do it on YouTube first to build confidence.
If I didn't already own the game and the controller... I'd totally buy this.
@Desrever Thanks!
I would have totally grabbed one since I am in the market for Odyssey... But the absence or a physical version makes it an easy pass.
I can’t for the life of me get mario to throw his hat downward In the air with the pro-controller. Most other moves work fine though, just not as well as the joy-cons
This is nice but should've been bundled with a better game thats suited for the pro controller like splatoon 2 or zelda
@RustedHero If the Switch is still selling well, I'm not sure how this is too late. That would mean any potential new Switch owner is in the market for either Mario Odyssey and/or a Pro Controller
Mario Odyssey is the only Switch game I have played where I didn't use the pro controller.
Bizarre choice for a bundle.
Just patch the waggle boost into the button presses that’s what anyone means when they talk about the vapid motion controls in the game, they shouldn’t have been there in the first place considering they knew people would be playing the pro controller or in handheld mode and waggling those blows.
Perfect for me. We need another Pro, and I sold Oddesy b/c of that one difficulty curve you can negate with an amibo. Hollow Knight has taught me to love a game I can't necessarily one hundred percent. I'd play throght the first 800 moons again for sure.
That’s a good deal but honestly what kind of psychopath buys a Switch without buying Mario Odyssey?
@Likethepear Maybe this is meant for people buying new Switches who don’t have a pro controller or Odyssey yet.
@Anti-Matter Honestly the black controller is way nicer. I just prefer minimalist subtlety in my controllers personally. It's why I love controllers like the DualShock series from Sony
Smacks of a bundle for Christmas.
“Strange” pairing or not, this is a very nice value.
I got all this but anybody who does not have Odyssey yet buy it after 3d all stars.
A nice gift for those who had bought a Switch but not a Nintendo game yet.
@Judgedean Yeah, agreed. Joycons should have been fixed a long time ago.
Makes sense...and cents
I feel like Odyssey really got the short end of the stick in terms of collectors/special editions. You look at Breath of the Wild and it got several collectors editions whereas all Odyssey got was a limited edition Switch (which isn’t much help if you already have a Switch) and now also a download code with a Pro controller...
The Pro controller doesn’t really make much sense either considering Odyssey recommends playing with separated Joy-Cons for the motion controls. You’d think a stand-alone release of the red Joy-Cons would have made more sense than a Pro controller.
@noobish_hat Not really. PowerA controllers are crap. The only redeeming qualities the controllers have are the designs.
Definitely a nice (albeit slightly strange) deal if one doesn't own the two already. If I didn't already own Super Mario Odyssey, I'd pick this up since I don't have a pro controller yet.
...Still, this doesn't quite beat that Taiwanese retailer that bundled a Switch with a toilet seat.
For that price I'd love a Splatoon 2 / Pro Controller bundle!
That is NOT a good deal. Sheesh. Nintendo needs to learn to do sales better lol
I'd have considered buying this if it were a new controller color. What happened with Nintendo? We got themed controllers for Splatoon 2, Xenoblade and Smash... and then we just stopped getting them.
Where is the Luigi's Mansion green controller? How about Fire Emblem blue? At least Pokemon and AC got special edition consoles.
Or how about just basic different colors? Red, blue, green, yellow, white, orange, etc etc?
And why did they stop making new Joycon colors too?
It's just the shell. There's no development they have to do. Just put a different pigment into the plastic when you're making it!
Look at Sony and MS, or look at past Nintendo consoles. We used to have so many color options!
@TheFrenchiestFry
I prefer White color as it looks more toyish, cute and innocent.
Even almost all my video game devices are White color. (PS2 Slim, PS3 Slim, PS4 Slim, 3DS XL, Wii, My Joy Cons)
@Heavyarms55
I bought White Joy Cons shell replacement from Ebay 3 years ago as i didn't really like Neon Red color and i asked my local video game repairman to swap with White one.
@WoomyNNYes luckily it's much easier to repair than the joy cons. The drift on Procons.is usually dirt and can be fixed with compressed air and contact cleaner. Also, no special screw drivers needed to open it.
This didn't work for my joy cons and I needed to replace the sticks. Also quite easy, luckily...
@Heavyarms55 they even stopped doing old joy con colors. Grey ones are impossible to buy these days...
This deal is three years too late. And why digital? Come on, Nintendo!
@Heavyarms55 I reckon Covid killed the new (Mario red & blue) pro-controller colour.
Fingers crossed we'll get a gold pro-controller for Zelda's 35th next year.
If this had been Super Mario themed and landed in the U.K. then I would get it if it was cheaper than a £100. A nice red and white Mario controller with some nice features would have been worth it.
Why not cartridge?
Saw this at my local Walmart today.
@Anti-Matter I have used a couple replacement shells on my joycons too. But that shouldn't be a thing that we need for basic color options.
Holy moley, this game is already old enough to be toilet trained.
Solid deal. Too bad I already have both
Great deal. Pro controller was a must from the moment I first tried playing Splatoon 2. Mario Odyssey was great with my pro. If you don’t have Odyssey and was ever thinking about a pro controller, get this.
Equates to £75, get it released here Nintendo and I will buy it!
Nintendo offloading as much pro controller stock in anticipation of rev. 2.0 pro controller (ala better d-pad) and couple minor improvements.
For a second there I though this was a new model or something with the "Plus" there.
Switch Pro controller is up there as one of my favorite controllers together with the PS4 one, if they just fixed the D-Pad it'd be even better.
@BenAV You deserved first post with this one, my first thought as well. We bought the Mario Switch game bundle at launch w/ a faux Pro and it's made for 2-handed Joycon.
My second thought was - 74 comments and nobody mentioned the Switch Lite? I think the main reason for bundling Mario Odyssey w/ a Pro rather than a pair of Joycon is that the Switch Lite has Joycon built in*, but I have no idea how well they would do motion for this game built in. (*Lite really doesn't have any Joycon at all, it's just a screen w/ buttons, but that's a whole other post.) If they bundle Mario O w/ Joy con people w/ a Switch Lite might be like - Wait I just bought a Switch Lite "with built in Joycon" for $199 to save money and now you are telling me "I need to buy a pair of $70 Joycon to play Mario O? For that amount of money I just should have bought a Switch."
So that's why I think it's bundled w/ a Pro, people with a Lite may also want a Pro, but they don't want a pair of Joycon, if they did, they would have purchased a Switch, not a Lite.
I know it's kind of mean-spirited or whatever to blame it on the Switch Lite, but I honestly think that's the reason, and really the only reason, to bundle Mario O, a game that you pointed out is so split Joy-con control dependent - really is the only proper way to throw the hat in a circle around you - w/ a Pro rather than Joycon.
Sorry this is a day late but we were away. I probably wouldn't even have bothered but nobody mentioned the Lite.
@Koldur @Kalmaro
@UmbreonsPapa You make a good point. I'm just on the side of it being a odd bundle right at this moment. Especially for a game that pushes the joy con play style to a high degree. It is a good deal given the fact that separately they will cost you over $100.
It’s a great deal, I’m just concerned that those it’s best suited for won’t quite grasp the deal, or bundle as a whole. Most likely going to be utilized by late entry gamers that already know the want the pro controller when they pick up the Switch.
Get a dongle and an xbox one controller it's much better and better sticks and tiggers.
This is perfect. Pro controller for myself. Mario Odyssey for my spouce.
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