"Try Before You Buy" eShop Sale Offered North America‘s Biggest Discount Yet on Metroid Dread

Have you heard about the major Nintendo eShop sale that just concluded offering steep discounts on digital Switch games? If not, let me fill you in on an event you surely don‘t want to miss again – the annual "Try Before You Buy" sale.

This limited-time savings spectacular ran from September 29 up through October 25 driven by Nintendo as a vehicle to promote eShop game downloads. By slashing prices temporarily on hit titles, the sale pulls in droves of gamers to sample acclaimed titles and ideally convert more console owners into lifelong digital buyers.

Now in its second year, 2022‘s rendition made waves by featuring the single best discount ever on the widely-praised Nintendo Switch game Metroid Dread at 30% off. Given this game‘s immense popularity and glowing critical reception, I‘ll spotlight the savings later. First though, let‘s overview what makes this seasonal sale such a win for deal-seeking gamers.

"Try Before You Buy" Sale Quick Facts

• Timing: Ran September 29 – October 25 this year
• Platforms: All Nintendo – Switch, Wii U, 3DS, 2DS
• Format: Exclusive discounts on digital eShop game downloads
• Goal: Drive digital adoption by promoting eShop game sales
• Savings: Up to 30% off select titles – record for the sale
• 2022 Selection: 37 total games across top Nintendo franchises

As the stats above showcase, this sale is no slouch in the deals department! With over a month to capitalize on hundreds of markdowns across genres, it lets gamers economize budgets and trial multiple hits before purchase.

Next let‘s spotlight why this year‘s record-setting discount on the phenomenal Metroid Dread proved so enticing.

Metroid Dread 30% Off – Biggest Discount Yet

The headliner deal from the 2022 "Try Before You Buy" promotion was undoubtedly the 30% instant saving on Metroid Dread for Nintendo Switch. This marked the beloved game‘s largest price cut since launching in October 2021.

For context, Metroid Dread normally carries a $59.99 MSRP. But eShop buyers could snag it for just $41.99 during the month-long sale window – chopping a full $18 off the typical cost! Now that‘s savings worth jumping on.

And by all counts, Metroid Dread is a game that lives up to every dollar even at full sticker price…

Why Metroid Dread Deserves Full Spotlight

You may have seen Metroid Dread racking up universal acclaim across gaming critics and user reviews alike since release. Allow me to fully spotlight why this title exemplifies the pinnacle of action-adventure excellence.

Gameplay and Challenge

• Sharp signature mechanics like Morph Ball mode return with buttery smooth control optimized for Switch
• Open-ended level designs with hidden power-ups expand your mobility encouraging exploration
• Freedom to sequence break using special combos provides creative problems solving opportunities
• Classic Metroid formula blends beautifully with fresh platforming elements
• High difficulty constantly pushes your abilities without feeling unfair
• Finding optimal solutions to formidable bosses delivers immense satisfaction

Presentation

• Art direction pops with atmospheric environments like frozen alien tundras
• UI allows easy grasping of earned ability upgrades and completion progress
• Graphics push Switch‘s limits with abundant eye-popping set pieces using CGI assets
• Downloadable cosmetic upgrades let you tailor Samus‘ suit to your tastes
• Soundtrack sets the tone swinging from unsettling industrial tunes to upbeat triumph anthems

Quite simply, Dread stands toe-to-toe with the Switch‘s very best exclusives. It distills the entire franchise‘s triumphs – mysterious sci-fi premise, empowering character growth via new skills, ever-evolving world maps goading your curiosity, and demanding enemy encounters.

Interestingly, Metroid Dread has sold over 3 million units in under a year on shelves outpacing lifetime figures of previous Metroid releases.

So clearly fans worldwide recognize Dread‘s winning formula. But does 30% off do enough to push hesitant gamers off the fence? Let‘s deepen our analysis around the strategy and savings behind featuring Dread in the eShop sale.

Why Discount Hot Sellers Like Metroid Dread?

When a recently released title like Dread flies off eShop shelves, that typically signals less incentive for price drops. Yet this >30% reduction tied the game‘s largest markdown ever.

After some consideration around the timing here, I believe Nintendo‘s motivations become clear…

Drive Ongoing Digital Momentum

Reigniting sales velocity makes sense to bolster Metroid‘s brand power amidst a packed 2022 holiday season. The bounty hunter Samus Aran‘s re-emergence this year culminated with Metroid Prime Remastered also launching October 28 riding Dread‘s coattails.

With Prime similarly wowing critics and fans, the 30% Metroid Dread deal for Switch helps ensure the franchise seizes maximum spotlight through year‘s end. It empowers existing Metroid faithful while delighting newcomers.

Catch New eShop Visitors

Furthermore, sweeping more casual or budget-minded gamers under the eShop‘s umbrella builds crucial digital mindshare. Players initially attracted mainly by Dread‘s substantial discount may discover and purchase more digital-only indies or back catalog classics.

Once gamers realize the entire 500+ deep eShop library available instantly at their fingertips, this event graduates new lifelong digital adopters.

Fight Market Saturation

Finally, steep seasonal pricing cuts help combat any saturation given the packed 2022 release calendar. Spectacular, high-quality experiences like Elden Ring, Horizon Forbidden West, and Pokémon Legends: Arceus on competing platforms threaten to distract gamers.

So Nintendo gets ahead of any attention drift by re-incentivizing its newest headlining IP – Metroid Dread. Keeping Samus top of mind through the holidays now lays the groundwork for after-holiday sales momentum.

More Must-Buy Deals from the Super Sale

I would be remiss to not spotlight other can‘t-miss steals beyond Metroid Dread from this blockbuster limited-time "Try Before You Buy" sale event:

• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – $41.99 (30% off)
• Super Mario Odyssey – $41.99 (30% off)
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – $41.99 (30% off)
• Splatoon 3 – $35.99 (20% off – released Sept. 2022)
• Nintendo Switch Sports – $35.99 (20% off – released April 2022)

As these stellar examples prove, Nintendo utilized the sale across marquee first-party franchises both newer and classic. Longtime Nintendo devotees surely seized the uncommon price cuts to fill collection gaps while embracing nostalgia.

Concurrently, developing fans more recently initiated to characters like Inkling or familiar worlds from Mario‘s adventures received extra nudge towards digital game ownership. Based on the titles selected, Nintendo strategically targeted diverse gamer psychographics with broad appeal.

Should You Buy? Bottom Line Recap

In summary – absolutely tap into to the "Try Before You Buy" sale during future runs!

For deal hunter gamers like us, it simply does not get better than up to 30% off some of Nintendo‘s finest first-party offerings. The convenience of instantly accessible digital titles makes building an eShop backlog highly addictive.

Specifically regarding Metroid Dread, I cannot overstate securing this instant classic at its highest discount yet. With over three million global sales to date, you want to join the club experiencing Dread‘s glorious action-adventure thrills.

While this year‘s promotion expired, expect annual recurrence if not other loosely similar events. Nintendo loves spotlighting eShop gems!

So studiously watch the eShop for discounts on wishlisted games. And consider gifting some eShop credit this holiday season to share sweet savings in 2023!

Until next time, happy gaming and deal hunting! Let me know which Nintendo eShop deals catch your eye during the next sale.