There's nothing worse than taking your Nintendo Switch on a long plane ride or some other extended outing, only to have the battery die after a couple hours (depending on how much battery the game uses). Luckily, Nintendo has finally answered this problem with a newer Switch model that extends the console's battery life, upgrading it from roughly 2.5-6.5 hours of playtime to 4.5-9 hours of playtime. That's a huge jump, and it's going to save you from needing to dock your console or fumble with a charger after just a couple of hours. The new model is available at some retailers now, and if you were hesitant about shelling out another $300 USD just to improve your battery life, GameStop's latest trade-in offer could make you reconsider.

Assuming you no longer need your original Switch, you can trade in the launch model for $225, up from the usual $200, as part of a limited-time deal at GameStop stores. Of course, that trade value is for a Switch in "full working condition." This brings the $300 Switch revision to $75, though you don't have to use the trade value exclusively towards it. This trade-in offer is valid until September 15.

This deal has led many to wonder if GameStop will allow in-store data transfer between an old console and the new Switch. While some lucky folks have been allowed to make the transfer at GameStop, the process likely won't be that simple for most people. We reached out to GameStop, and the retailer recommends following these steps if you want to transfer old data to a new Switch:

Purchase the new Nintendo Switch at GameStop and keep the receipt Take the new Switch home and perform the data transfer Bring the new Switch box and receipt back to GameStop, along with the old Switch you want to trade Receive a full refund for the new Switch you purchased Trade in your old Switch to receive $225 credit Re-purchase your new Switch using trade-in credit, paying only $75 to make the difference

We know--that's a lot of steps. But transferring data between two Nintendo Switches is quite the process in itself, so realistically, a retailer may not be able to help you do it in-store. We recommend speaking to a manager at your local GameStop about what you intend to do when making the initial purchase.

The Switch revision's upgraded battery life may be the star of the show, but the Tegra X1 processor also runs cooler, which in turn keeps your Switch from heating up as much. However, it's important to note that this is not a Switch Pro or equivalent to the upgraded consoles that the PS4 and Xbox One got. You won't see any increases in performance or loading time.

Of course, if you'd rather trade your old Switch in for a Nintendo Switch Lite, then you can use your $225 trade credit towards a pre-order for that instead. The Switch Lite costs $200 and releases on September 20, five days after this trade-in promotion ends, so you will need to live without your console for a little bit. You can pre-order the Switch Lite here. However, if you'd prefer to not trade in your Switch at all, or just don't own one yet, you can purchase the new Switch through the links below. If you decide to buy the console elsewhere, here's how to distinguish the new Switch from the older model.

Amazon

Nintendo Switch with Neon Joy-Con

Nintendo Switch with Gray Joy-Con

Best Buy

Nintendo Switch with Neon Joy-Con

Nintendo Switch with Gray Joy-Con