The MSI Claw A1M Core Ultra 5 135H was reported at $389.99 at Best Buy—$260 off—in an August 27, 2025 deal roundup. The same report listed several Nintendo Switch games for $39.99, or $20 off. Those are historical prices, not verified current offers.
What the August 2025 deal report listed
HotHardware’s Paul Lilly reported the following Best Buy prices on August 27, 2025. The savings are the article’s stated discounts; they do not establish today’s price or availability.
| Item | Reported price | Stated savings | Offer detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSI Claw A1M, Intel Core Ultra 5 135H | $389.99 | $260 | Best Buy clearance price reported by HotHardware. |
| MSI Claw A1M, Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | $524.99 | $175 | Best Buy price reported by HotHardware. |
| Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door | $39.99 | $20 | HotHardware said the price required adding the item to the cart. |
| World Championships NES Deluxe Set Edition | $39.99 | $20 | Reported game offer. |
| Mario & Luigi: Brothership | $39.99 | $20 | Reported game offer. |
| The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening | $39.99 | $20 | Reported game offer. |
| Super Mario Maker 2 | $39.99 | $20 | Reported game offer. |
| Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club | $39.99 | $20 | Reported game offer. |
| Mario Strikers: Battle League | $39.99 | $20 | Reported game offer. |
| Yoshi’s Crafted World | $39.99 | $20 | Reported game offer. |
All prices and discounts in the table are from the August 27, 2025 HotHardware report, not a current retailer check. The article described the games as first-party, but the available evidence does not establish Nintendo as publisher of every listed title.
Which MSI Claw configuration had the $260 discount?
The reported $389.99 clearance offer applied to the A1M configuration with an Intel Core Ultra 5 135H processor. HotHardware described it as having a 7-inch IPS touchscreen with 1920 × 1080 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, integrated Intel Arc graphics, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, a microSD reader, Thunderbolt 4, and a 53Wh battery. These are specifications reported in that article, not results from independent testing.
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#1 Best Overall
- High-Performance Computing: Harness the power of the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor to effortlessly handle demanding tasks. Enjoy reliable, high-performance computing wherever you go.
- Simplistic Design: Enjoy the latest generation of Windows 11 Home for your everyday needs. MSI recommends Windows 11 Pro for business use.
- Perfection Through Anthropometry: As a handheld device, Claw has achieved the optimal balance between its grip and weight. We have meticulously polished various design details, from the curvature that fits the palm, to the finger grip positions and trigger force.
- Best-in-Class Battery Life: Unlock exceptional gaming endurance with our breakthrough battery capacity. It's where efficient power meets robust performance—more game, less charge.
- 8-inch Smoothness Ready: Dive into the ultimate gaming experience with our 8-inch premium 120Hz gaming display, with exceptional color reproduction and smooth action.
The same report listed an A1M with the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H at $524.99, with stated savings of $175, and described that chip as a 16-core, 22-thread processor with integrated Arc graphics. The article did not provide a tested performance comparison or battery-life results for either configuration.
Are these deals still available?
The Claw and game prices above are dated to August 2025 and should not be treated as live offers. A later Nintendo of America Customer Appreciation Sale announcement, published September 10, 2026, described a separate promotion running September 12–26, 2026. It offered 30% off dozens of digital games and bundles, plus savings on select physical games and other products; Nintendo noted that offers could vary by retailer and sales channel. That promotion had ended by October 8, 2026, and does not confirm the earlier Best Buy prices.
Rank #2
- AI-Powered Performance: Harness the capabilities of the latest Intel Core Ultra 5 processor to effortlessly manage demanding tasks. Extend your productivity with the most powerful and reliable performance on the go.
- 7-inch Smoothness Ready: Dive into the ultimate gaming experience with our 7-inch premium 120Hz gaming display, with exceptional color reproduction and smooth action.
- Perfection Through Anthropometry: As a handheld device, Claw has achieved the optimal balance between its grip and weight. We have meticulously polished various design details, from the curvature that fits the palm, to the finger grip positions and trigger force.
- Best-in-Class Battery Life: Unlock exceptional gaming endurance with our breakthrough battery capacity. It's where efficient power meets robust performance—more game, less charge.
- MSI Center M provides dedicated interface designed for handheld devices with easy-to-use settings.
MSI’s handheld product page, accessed October 8, 2026, lists newer Claw models, including Claw 8 EX AI+, Claw A8, and Claw 8 AI+ / Claw 7 AI+ variants. The current lineup is context, not evidence that the older A1M is on clearance now. If checking an A1M listing, confirm the exact processor configuration, seller, condition, stock, return terms, and warranty before buying.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to verify before buying a Claw or a game
- For a handheld, match the processor and model number to the configuration you intend to buy; A1M variants are not interchangeable in the historical price report.
- Confirm the current price and stock directly with the retailer. Historical savings do not guarantee the same reference price or discount today.
- Check condition, return policy, and warranty on the actual listing, especially for clearance stock.
- For a game, confirm whether the offer is for a physical or digital edition, the sales channel, and that the listing is compatible with your Switch.
- For any MSI accessory, verify compatibility with the specific Claw generation. MSI’s official materials include a travel case and a 7-inch screen protector, but that alone does not establish compatibility with every model.
Official MSI product information is available at MSI’s handheld page; its accessories are shown in MSI’s handheld accessories section.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Intel Core Ultra 7 258V – AI-Powered Efficiency: Next-gen Series 2 processor delivers 50% better GPU performance and 40% higher efficiency. 47 NPU TOPS accelerate local AI tasks – from Copilot+ to real-time game optimization.
- 8" 120Hz VRR Touch Display: FHD+ IPS screen with 500 nits sunlight readability. 16:10 golden ratio and VRR support eliminate tearing. Perfect for AAA gaming, streaming, or productivity on the go.
- 80Whr Battery + Fast Charge: Massive 80Whr capacity beats most handhelds. Fast charge gets you back in action quickly. Game longer, worry less – whether on a flight or a long commute.
- Revolutionary Intraflow Cooling: Redesigned airflow keeps internal components cool, preventing thermal throttling. Hall Effect analog sticks and triggers offer drift-free, microscopic precision – built to last.
- Unlimited Expansion: Connect external GPU for desktop-class graphics, dual 4K displays, or high-speed storage. Wi-Fi 7 delivers 5.8 Gbps and 2ms latency – lag-free cloud gaming and downloads.
Rank #4
- PROCESSOR: Powered by Intel Core Ultra processor for exceptional gaming performance and efficient power management
- GAMING TECHNOLOGY: Features Intel XeSS technology for enhanced graphics and smoother frame rates in demanding games
- PORTABILITY: Handheld design optimised for on-the-go gaming, bringing console-quality gaming experiences anywhere
- COMPATIBILITY: Capable of running AAA gaming titles with impressive visual quality and responsive gameplay
- GAMING EXPERIENCE: Advanced thermal design and optimised controls ensure comfortable, extended gaming sessions
Rank #3
- AI-Powered Performance: Harness the capabilities of the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 processor to effortlessly manage demanding tasks. Extend your productivity with the most powerful and reliable performance on the go.
- Simplistic Design: Enjoy the latest generation of Windows 11 Home for your everyday needs. MSI recommends Windows 11 Pro for business use.
- Perfection Through Anthropometry: As a handheld device, Claw has achieved the optimal balance between its grip and weight. We have meticulously polished various design details, from the curvature that fits the palm, to the finger grip positions and trigger force.
- Best-in-Class Battery Life: Unlock exceptional gaming endurance with our breakthrough battery capacity. It's where efficient power meets robust performance—more game, less charge.
- 8-inch Smoothness Ready: Dive into the ultimate gaming experience with our 8-inch premium 120Hz gaming display, with exceptional color reproduction and smooth action.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
