Switch 2 Price Overshadows Reveal

There's no denying the excitement of a new console reveal, and Nintendo certainly delivered with the new graphical capabilities of the Switch 2. Despite the absence of a new 3D Mario game (it's been nearly eight years since Super Mario Odyssey, and the wait continues), fans were treated to the open-world Mario Kart World, the return of Donkey Kong with Donkey Kong Bananza, and a pseudo-successor to Bloodborne called The Duskbloods. However, one aspect of the reveal has overshadowed everything else – the price. Not just the console itself, priced at $449.99, which isn't unreasonable for 2025 technology, but also the cost of games and accessories needed to fully enjoy the Switch 2. Is the price of entry to Nintendo's latest offerings really too high? Let's delve deeper.

The $80 price tag of Mario Kart World has drawn significant attention, especially when we're accustomed to games costing $60 or $70. It's easy to react negatively, feeling that Nintendo is capitalizing on its guaranteed launch title. Add in the cost of extra Joy-Con controllers for multiplayer fun at $90, and a Nintendo Online membership for global play, and the costs quickly add up. The reveal trailer's emphasis on 24-player co-op and features like GameChat and photo mode adds to the sense that these high prices might be a bit cynical.

Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery

91 Images

On the flip side, the value proposition of Mario Kart World could be seen as justified. Given Mario Kart 8's longevity, World is likely to be the sole Mario Kart game for the Switch 2, potentially offering years of entertainment. Is $80 a fair price for a game that promises long-term enjoyment? With free-to-play games like Fortnite setting new standards, our perception of value might be skewed. Someone who invests as much time in Fortnite as a Mario Kart enthusiast might easily spend $80 on in-game purchases over time. Though these comparisons are not direct, in an era where a family movie outing can cost $80 for a couple of hours, a decade of Mario Kart enjoyment doesn't seem excessive.

Donkey Kong Bananza, priced at a more modest $69.99, suggests that Nintendo might be leveraging the popularity of Mario Kart. However, with Switch 2 versions of Kirby and the Forgotten Land and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom also at $80, the pricing strategy is concerning. For a company known for being player-centric, it raises questions about whether other publishers will follow suit with higher game prices. Eyes are on GTA 6, among others. It also highlights future concerns about the cost of upgrading older games for new console generations.

PlayStation has set a precedent with $10 upgrades for some PS4 games to PS5, with Days Gone as a recent example. The cost for enhanced Switch games on the Switch 2 remains undisclosed. A $10 upgrade for improved frame rates, 4K resolution, and additional gameplay elements might be acceptable, but $20 or $30 could deter many from investing in these upgrades.

For instance, you can currently purchase Tears of the Kingdom on Amazon for $52, which is $28 less than the Switch 2 edition. The upgrade cost remains a mystery, but it's unlikely to be that high. The difference is even more pronounced in the UK, where the Switch version costs £45, but the Switch 2 version is £75. With the original Switch version of TOTK priced at $70, a $10 upgrade might be feasible. If so, why not buy the Switch version from Amazon and then add the $10 upgrade, saving nearly $20?

These are all speculative thoughts, but the only current indicator is the enhanced versions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom available with a Nintendo Online + Expansion Pack membership, currently priced at $49.99 a year. If the price doesn't increase in the next couple of months (though it might, given trends like Netflix's escalating costs), an upgraded Zelda as part of the membership isn't a bad deal. However, what happens if you cancel your membership? Do you revert to playing a less optimized version of Zelda until you resubscribe? These are crucial questions that need answers.

Lastly, the decision to charge for the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, a virtual exhibition with minigames, feels out of place. It's the kind of feature you'd expect to be included with the console. Astro's Playroom, which came free with every PlayStation 5, was a generous platformer that celebrated PlayStation's history and welcomed new users. It felt like Sony had learned from Nintendo's approach with Wii Sports. In contrast, the Switch 2 Welcome Tour seems reminiscent of Sony's expensive PS3 launch, which was met with criticism.

What Do You Think of the $449.99 Nintendo Switch 2 Price? ---------------------------------------------------------

Too expensiveCheaper than I was expectingAbout rightSomething else (let us know in the comments!)

AnswerSee ResultsI don't believe the Switch 2 will be a step backward for Nintendo like Sony's high-definition generation jump with the PS3. The momentum and goodwill from the original Switch, along with its extensive game library, provide a solid foundation. The Switch 2 itself looks like a promising, though somewhat conservative, upgrade. The games showcased so far appear impressive, with more expected to come (come on, Mario!). I just hope Nintendo doesn't let greed take over and learns from the immediate backlash against the high prices of some launch titles. No one wants $80 to become the new standard for video games, so let's hope Nintendo doesn't make that a reality.

Does the cost of the Switch 2 and its accompanying games, upgrades, and peripherals completely overshadow the reveal? Not entirely for me, but it certainly didn't lead to the universal success Nintendo likely anticipated.