Switch 2 Price Overshadows Reveal

There’s no denying the excitement surrounding the reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2, especially with its enhanced graphical capabilities. While fans eagerly await a new 3D Mario game—now nearly eight years since Super Mario Odyssey—the reveal showcased other exciting titles like the open-world Mario Kart World, the return of Donkey Kong in Donkey Kong Bananza, and The Duskbloods, a game reminiscent of Bloodborne. However, the buzz around the new console has been somewhat overshadowed by its pricing. At $449.99, the console itself isn't considered exorbitantly priced for 2025 technology, but the cost of games and accessories needed to fully enjoy the Switch 2 experience has sparked debate. Is the price of admission to Nintendo's latest offerings truly too steep? Let's delve into it.

The $80 price tag on Mario Kart World has grabbed headlines, a significant jump from the typical $60 to $70 we've grown accustomed to. It's easy to feel that Nintendo is capitalizing on the game's anticipated popularity at launch. Add to that the cost of additional Joy-Con controllers at $90 for multiplayer fun, and the mandatory Nintendo Online membership for global play, and the expenses quickly mount. The reveal trailer highlighted 24-player co-op and features like GameChat and photo mode, which only heighten the sense that Nintendo's pricing strategy might be a bit cynical.

Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery

91 ImagesOn the flip side, one could argue that the price reflects good value, particularly when considering the longevity of Mario Kart games. Given Mario Kart 8's decade-long reign, Mario Kart World could provide years of entertainment, making the $80 investment seem reasonable. In today's gaming landscape, where free-to-play games like Fortnite dominate, our perception of value may be skewed. A player investing similar hours into Fortnite might spend $80 on battle passes and skins over five years. While these comparisons are not direct, they highlight the value of a game like Mario Kart, which could offer a decade of fun compared to a costly cinema outing for a family.

While Donkey Kong Bananza is priced at a more modest $69.99, suggesting Nintendo might be testing the waters with Mario Kart's pricing, the $80 price point for other Switch 2 titles like Kirby and the Forgotten Land and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom raises concerns. It's a strategy that could set a worrying precedent, prompting other publishers to follow suit with higher game prices. GTA 6, we're watching you.

PlayStation's approach of offering $10 upgrades for PS4 games transitioning to PS5, such as Days Gone, sets a benchmark. The cost for enhanced versions of Switch games on the Switch 2 remains undisclosed. If Nintendo follows suit with a $10 upgrade fee for improvements like higher frame rates, 4K resolution, and additional content, it might be well-received. However, a $20 or $30 upgrade could deter many from investing.

For instance, you can purchase Tears of the Kingdom on Amazon for $52, a significant $28 less than the Switch 2 version. If the upgrade is around $10, it might be more economical to buy the Switch version and then the upgrade. In the UK, the difference is even more pronounced, with the Switch version at £45 and the Switch 2 version at £75. These pricing discrepancies raise questions about the value of the upgrades.

While these are speculations, the only clue we have is the enhanced versions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom being part of a Nintendo Online + Expansion Pack membership, currently priced at $49.99 annually. If the price doesn't increase soon (though it might, given trends like Netflix's escalating fees), an upgraded Zelda as part of that membership isn't a bad deal. However, what happens if you cancel your membership? Do you revert to playing at 1080p with less stable frame rates? These are crucial questions that need answers.

Finally, the decision to charge for the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, a virtual exhibition with minigames, feels out of place. Such an experience typically comes bundled with new consoles, much like Astro's Playroom with the PlayStation 5. That game was a generous offering, celebrating PlayStation's history and innovation in a way that felt inspired by Nintendo's approach with Wii Sports. In contrast, the Switch 2 Welcome Tour seems more like a nod to Sony's expensive PS3 launch strategy, 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 represent a step backward for Nintendo like Sony's high-definition generation launch did. With the momentum and goodwill from the original Switch, and its vast library of games, Nintendo has a solid foundation. The Switch 2 itself looks like a promising evolution, and the games revealed so far are impressive. However, I hope Nintendo heeds the backlash regarding the pricing of its launch titles and doesn't set $80 as the new standard for video games.

While the cost of the Switch 2 and its accompanying ecosystem of games, upgrades, and peripherals has somewhat overshadowed the reveal, it hasn't completely eclipsed the excitement for me. Nonetheless, it's clear that the pricing strategy has not been universally embraced as Nintendo might have hoped.