Switch 2 Price Overshadows Reveal

There’s no denying the excitement of a new console reveal, and Nintendo certainly delivered when it came to the new graphical capabilities of the Switch 2. Despite still no sign of a new 3D Mario game (it’s been almost eight years since Super Mario Odyssey, and the wait continues), the reveal showcased the open-world Mario Kart World, the return of Donkey Kong with Donkey Kong Bananza, and a pseudo-successor to Bloodborne with The Duskbloods. However, one aspect has overshadowed everything—the price. Not just the console itself, priced at $449.99, but also the cost of games and accessories needed to fully enjoy the Switch 2. So, is the price of admission to Nintendo’s new toys really too high? Let’s delve deeper.

The $80 price tag on Mario Kart World has been a major talking point. It’s a significant jump from the usual $60 or $70 price points we’re accustomed to. The initial reaction might be that it’s too much, especially since Nintendo knows it's a must-have at launch. 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 emphasized 24-player co-op and roaming the world with friends using new GameChat and photo mode features, making it hard not to feel a bit of cynicism about the pricing strategy.

Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery

91 ImagesOn the flip side, there’s an argument to be made about value for money. Mario Kart World could be the only Mario Kart game on the Switch 2, similar to Mario Kart 8’s longevity. Is $80 justified for a game that promises years of enjoyment? In an era where free-to-play games like Fortnite dominate, our perception of value may be skewed. Someone who spends as much time playing Fortnite over five years as a Mario Kart enthusiast might easily spend $80 on battle passes and skins. While these are different experiences, a family movie outing can easily cost $80 for a couple of hours, making a decade of Mario Kart seem reasonable.

Donkey Kong Bananza, priced at $69.99, suggests that Nintendo might be flexing its pricing muscle with Mario Kart, given its immense popularity. Yet, 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 perplexing. For a company known for being player-friendly, it raises questions about whether other publishers will follow suit. GTA 6, we're watching you. It also brings up concerns about the cost of upgrading older games for new consoles.

PlayStation has set a precedent with $10 upgrades for some PS4 games to PS5, like the upcoming Days Gone. The cost for enhanced versions of Switch games on the Switch 2 remains undisclosed. If it mirrors Sony’s $10 price, it might be well-received for the improved frame rates, higher resolutions in 4K, and additional gameplay features. But a $20 or $30 upgrade might deter many from investing.

For instance, Tears of the Kingdom is currently available on Amazon for $52, significantly less than the $80 Switch 2 version. Hopefully, the upgrade won't be as steep. The price difference is even more pronounced in the UK, with the original Switch version at £45 and the Switch 2 version at £75. With the original MSRP at $70, a $10 upgrade would make sense. Why not buy the Switch version and then the upgrade for an additional $10, saving nearly $20?

These are speculative thoughts, but the only clue we have so far 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 per year. If the price doesn't increase soon (though it might, given the trends with services like Netflix), an upgraded Zelda within that subscription isn't a bad deal. But what happens if you cancel your membership? Do you revert to playing the less enhanced version 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 off. It’s reminiscent of a hardware pack-in, something you'd expect to be free upon booting up a new console for the first time. Astro’s Playroom came free with all PlayStation 5s, a generous platformer that celebrated PlayStation history while welcoming the new console. It seemed Sony took lessons from Nintendo and Wii Sports, whereas the Switch 2 Welcome Tour feels like Nintendo borrowing from Sony’s somewhat arrogant PS3 launch approach.

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 leap was. With the momentum and goodwill from the original Switch, and its extensive library of games, the Switch 2 is poised for success. The console itself looks like a solid, if not slightly conservative, improvement. The games revealed so far look promising, and there’s undoubtedly more to come (Mario, we’re waiting). I just hope Nintendo doesn’t let greed take over and learns from the immediate backlash to some of its launch offerings. No one wants $80 to become the new standard price for video games, so let’s hope Nintendo doesn’t push that boundary.

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 might have hoped for.