Switch 2 Price Overshadows Reveal

The excitement surrounding the reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 was palpable, especially with the new graphical capabilities on display. While fans are still eagerly awaiting a new 3D Mario game—eight years after Super Mario Odyssey—the announcement of Mario Kart World, the return of Donkey Kong in Donkey Kong Bananza, and the intriguing new title, The Duskbloods, provided plenty to talk about. However, the conversation quickly shifted to the price of the new console and its ecosystem. At $449.99, the Switch 2 itself isn't an unreasonable cost for 2025 tech, but the real question is whether the total investment required to fully enjoy it is justified. Let's dive in and explore this further.

The spotlight has been firmly on the $80 price tag for Mario Kart World. This is a significant jump from the usual $60 to $70 we've come to expect, sparking immediate concerns about Nintendo capitalizing on its flagship titles. Add to that the cost of additional Joy-Con controllers at $90 for multiplayer fun, and the mandatory Nintendo Online subscription for global play, and the costs can quickly add up. With the reveal trailer heavily featuring 24-player co-op and social features like GameChat and photo mode, it's hard not to feel a bit of cynicism creeping in.

Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery

91 ImagesOn the flip side, the argument for value is compelling. Mario Kart World is poised to be the sole Mario Kart release for the Switch 2, potentially offering years of enjoyment. When you compare $80 to the cumulative costs of free-to-play games like Fortnite, which can easily reach the same amount through battle passes and skins over time, the price might seem more reasonable. Moreover, considering that a family movie outing can cost around $80 for just a couple of hours, a decade's worth of Mario Kart fun might not be too steep.

It's worth noting that Donkey Kong Bananza is priced at a more modest $69.99, suggesting that Nintendo might be selectively pricing its top-tier titles. However, with other high-profile games like Kirby and the Forgotten Land and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom also set at $80, it raises concerns about future pricing trends across the industry. Will other publishers follow suit? The upcoming GTA 6 release has everyone watching closely.

The issue of upgrading older games to the Switch 2 version adds another layer to the pricing discussion. PlayStation has set a precedent with $10 upgrades for some of its PS4 titles to PS5. If Nintendo follows a similar model for enhancing its Switch games, the outcry might be minimal. But if the upgrades cost $20 or $30, it could deter many from making the jump.

For instance, you can currently purchase The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for $52 on Amazon, a significant $28 less than the Switch 2 version. If the upgrade costs $10, it would make more sense to buy the original and then upgrade, saving nearly $20. This strategy becomes even more appealing in the UK, where the price difference is even more pronounced. The current MSRP for the original Switch version is $70, hinting that a $10 upgrade might be on the cards. However, the details are still up in the air, and the only concrete information we have is that enhanced versions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom will be available through the Nintendo Online + Expansion Pack, which costs $49.99 annually. What happens if you cancel your membership? Will you be stuck with the lower resolution versions until you resubscribe? These are crucial questions that need answers.

The decision to charge for the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour has also raised eyebrows. This virtual exhibition, filled with minigames, feels like it should be a free pack-in akin to Astro's Playroom on the PS5, which was a delightful and free introduction to the new console. The Switch 2 Welcome Tour, on the other hand, echoes the somewhat arrogant pricing strategy Sony used during the PS3 launch, which didn't sit well with consumers.

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 ResultsDespite these pricing concerns, I don't believe the Switch 2 will be a step backward for Nintendo. The momentum from the original Switch, coupled with its vast game library, should carry it forward. The console itself appears to be a solid, albeit safe, evolution of its predecessor, and the games showcased so far are promising. I'm hopeful that Nintendo will heed the feedback on pricing and not set $80 as the new norm for video games.

While the cost of the Switch 2 and its accompanying games, upgrades, and peripherals might not completely overshadow the reveal for me, it certainly cast a shadow over what could have been an unmitigated success for Nintendo.