The former head of Sony Interactive Entertainment America, Shawn Layden, has weighed in on the recent controversy surrounding Nintendo's pricing strategy for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. Priced at $449.99, the Switch 2 is $50 more than what some analysts had anticipated. Additionally, certain games like Mario Kart World are set at $79.99, marking a $10 increase over previous titles. Layden attributes the acceptance of these price hikes to the allure of Nintendo's exclusive titles.
Nintendo has introduced a limited-time bundle that includes the Switch 2 and Mario Kart World for $499.99, effectively reducing the game's cost by $30. However, the longevity of this offer remains uncertain due to potential tariff changes and a delay in U.S. pre-orders.
In addition to Mario Kart World, other titles such as Kirby and The Forgotten Land - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star Crossed World, Super Mario Party Jamboree - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition will also retail at $79.99. Layden, speaking on the PlayerDriven YouTube channel and podcast, contrasted Nintendo's strategy with those of Sony and Microsoft, noting that while the latter two are expanding to PCs and other consoles, Nintendo remains committed to exclusive releases on its own platforms.
"But if it’s the only place where you can play Mario, then you get your wallet out and you buy into it... and Donkey Kong and Zelda. That first-party exclusivity kind of mitigates the sticker shock, if you will, of these price hikes, because you want that content so bad," Layden explained.
Nintendo Switch 2 pricing in the U.S. includes:
- Nintendo Switch 2 by itself: $449.99
- Nintendo Switch 2 with Mario Kart World bundled in: $499.99
- Mario Kart World by itself: $79.99
- Donkey Kong Bananza: $69.99
- Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller: $79.99
- Nintendo Switch 2 Camera: $49.99
- Joy-Con 2 Controller pair: $89.99
- Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip: $34.99
- Joy-Con 2 Strap: $12.99
- Joy-Con 2 Wheel pair: $19.99
- Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Set: $109.99
- Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case and Screen Protector: $34.99
- Nintendo Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case: $79.99
- Nintendo Switch 2 AC Adapter: $29.99
Layden also discussed the general pricing of video games, arguing that despite nominal increases, game prices have actually decreased in real terms when adjusted for inflation. He suggested that a $5 increase per console generation would have brought current game prices to around $90.
"In 2025 dollars, $59.99 in 1999 is equivalent to $100. Your purchasing power compared to your cost of living, it's much smaller now than it was before, but still companies have been reluctant to push that price up," Layden said.
Nintendo Switch 2 Game Boxes
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In a recent interview with IGN, Nintendo of America's Vice President of Product and Player Experience, Bill Trinen, defended the $80 price tag of Mario Kart World, emphasizing the game's extensive content and value. Trinen encouraged fans to tune into an upcoming dedicated Mario Kart World Nintendo Direct for more insights into the game's features.
"I would say it's less about the strategy of pricing Mario Kart World, it's more just whenever we look at a given game, we just look at what is the experience, and what's the content, and what's the value?" Trinen remarked. He also highlighted the game's vastness and the numerous secrets players would discover, suggesting it would offer the richest Mario Kart experience to date.
Regarding the $80 price for other Switch 2 Edition games, Trinen explained that Nintendo assesses each game individually, focusing on its content and value. He noted that existing owners of certain games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom can upgrade for $9.99, and these upgrades are included in the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership.
"Well, again, what I would say is that we just look at each individual game and we look at the content and the value of that game, and then we say, 'what is the right price for the value of this entertainment?'" Trinen stated.
On the topic of the Switch 2's $450 price, Trinen acknowledged the rising costs of producing new technology but reiterated Nintendo's commitment to offering a valuable experience. He pointed out that the company strives to set an appropriate price based on the features and technology of the new console.
"Obviously the cost of everything goes up over time, and I personally would love if the cost of things didn't go up over time," Trinen told IGN. "But I think any time you're building a new system that's got new features and new tech, there's costs associated with that."
Concerns have been raised by some Nintendo fans about being priced out of the next generation due to the higher costs of the Switch 2 and its games, particularly in light of potential tariff increases.
