The excitement surrounding the reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 has been palpable, especially with its new graphical capabilities showcased in the open-world Mario Kart World, the return of Donkey Kong in Donkey Kong Bananza, and the intriguing new title, The Duskbloods. However, the buzz has been somewhat dampened by the price point of the console and its associated games and accessories. At $449.99, the Switch 2 itself isn't unreasonably priced for 2025 standards, but the total cost to fully enjoy the gaming experience raises eyebrows.
The spotlight has been on the $80 price tag for Mario Kart World, which feels steep compared to the usual $60 to $70 range we're accustomed to. The inclusion of additional joy-con controllers at $90 to enable multiplayer experiences, coupled with the necessity of a Nintendo Online membership for global play, adds up quickly. The reveal's emphasis on 24-player co-op and new social features like GameChat and photo mode only amplifies the concern that Nintendo might be pushing the boundaries of what's acceptable in terms of cost.
Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery
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On the flip side, there's an argument to be made about the value proposition. Given Mario Kart's track record of longevity, spending $80 on a game that could provide years of entertainment might not be unreasonable. In a landscape dominated by free-to-play titles like Fortnite, where players often spend similar amounts on in-game purchases, the value of a premium, long-lasting game like Mario Kart World could be seen as justified. Yet, when comparing it to other forms of entertainment, such as a family movie outing, the price still stings.
While Donkey Kong Bananza comes in at a more palatable $69.99, the $80 price for other major titles like Kirby and the Forgotten Land and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on the Switch 2 sets a concerning precedent. It raises questions about whether this pricing strategy will become the norm across the industry, with eyes already turning to future releases like GTA 6.
The issue of upgrading older games to the Switch 2 version adds another layer of complexity. PlayStation has set a precedent with $10 upgrades for its PS4 games to PS5, a model that's been generally well-received. If Nintendo follows suit with a similar pricing strategy for enhancing Switch games to the Switch 2, it might be acceptable. However, a higher upgrade cost could deter many from investing in these enhancements.
For instance, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is currently available for $52 on Amazon, significantly less than the $80 Switch 2 version. If the upgrade cost is reasonable, savvy consumers might opt to buy the original and upgrade later, saving money in the process.While these are speculative scenarios, the current pricing model for enhanced versions of games like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom through the Nintendo Online + Expansion Pack membership at $49.99 a year offers some insight. However, the uncertainty around what happens to these enhanced versions if one cancels their membership adds to the confusion.
The decision to charge for the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, a virtual exhibition with minigames, feels particularly out of touch. It evokes memories of free offerings like Astro's Playroom on the PlayStation 5, which celebrated the console's launch with a generous and inventive platformer. The Switch 2 Welcome Tour, in contrast, feels like a missed opportunity to warmly welcome new users to the console.
AnswerSee ResultsDespite these pricing concerns, the Switch 2 itself promises to be a solid evolution of its predecessor, with a strong lineup of games on the horizon. The hope is that Nintendo will heed the feedback on pricing and adjust accordingly to maintain its reputation for player-first experiences. While the cost of the Switch 2 and its ecosystem doesn't completely overshadow the reveal, it certainly tempers the excitement and raises questions about the future of game pricing.
