Switch 2 Price Overshadows Reveal

The excitement surrounding the reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 was palpable, especially with its new graphical capabilities. Yet, despite the absence of a new 3D Mario game (it's been nearly eight years since Super Mario Odyssey, and the wait is agonizing!), the announcement brought us the open-world Mario Kart World, the return of Donkey Kong with Donkey Kong Bananza, and The Duskbloods, a game that hints at being a spiritual successor to Bloodborne. However, the buzz around these titles was quickly overshadowed by the price tag associated with the Switch 2. While the console itself is priced at a reasonable $449.99 for 2025 technology, the real concern lies in the costs of games and accessories needed to fully enjoy the Switch 2 experience. Is the price of entry to Nintendo's new playground too steep? Let's delve into it.

The headline-grabbing $80 price for Mario Kart World has sparked considerable debate. In an era where $60 or $70 is the standard, this higher cost feels like a stretch. It's easy to argue that Nintendo is capitalizing on the game's universal appeal at launch. Add in the cost of extra Joy-Con controllers for multiplayer fun, which set you back another $90, and a Nintendo Online membership for global connectivity, and the expenses quickly add up. The reveal trailer's emphasis on 24-player co-op and features like GameChat and photo mode only heightens the sense of a calculated move.

Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery

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On the flip side, one could argue that Mario Kart World offers excellent value for money when considering the hours of enjoyment it promises. Given that it's likely the only Mario Kart game we'll see on the Switch 2 for a while, is $80 justified for a game that could entertain for years? With free-to-play games like Fortnite setting new norms, our perception of value might be skewed. After all, someone dedicating as much time to Fortnite over five years might end up spending $80 on battle passes and skins. While these are different kinds of games, a decade of Mario Kart fun for $80 doesn't seem too bad, especially when compared to a family movie outing that can cost the same for just a couple of hours.

Donkey Kong Bananza, priced at a more reasonable $69.99, suggests that Nintendo is aware of its pricing power with marquee titles like Mario Kart. Yet, with other Switch 2 titles like Kirby and the Forgotten Land and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom also tagged at $80, Nintendo's strategy is perplexing. For a company known for its player-friendly approach, this raises concerns about whether other publishers will follow suit with higher game prices. GTA 6, we're watching you. It also prompts questions about the cost of upgrading older games to the new console.

PlayStation has set a precedent with $10 upgrades for some PS4 games transitioning to PS5, like Days Gone. The pricing for enhanced Switch games on the Switch 2 remains undisclosed. If it mirrors Sony's approach, a $10 upgrade for improved frame rates, 4K resolution, and additional gameplay features might be well-received. However, a $20 or $30 upgrade could deter many from investing in these enhancements.

For instance, you can currently purchase Tears of the Kingdom on Amazon for $52, which is $28 less than the Switch 2 version. The price difference is even more pronounced in the UK, where the Switch version costs £45 compared to £75 for the Switch 2 edition. With the original Switch version of TOTK priced at $70, a $10 upgrade seems plausible. If so, why not buy the Switch version from Amazon and then get the upgrade for another $10, saving nearly $20?

These are speculative thoughts, but the only hint we have so far is the availability of enhanced versions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom through a Nintendo Online + Expansion Pack membership, currently priced at $49.99 annually. If the price doesn't increase in the next couple of months (though I wouldn't be shocked if it did, given that Netflix now charges an arm and a leg for Love is Blind), an upgraded Zelda as part of the membership isn't a bad deal. But what if you cancel your membership? Do you revert to playing at 1080p with less stable frame rates until you resubscribe? These are crucial questions that need answers.

Lastly, the decision to charge for the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is perhaps the most puzzling. This virtual exhibition filled with minigames feels like it should be a free pack-in, similar to what you'd expect when booting up a new console for the first time. Astro's Playroom, which came free with every PlayStation 5, was a generous nod to Nintendo's inventive spirit and a celebration of PlayStation's history. It seemed like Sony took the right lessons from Nintendo and Wii Sports, while the Switch 2 Welcome Tour feels like Nintendo adopting some of the arrogance Sony showed during the PS3's pricey launch.

I don't believe the Switch 2 will be a step backward for Nintendo like Sony's high-definition generation leap was. The original Switch's momentum and its vast library of games provide a strong foundation. The Switch 2 itself looks like a solid, if somewhat conservative, upgrade. The games showcased so far are impressive, and more are sure to follow (Mario, we're still waiting!). I just hope Nintendo doesn't let greed overshadow its offerings. No one wants $80 to become the new standard for video game prices, so let's hope Nintendo doesn't set that precedent.

Does the cost of the Switch 2 and its accompanying games, upgrades, and peripherals overshadow the reveal? Not entirely for me, but it certainly didn't lead to the universal acclaim Nintendo might have hoped for.