Nintendo Switch 2 Will Be Priced at $399 – Analyst

As Nintendo prepares to unveil more specifics about its upcoming console, the Switch 2, during an April 4 event, one topic generating much buzz is the potential cost of the new system. Some speculate that it will be priced comparably to the initial Nintendo Switch so as not to discourage existing customers with a steep price increase.

According to Joost van Dreunen, co-founder of SuperData Research, he anticipates that the price of Nintendo’s upcoming console, known as the Nintendo Switch 2, will be around $399. Van Dreunen explains that this price point represents a crucial psychological barrier which strikes a balance between ambitions for high-end hardware and ensuring accessibility within the mainstream market.

According to van Dreunen, the price point of the Switch 2 enables Nintendo to generate a profit upon its sale, all while maintaining a cost that’s significantly lower compared to other current market consoles. This advantage is crucial for the company because the new console is debuting in a vastly changed market compared to when the initial Switch was launched.

The surge of portable video game devices available for purchase has influenced Nintendo’s strategic decisions, as suggested by van Dreunen. Devices such as the Steam Deck provide PC gaming at prices lower than building a custom gaming computer. Nevertheless, Nintendo holds an advantage with its popular in-house games that frequently boost console sales significantly.

In simpler terms, the arrival of high-end portable devices such as Valve’s Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally doesn’t necessarily pose direct competition, but rather underscores Nintendo’s strategic advantage. Although these devices share a similar design, their price points above $549 and association with PC gaming platforms create distinct market categories. Nintendo has consistently shown it can keep its platform profitable by strategically setting prices.

van Dreunen points out that the Switch 2 is entering a market where console generations aren’t as clearly defined as they once were. Instead, consumers tend to prioritize maintaining their digital game collections. This seems to be something Nintendo has taken into account with the Switch 2’s backward compatibility feature.

According to van Dreunen, Nintendo’s eight-year tenure for the Switch aligns with broader industry trends that favor digital monetization over reliance on hardware updates. This suggests that Nintendo is strategically focusing on backward compatibility for the Switch 2 because they see platform longevity as essential to their efficient capital deployment model. Instead of relying on frequent hardware releases to drive growth, Nintendo is now prioritizing increasing software revenue and digital engagement across extended platform lifetimes.

Back in January, the Nintendo Switch 2 was finally revealed to the world! I’m super excited about it, even though we don’t have all the details just yet. But, the announcement gave us a peek at this next-gen console. Some cool new features that the future Nintendo Switch will boast include a bigger screen for better gameplay, an updated design with a focus on vibrant accent colors, and a novel way for the JoyCons to connect and disconnect from the system itself. Can’t wait to learn more about this beauty!

On the new Switch 2 model, you’ll find full compatibility with every game for the original Switch, whether they’re physical copies or downloaded digitally. Further information regarding specific titles will be shared later, but keep in mind that a few specialized games might not work on the new console.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’m eagerly awaiting any news about software support for the anticipated Switch 2. However, Nintendo has given us a tantalizing glimpse with their hint of a fresh Mario Kart title designed specifically for this console in their recent announcement video. The rumor mill is churning with tales that big names like Microsoft, Ubisoft, and Konami are secretly developing games for the Switch 2, which has me even more excited about what’s to come!

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2025-02-19 18:42