Sticker Shock: The Pricey Reality of the Switch 2 Reveal!

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At The Switch 2 unveiling, there were numerous standout moments – a fresh Mario Kart, a variety of ports, another original game from FromSoftware – yet what really stood out was the high cost associated with almost everything. Almost every aspect seemed to carry a hefty price tag, and this is quite unlike what Nintendo usually offers, and it unfortunately took some of the excitement out of the event.

The surprising aspect of unveiling Mario Kart World was undoubtedly its expensive price tag. This open-world racer, which promises to redefine the launch lineup, will retail for $79.99 on the eShop, and in some regions, it’ll cost even more if you buy it physically. It’s important to note that this isn’t a special edition with extra tracks or Baby Mario skins; it’s just the standard version of the game.

Tears of the Kingdom,” from the standard $59.99 to $69.99, a rise of $10 within just two years. This price increase is concerning on its own, but when viewed in a broader context, it serves as a noticeable indication to other game publishers that a starting price of $79.99 is now acceptable. Given that annualized franchises like Call of Duty and NBA 2K already incorporate numerous microtransactions, it seems likely that the upcoming editions of these games will also carry a price tag of $79.99. This trend was initially set by these two titles when they raised their prices to $69.99 in 2020.

Apart from the initial releases, other Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive titles such as “Tears of the Kingdom,” “Super Mario Party Jamboree,” and “Kirby and the Forgotten Lands” are priced at $79.99 each. Interestingly, the upgraded versions of games like “Breath of the Wild” and “Donkey Kong Bananza” (a new game in its own right) also retail for $69.99. Notably, “Breath of the Wild,” which was released in 2017, originally cost less than this price. Some upgrades of existing Switch games seem to be primarily updates, which many companies typically don’t charge for.

Nintendo games seldom experience price reductions, let alone significant ones, making high prices a consistent trend. It appears that Nintendo is leveraging upgrades as an opportunity to increase costs, which goes against the norm for most publishers. Instead, many publishers offer discounted bundles containing all additional content (DLC). The $59.99 bundle for Street Fighter 6 on Switch 2 exemplifies this customer-focused strategy by including all current DLC.

In simple terms, Mario Kart World is a massive game, contrasting with Welcome Tour, a smaller title dealing with the same issue. Welcome Tour, initially presented as an adorable tech demonstration showcasing the capabilities of the Switch 2, lost its charm when Nintendo announced it wouldn’t be free and would instead be sold at an undisclosed cost. This is strikingly similar to Astro’s Playroom, a more conventional game that served as both a technical demo and a popular platformer, offered for free.

The original cost of this console was surprisingly high, making it difficult to accept, given its price tag of $449.99 or $499.99. In contrast to Nintendo’s budget-friendly strategies that have served them well in the past, the Wii was introduced at a competitive price of $249.99, undercutting both the Xbox 360 and PS3. The DS had an affordable starting price of $149.99 compared to the PSP, while the 3DS and PlayStation Vita were initially priced at $249.99 each. However, low sales prompted Nintendo to reduce the 3DS’s price by $80, which turned out to be a brilliant, cost-cutting move that helped boost sales significantly.

The Switch 2 appears to be an advanced technological device, which is unusual for Nintendo products. However, it seems that in striving for more sophisticated hardware, affordability, a hallmark of many of their other devices, has taken a backseat. Similar to the original launch of the Switch, the release of the Switch 2 comes several years after the latest Sony and Microsoft consoles, and they are similarly priced at around $449.99 and $499.99 respectively. This price point may push it above the affordability threshold typically associated with Nintendo products. Although in reality, the price difference when considering inflation and compared to the original Switch is not significant, the higher price tag gives the impression of a more expensive product.

For the Switch 2, Nintendo is mandating the use of advanced microSD Express cards for game storage. Unlike many accessories for the original Switch, your current microSD cards may not be compatible with the new console. These cards offer faster performance and will help the Switch 2 perform on par with other systems using NVMe drives. However, they tend to cost two to three times as much as standard cards, which could add to the overall cost of purchasing a Switch 2. While not as expensive as the PlayStation Vita’s proprietary cards, this is another expense that comes with upgrading to the Switch 2.

Emulating the winning formula of the Switch could be beneficial for the Switch 2. However, it’s unfortunate that excessive tariffs are inflating prices on game-related and unrelated items alike. While a bright future and external economic factors can’t entirely excuse Nintendo, they do highlight the high costs that overshadowed this crucial Direct presentation. Here’s hoping that the Switch 2 will thrive due to Nintendo’s consistent focus on quality rather than succumbing to occasional price gouging.

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2025-04-03 19:43