Switch 2 Price Overshadows Reveal

The excitement surrounding the reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 was palpable, especially with its new graphical capabilities. While the absence of a new 3D Mario game since Super Mario Odyssey left some fans wanting (it's been almost eight years, and the wait feels endless!), the announcement of Mario Kart World, the return of Donkey Kong with Donkey Kong Bananza, and the intriguing The Duskbloods—a pseudo-successor to Bloodborne—stirred up considerable buzz. However, the conversation quickly shifted to a more pressing concern: the price of the Switch 2 and its accompanying ecosystem.

At $449.99, the console itself isn't outrageously priced for 2025 technology, but it's the additional costs that are raising eyebrows. The headline-grabber is Mario Kart World, priced at $80—a significant jump from the usual $60 to $70 range we're accustomed to. This price point suggests Nintendo is banking on the game's universal appeal at launch, especially given its promise of 24-player co-op and innovative features like GameChat and photo mode. Add the cost of extra Joy-Con controllers at $90 if you want to play with friends, and a Nintendo Online membership for global multiplayer, and the total investment starts to feel steep.

Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery

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On the flip side, there's an argument to be made for the value proposition. Given that Mario Kart World is likely to be the sole Mario Kart release on the Switch 2 for a while, akin to the decade-long run of Mario Kart 8, is $80 too much for a game that promises years of enjoyment? In an era where free-to-play games like Fortnite set different expectations for value, and a family movie outing can easily hit $80 for just a couple of hours, Mario Kart World might not seem so exorbitant over time.

While Donkey Kong Bananza is priced more modestly at $69.99, the $80 price tag on Kirby and the Forgotten Land and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for the Switch 2 raises concerns about a new pricing norm. This strategy is puzzling for a company known for being player-friendly, and it might encourage other publishers to follow suit, potentially setting a new standard that could affect future console generations.

PlayStation's approach to offering $10 upgrades for PS4 games transitioning to PS5, like Days Gone, provides a benchmark. If Nintendo follows suit with a similar pricing strategy for Switch games on the Switch 2, it might not face much resistance. However, if the upgrade cost is higher—$20 or $30—it 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 edition. This stark price difference raises questions about the potential upgrade cost. In the UK, the disparity is even more pronounced, with the Switch version at £45 and the Switch 2 at £75. If the original MSRP was $70, will the upgrade be just $10? If so, buying the Switch version and then the upgrade could save you nearly $20.

These considerations are speculative, but the only concrete information we have is that enhanced versions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom will be part of a Nintendo Online + Expansion Pack membership, currently priced at $49.99 annually. If this price holds, it's a reasonable deal for access to upgraded games. However, the implications for those who cancel their membership remain unclear—will they lose access to the enhanced versions?

The decision to charge for the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour adds another layer of complexity. This virtual exhibition, filled with minigames, feels like something that should be included with the console, much like Astro's Playroom was with the PS5. While Astro's Playroom was a generous introduction to the PS5, the Switch 2 Welcome Tour seems more like a missed opportunity for Nintendo to showcase its innovation and welcome new users in a more inclusive manner.

Despite these concerns, I don't believe the Switch 2 represents a step backward for Nintendo. The original Switch's success and its extensive library of games provide a solid foundation. The Switch 2 itself looks like a promising evolution, and the games showcased so far are impressive. However, Nintendo must tread carefully with pricing to avoid setting a precedent that could alienate its fanbase. The hope is that $80 won't become the new standard for video games.

While the cost of the Switch 2 and its ecosystem didn't completely overshadow the reveal for me, it certainly tempered the excitement. Nintendo has the potential to deliver a fantastic gaming experience with the Switch 2, but it needs to ensure that the price of entry doesn't become a barrier to that enjoyment.