Switch 2 Priced Lower Than Expected at Launch

The announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2's $450 USD price tag caught many by surprise, marking a significant increase over previous Nintendo console prices. This rise aligns with increased production costs and economic factors such as tariffs, which analysts anticipated would push the price to at least $400 USD. However, it was the pricing of the Switch 2 games that really turned heads, with new titles like Mario Kart World reaching up to $80 USD, while others like Donkey Kong Bananza are set at $70 USD, or $65 for digital versions. When you factor in the costs of additional accessories for the full Switch 2 experience, the total investment can quickly add up.

But how does the Switch 2's price compare when adjusted for inflation against previous Nintendo consoles? And how does it stack up against other gaming systems? Let's delve into the details.

Nintendo Switch 2 Price Vs Previous Nintendo Consoles

NES

The NES, launched in 1985 at $179 USD, would cost a whopping $523 USD in 2025 when adjusted for inflation. Despite the initial sticker shock, it's clear that the Switch 2's price is actually more competitive in today's terms.

SNES

Following up in 1991, the SNES retailed at $199 USD, translating to $460 USD today. This places it closer to the Switch 2's pricing, showing a trend of higher launch prices over time.

Nintendo 64

The Nintendo 64, released in 1996 at $199 USD, would be around $400 USD today. This aligns closely with the predictions for the Switch 2's price before its official announcement.

Nintendo GameCube

The GameCube, which debuted in 2001 for $199 USD, would cost about $359 USD now. Its games will also be accessible on the Switch 2 through the Nintendo Switch Online's classic library.

Wii

The innovative Wii, released in 2006 at $249 USD, would be approximately $394 USD today, showing a gradual increase in launch prices over the years.

Wii U

The Wii U, launched in 2012 for $299 USD, would be around $415 USD now, making it one of the pricier Nintendo consoles when adjusted for inflation.

Nintendo Switch

The highly successful Nintendo Switch, which hit the market in 2017 at $299 USD, would cost about $387 USD today. This makes the Switch 2's price a significant jump from its predecessor.

Despite these comparisons, the original NES remains the most expensive console Nintendo has ever launched when adjusted for inflation, highlighting that the Switch 2's price, while high, is not unprecedented in historical context.

But what about the games?

The pricing of Switch 2 games has been a focal point of discussion. With titles like Mario Kart World at $80 USD and others like Donkey Kong Bananza at $70 USD (or $65 digitally), the cost of gaming on the Switch 2 is noticeably higher. Comparing these prices to earlier console games, such as NES cartridges which ranged from $34 to $45 USD in the early 90s (or $98 to $130 USD in 2025), it's evident that game prices have been on an upward trajectory.

The Switch 2's pricing strategy reflects real-world economic pressures, as evidenced by the cheaper, region-locked version for Japan, priced at 49,980 JPY or $340 USD.

How Switch 2's Price Compares to Other Consoles

When comparing the Switch 2's price to other consoles, it's interesting to see how it stacks up.

PlayStation 2

The PlayStation 2, released in 2000 for $299 USD, would be $565 USD today, making it significantly more expensive than the Switch 2.

Xbox 360

The Xbox 360, launched in 2005 at $299 USD, would be around $500 USD in 2025, showing that the Switch 2's price is relatively competitive.

In summary, the Switch 2's price, while higher than its immediate predecessor, aligns with historical trends and economic factors. For more insights, check out IGN's hands-on with the Switch 2 and detailed analyses on game pricing and overall costs.