The excitement surrounding the reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 is undeniable, especially with its impressive new graphical capabilities. While the absence of a new 3D Mario game continues to be felt—it's been nearly eight years since Super Mario Odyssey—Nintendo has introduced the open-world Mario Kart World, brought Donkey Kong back into the spotlight, and unveiled The Duskbloods, a game reminiscent of Bloodborne. However, the spotlight has quickly shifted to the pricing of the console and its accompanying games and accessories, sparking a debate on whether the cost of entry is too steep.
The console itself is priced at $449.99, which isn't unreasonable for cutting-edge technology in 2025. Yet, the real concern lies in the additional costs for games and accessories necessary to fully experience the Switch 2. The headline-grabbing $80 price tag for Mario Kart World has raised eyebrows, especially when gamers are accustomed to prices around $60 or $70. Adding to the cost, a new set of joy-cons for multiplayer fun is an additional $90, and a Nintendo Online membership is required for global play.
Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery
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On the flip side, some argue that Mario Kart World offers excellent value, considering it's likely to be the sole Mario Kart release on the Switch 2 for years to come, similar to Mario Kart 8. Is $80 justifiable for a game that promises endless hours of enjoyment? With free-to-play games like Fortnite setting new standards for value, it's worth considering if our expectations have shifted. After all, spending $80 on battle passes and skins over five years in Fortnite isn't uncommon. In comparison, a family cinema outing can easily hit $80 for a fleeting experience, making a decade of Mario Kart seem like a good deal.
Donkey Kong Bananza at $69.99 suggests that Nintendo might be pricing Mario Kart higher due to its immense popularity. However, with other titles like Kirby and the Forgotten Land and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom also priced at $80, it raises questions about future pricing strategies and whether other publishers will follow suit. The upcoming release of GTA 6 is particularly in focus.
PlayStation has set a precedent with $10 upgrades for PS4 games to PS5, as seen with Days Gone. The cost of upgrading Switch games to the Switch 2 remains a mystery, but if it follows Sony's model, it might be well-received. A $10 upgrade for enhanced performance and additional content could be seen as a fair deal, but anything higher might deter purchases.
For instance, *Tears of the Kingdom* is currently available on Amazon for $52, significantly less than the Switch 2 edition's $80. If the upgrade is priced at $10, why not buy the Switch version and the upgrade pack separately, saving nearly $20? These calculations are speculative, but the enhanced versions of *Breath of the Wild* and *Tears of the Kingdom* being part of the Nintendo Online + Expansion Pack membership at $49.99 annually could be a good deal—unless membership costs rise, which isn't out of the question.Another point of contention is the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, a virtual exhibition with minigames that feels like it should be a free inclusion with the console. Astro's Playroom came free with the PlayStation 5 and was a generous nod to both Nintendo's creativity and PlayStation's heritage. In contrast, the Switch 2's tour seems reminiscent of Sony's costly PS3 launch strategy.
AnswerSee ResultsDespite these concerns, the Switch 2 isn't likely to be a step back for Nintendo. With the momentum from the original Switch and a robust library of games, the console itself promises to be a safe yet impressive evolution. The games showcased so far are promising, and with more on the horizon, including hopefully a new Mario title, the future looks bright. However, Nintendo must be cautious not to alienate its fanbase with high prices. The industry doesn't need $80 to become the new norm for video games.While the cost of the Switch 2 and its ecosystem hasn't completely overshadowed the reveal for me, it has certainly tempered the excitement. Nintendo needs to tread carefully to ensure the Switch 2 lives up to the legacy of its predecessor.
