Summary
- Nintendo has released new games for the Switch 2 at higher prices despite the console itself being $450.
- The launch title Mario Kart World is $10 more expensive than the average pricing for today’s games.
- Gamers understandably got frustrated with the news, but Nintendo cited reasons such as new features and tech as well as pricing both hardware and software for their value and appeal.
Many gamers are clearly dissatisfied with the increase in price of the Nintendo Switch 2. However, analysts say that it is actually a justifiable price and that the community may slowly come to accept it. Slowly, that’s for sure. The price reveal for the new Nintendo games for the Switch 2 just made fans angrier. Let’s look at why they are more expensive now, according to Nintendo officials and analysts.
Nintendo’s Explanation for the $450 Switch 2
The April 2 Nintendo Direct showcased everything to anticipate about the Switch 2, from bigger screens, higher resolutions, and new powerful features. Yet, much of the hype was put out by the $450 price announcement later that day.
Now, US president Donald Trump has imposed tariffs that would most certainly affect prices of most goods. The $450 price is already unacceptable for many, but there’s a possibility that it could even grow higher before the official launch in June.
The company’s Vice President of Player & Product Experience Bill Trinen defended this controversial cost when he spoke with IGN. He said that the new features and tech of the Switch 2 obviously comes with an additional cost. Prices of products just increase over time, and maybe you could say the same about what it takes to release the Switch 2.
Trinen added that Nintendo factors in the value and new features of the device to find appropriate pricing. He explained that they compare the experience of playing in both Switch consoles, saying cost comes with the ultimate value of the upgrades on the Switch 2.
Prices of New Nintendo Games on the Switch 2
It’s not only the console, though. New Nintendo games are also now more expensive. The most “absurd” price is that of the launch title Mario Kart World at $80. It’s the most expensive Nintendo game yet, $10 above the industry standard of $60-$70. Some Switch 2 Edition games are priced at similarly high price points, ranging from $70-$80.
This understandably caused even more frustration for the already-distraught gamers. For consolation, the Switch 2 Edition games can be upgraded for only $10 by those who already own the OG Switch versions. You also get a $30 discount for getting Mario Kart World in a bundle with the Switch 2, for a total of $500. However, this barely impressed newcomers who get too few discount options on top of high prices.
Why Are the New Nintendo Games So Expensive?
Analysts, most of whom predicted the Switch 2 price to be around $400, seem unsurprised by the higher price. The common answers were related to tariffs, worldwide inflation, and similarly controversial prices of competitors. That said, are these the same reasons that the new Nintendo games are ridiculously expensive now as well?
Bill Trinen’s explanation for the similarly high prices for the new games is the same as his thoughts about the console. He talked about the upcoming Nintendo Direct dedicated to Mario Kart World, which would hopefully reveal what justifies its price.
Trinen insisted that more than strategic pricing, they price them based on the content, experience, and value. In another interview with Polygon, he detailed that even more factors influence what they think are appropriate prices. For example, they lookt at the game’s length, the depth of experience, and what the players can and would enjoy.
What Analysts Have to Say
Analysts, however, have slightly different opinions. Some partially agree with Trinen’s sentiment about inflation. They say the $10 increase may not actually be unjustifiable as game prices have adjusted to inflation historically.
According to analyst Mat Piscatella, the high price may be Nintendo’s way to future-proof. The unpredictable market conditions make it difficult to start at standard pricing and make increases over time when the costs change. Yet, starting at these high prices may mean that they could lower them eventually.
Other analysts however think that Nintendo is intentionally trying to test the limit in game pricing today. If consumers turn out to be more tolerant than expected, then other titles might eventually follow this “new standard” or prices.
Apart from these, consumers may actually have to expect another increase in the future due to tariffs and how they change the market. While calls for Nintendo to lower their game and console prices are getting louder and louder, the opposite may just happen.
Community Reactions
The backlash following Nintendo’s price announcement come largely from the fear of a new trend of $80 games. Many gaming communities say it’s been hard enough having to purchase games for an average of $60 to $70 for the past years.
If Nintendo tries to change the industry standard and gets away with it, there’s no doubt that competitors and other brands will follow. The Mario Kart franchise is notably one of Nintendo’s best-performing ones, and so there’s high chances that this will succeed.
Conclusion
The new Nintendo Switch 2 releases on June 5, 2025 alongside multiple games including the $80 Mario Kart World. We have yet to see whether Nintendo gives in to the pressure from angry consumers. Alternatively, the new console and Nintendo games may become even more expensive. What do you think of the pricing for the new Nintendo games and the Switch 2?
