The thrill of a new console launch is undeniable, and Nintendo certainly showcased the impressive graphical power of the Switch 2. While we're still waiting for a new 3D Mario adventure – it's been nearly eight years since Super Mario Odyssey, and the wait is palpable – the presentation delivered major news: an expansive Mario Kart World, the triumphant return of Donkey Kong, and a spiritual successor to Bloodborne titled The Duskbloods. Yet, one topic dominated the conversation: the price. It's not just the console's $449.99 tag, which is a reasonable ask for new tech in 2025, but the cumulative expense of the games and accessories needed for the complete experience. Is the cost of entry for Nintendo's new ecosystem simply too high? Let's break it down.
Much has been made about Mario Kart World's $80 price point. It's a significant jump in an era where $60 or $70 is the usual standard. Our first instinct is to call it excessive, a sign that Nintendo is capitalizing on a title it knows will be a system-seller. Factor in another set of Joy-Cons for multiplayer, and that's an additional $90. Want to play with others online? You'll need a Nintendo Online membership, which isn't free. It all adds up. When the reveal trailer heavily promoted 24-player co-op, global exploration with friends, and new features like GameChat and a photo mode, it's difficult not to feel the approach is slightly cynical.
Nintendo Switch 2 Console and Accessories Gallery
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On the other hand, you could argue it provides excellent value when you consider potential hours of enjoyment. Given that Mario Kart 8 enjoyed a decade-long lifespan, World is likely to be the only Mario Kart game for the Switch 2 generation. Is $80 a fair price for a game that will offer entertainment for years? In a market dominated by free-to-play titles like Fortnite, have our perceptions of value shifted? A dedicated Fortnite player may easily spend $80 on battle passes and cosmetic items over five years. These are different models, of course, but when a single family trip to the movies can cost $80 for a couple of hours, a decade of Mario Kart seems more justifiable.
Notably, Donkey Kong Bananza is priced more conventionally at $69.99, suggesting Nintendo is aware it can command a premium for its flagship Mario Kart series. This sets a concerning precedent, especially with the Switch 2 versions of Kirby and the Forgotten Land and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom also listed at $80. For a company historically seen as player-friendly, this strategy is puzzling and raises the question: will other publishers follow suit with higher prices? Everyone is watching Grand Theft Auto VI. It also highlights the future cost of upgrading existing games for new hardware generations.
PlayStation has managed this for years, often offering a $10 upgrade path for PS4 games moving to PS5, with Days Gone receiving such an update later this month. The upgrade fee for Switch games on the Switch 2 remains unconfirmed. A $10 charge for better performance, 4K resolution, and extra content would be widely accepted. However, a price of $20 or $30 would likely deter many players from investing in these enhanced versions.
To put it in perspective, you can currently find The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on Amazon for $52, a full $28 less than the new Switch 2 edition. The upgrade cost surely won't bridge that entire gap? The contrast is even sharper in the UK, where the Switch version costs £45 compared to £75 for the Switch 2 edition. The original Switch version's MSRP was $70, so does that imply a mere $10 upgrade fee? If so, why not purchase a discounted Switch copy and then get the upgrade for $10, saving nearly $20?
Admittedly, this is all speculation. Our only clue so far is that enhanced versions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are included with a Nintendo Online + Expansion Pack membership, currently $49.99 per year. If that price holds – though a future increase wouldn't be shocking, given trends in subscription services – access to an upgraded Zelda as part of a bundle isn't the worst value. But what happens if you cancel the subscription? Do you revert to the standard 1080p version? These are critical questions needing answers.
Perhaps the most confusing decision is charging for the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour. This virtual exhibition, filled with minigames, feels like a pack-in title, the kind of experience you'd expect to be pre-installed. Astro's Playroom was a free, delightful platformer included with every PlayStation 5, celebrating PlayStation's history while showcasing the new hardware. It felt like Sony learned from Nintendo's successful approach with Wii Sports. In contrast, the Switch 2 Welcome Tour feels like a page from Sony's PS3 playbook, a launch period criticized for its high costs and corporate overconfidence.
That said, I don't believe the Switch 2 will be a misstep for Nintendo on the scale of Sony's challenging transition to the HD era. The brand has enormous momentum and goodwill from the original Switch, not to mention a phenomenal game library. The console itself appears to be a solid, if not revolutionary, evolution of its predecessor. The showcased games look fantastic, with many more surely on the way. I simply hope Nintendo takes note of the immediate backlash against some of its pricing and avoids excessive greed. Nobody wants $80 to become the new standard for video games, so let's hope this isn't the start of a permanent trend.
Does the total cost of the Switch 2, its games, upgrades, and accessories completely eclipse the excitement of the reveal? For me, not entirely. But it certainly prevented the launch from being the unqualified success Nintendo was aiming for.
