Global Outcry Over High Switch 2 Game Prices

Nintendo's release of the Switch 2 marks a significant moment for the gaming industry, but it arrives amidst global economic uncertainty, complicating its reception. The new console, priced at $450 USD, along with the $80 USD price tag for Mario Kart World, has sparked discussions about the affordability of gaming in today's economic climate.

To gauge global reactions, I consulted with editors from IGN's international branches, covering Europe, South America, and Asia. The consensus? Mixed feelings. The hardware upgrades, such as a 120hz refresh rate, HDR, and 4K output, are widely appreciated. However, the absence of an OLED screen is seen as a notable omission.

How the Rest of the World Feels About the Switch 2

IGN Italy's editor-in-chief, Alessandro Digioia, reports dissatisfaction among readers, primarily due to the price, the lack of an OLED screen, and a modest launch lineup. "Among hundreds of comments across news articles and social media, the main concerns revolve around the price point, the lack of an OLED screen, the absence of a trophy/achievement system, and a modest launch line-up," Digioia explains.

Pedro Pestana from IGN Portugal echoes these sentiments, emphasizing the lack of novelty in the Switch 2. "Personally, I'm not that impressed with Switch 2, as it is basically a souped-up Switch 1 - better in every sense, but without the novelty factor of the original. That being said, I reckon it's gonna come down to the games, and Mario Kart World looked damn nice," Pestana notes.

In contrast, regions like Benelux and Turkey show more enthusiasm for the hardware improvements. Nick Nijiland from IGN Benelux notes, "We have seen in our region that the console has been received very well. People complain about the price, but at the same time, the console sold out within hours." Ersin Kilic from IGN Turkey adds, "When I look at the comments, it is seen as positive that Nintendo corrected the points criticized on [the first] Switch. Although the console is stylish and uses LCD, the fact that the screen is much better was received positively." However, Kilic points out the criticism regarding the lack of Hall Effect in Joy-Con 2, which could have reduced Joy-Con drift issues.

In China, IGN's Kamui Ye observes a mixed reaction. "The reveal event has been met with widespread disappointment due to its lackluster launch title lineup and perplexing regional pricing strategies," Ye explains. Despite this, Ye notes, "Optimism persists among core fans regarding Nintendo's long-term plans," with faith in future software support and hardware refinements like magnetic Joy-Cons.

Hardware Price and Tariff Fears

Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 Console Slideshow

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The Switch 2 is set to launch at $450 USD in the US, with pre-orders delayed due to ongoing tariff issues. This situation has led Nintendo to reconsider its rollout strategy ahead of the June 5 release date.

In Europe, where tariffs are less of an issue, pre-orders are already underway. Antonia Dressler from IGN Germany comments, "In Germany, nobody is really worrying about the tariff situation regarding the Switch 2." However, she notes significant complaints about the console's pricing, with comparisons to the PS5, which is seen as a better value.

The Switch 2's price places it in direct competition with the PS5 and Xbox Series X globally. Zaid Kriel from IGN Africa states, "At the moment, Nintendo's official website is taking pre-orders and the price is R12,499. It is not crazy pricing, but it's now in the same bracket as the PS5 and Xbox Series X. It's no longer a cheaper alternative, and that could be a problem, especially with the increase in game prices Nintendo has introduced."

In Brazil, Matheus de Lucca from IGN Brazil highlights the impact of US tariffs on the region's market, noting, "The current tariff war initiated by the United States makes the scenario even worse for Brazil, since the Real is a weak currency compared to the dollar and an increase in the price of the Switch 2 in the United States will most likely have a huge impact on the whole of Latin America."

In Japan, Nintendo has introduced a region-locked version at a lower price to protect the domestic market. Daniel Robson from IGN Japan explains, "I think Nintendo knew they couldn’t go over 50,000 yen in Japan – the weak yen means the relative pricing scale is very different here. But presumably, they also realized that if the console was much cheaper here than anywhere else, people would try to import it or buy all the stock when they visit Japan. Hence the region lock – our cheaper Switch only plays Japanese games and supports only Japanese accounts."

Software Price Remains the Biggest Pain Point

Despite hardware and tariff concerns, the most significant issue for many is the price of software. The $80 USD price for Mario Kart World has been particularly contentious. Alessandro Digioia from IGN Italy notes, "Game pricing is by far the biggest issue raised, not only by our readers but by the Italian gaming community at large. Many feel that Nintendo's new pricing structure is unjustifiable, especially in light of recent increases that came with the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S era."

Antonia Dressler from IGN Germany adds, "People are pissed. Especially with the 90 Euro for Mario Kart World, that is a record for a video game in Germany; not even titles like Assassin’s Creed cost as much." The $10 charge for the Switch 2 Welcome Tour has also drawn criticism.

In China, where there are no official plans for a Switch 2 release, Kamui Ye reports that gamers might turn to the gray market, where games from Japan and Hong Kong are slightly cheaper. "Regarding pricing, game prices in Hong Kong and Japanese editions are relatively lower compared to Western markets. Observations from social media comments under our content show most players find the official price acceptable," Ye says.

Despite these challenges, the Switch 2 is poised to be a success, building on the legacy of one of the most popular consoles ever. However, the looming threat of $80 games during economic hardship, along with uncertainties surrounding tariffs and international politics, adds complexity to its launch. The excitement for the Switch 2 is undeniable, but it comes with significant caveats that could impact its global reception.