Switch 2 Price Overshadows Reveal

The excitement of a new console reveal is always palpable, and Nintendo's unveiling of the Switch 2 was no exception. The new graphical capabilities have certainly turned heads, even if we're still waiting on a new 3D Mario game (it's been nearly eight years since Super Mario Odyssey—come on, Nintendo!). Instead, we've been treated to an open-world Mario Kart World, a revival of Donkey Kong with "Donkey Kong Bananza," and a game that echoes Bloodborne called "The Duskbloods." However, the buzz around the reveal has been largely overshadowed by the price—not just of the console itself at $449.99, but the total cost of entry to fully enjoy what the Switch 2 has to offer.

The $80 price tag for Mario Kart World has caught many by surprise, especially when we're accustomed to games costing $60 or $70. It's easy to feel like Nintendo is pushing the boundaries with this price, knowing it's a must-have at launch. Add in the cost of additional Joy-Con controllers at $90 if you want to enjoy multiplayer, and the mandatory Nintendo Online subscription for global play, and the expenses quickly add up. The reveal trailer's emphasis on 24-player co-op and new social features like GameChat and photo mode makes it hard not to view this pricing strategy as somewhat cynical.

Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery

91 ImagesOn the flip side, some argue that the value of Mario Kart World, likely the only one of its kind for the Switch 2, justifies the $80 price. Given its potential to provide years of entertainment, it might be a fair trade. In an era dominated by free-to-play games like Fortnite, where players can spend equivalent amounts on in-game purchases over time, the perspective on value for money has shifted. When you consider that a family movie outing can easily hit $80 for just a couple of hours, a decade of Mario Kart enjoyment doesn't seem so steep.

It's worth noting that not all games are priced at $80; Donkey Kong Bananza is listed at $69.99. This suggests Nintendo might be leveraging the popularity of Mario Kart to push higher prices, setting a potentially risky precedent. With other Switch 2 titles like Kirby and the Forgotten Land and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom also at $80, it raises concerns about future pricing trends in the gaming industry. Could this lead other publishers to follow suit? Eyes are on you, GTA 6.

PlayStation has been offering $10 upgrades for some PS4 games to PS5 versions, like the upcoming Days Gone upgrade. The pricing for enhanced Switch games on the Switch 2 remains undisclosed. If it follows Sony's model, a $10 upgrade for improved performance and additional content might be acceptable. But if it jumps to $20 or $30, it could be a tough sell.

For instance, you can currently snag Tears of the Kingdom on Amazon for $52, significantly less than the Switch 2's $80 version. If the upgrade costs $10, buying the Switch version and upgrading could save you almost $20. In the UK, the price difference is even more pronounced, with the Switch version at £45 and the Switch 2 version at £75. These pricing decisions are still speculative, but the only clue we have is the enhanced versions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom available through a Nintendo Online + Expansion Pack membership, currently at $49.99 a year. Will the price increase? It's possible, given the trend with other subscription services.

Another perplexing choice is charging for the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, a virtual exhibition filled with minigames. This feels like something that should be included for free, akin to Astro's Playroom, which came with every PlayStation 5. Astro's Playroom not only showcased Sony's hardware but also paid homage to PlayStation's history in a way that felt like a nod to Nintendo's own inventive spirit. The Switch 2 Welcome Tour, in contrast, seems reminiscent of Sony's less generous approach during the PS3 launch.

While the cost of the Switch 2 and its ecosystem doesn't completely overshadow the reveal for me, it certainly dampens the overall excitement. Nintendo has the potential to deliver a fantastic gaming experience with the Switch 2, but the pricing strategy needs careful consideration to maintain its reputation for value and player satisfaction.