Switch 2 Pricing: Cheaper Than Some Nintendo Launches

The announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 at a price of $450 USD has certainly raised eyebrows, given the higher price tag compared to what we've traditionally seen from Nintendo. With rising production costs and economic factors such as tariffs, analysts had forecasted a minimum price of around $400 USD for the Switch 2. However, the real surprise came with the pricing of Switch 2 games, reaching the new standard of $70 USD and even peaking at $80 USD for titles like Mario Kart World. When considering the additional costs of accessories for the full Switch 2 experience, the total investment can quickly escalate.

To put the Switch 2's pricing into perspective, let's examine how it compares to previous Nintendo consoles when adjusted for inflation, as well as to other consoles in the market.

Nintendo Switch 2 Price Vs Previous Nintendo Consoles

NES

The original NES, launched in 1985 at $179 USD, would cost a staggering $523 USD in today's dollars when adjusted for inflation. That's a significant jump from its initial price.

SNES

The SNES, released in 1991 for $199 USD, would set you back $460 USD today. Despite being only $20 more than the NES at launch, inflation has made it quite pricey now.

Nintendo 64

The Nintendo 64, marking Nintendo's entry into 3D gaming in 1996, also launched at $199 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that's $400 USD in 2025 dollars.

Nintendo GameCube

The GameCube, which will see its games available on the Switch 2 via Nintendo Switch Online's classic library, was released in 2001 for $199 USD, or $359 USD today.

Wii

The Wii, a groundbreaking motion-controlled console, was introduced in 2006 at $249 USD, equating to about $394 USD in today's money.

Wii U

The Wii U, which didn't achieve the same success as its predecessor, hit the market in 2012 for $299 USD, translating to $415 USD today, making it closer to the Switch 2's price point.

Nintendo Switch

The highly successful Nintendo Switch was launched in 2017 for $299 USD, which is $387 USD in today's terms, still more affordable than the Switch 2 set to launch on June 5.

When looking at these inflation-adjusted prices, it's clear that the original NES would be the most expensive console launch in Nintendo's history. However, this historical context does little to ease the sticker shock of the Switch 2's price.

But what about the games?

While the console's price was somewhat anticipated, the pricing of Switch 2 games was a significant surprise. Games like Mario Kart World are priced at $80 USD, while others such as Donkey Kong Bananza come in at $70 USD ($65 digitally). Comparing these prices to the early days of the NES is challenging due to the wide variance in game prices back then. An NES game in the early '90s could cost anywhere from $34 USD to $45 USD, which translates to $98 USD to $130 USD in today's dollars. Despite this, the current pricing for Switch 2 games remains high, and there's speculation that prices could rise further.

It's worth noting that the Switch 2's price is on the higher end of Nintendo's historical pricing, surpassed only by the NES and SNES when adjusted for inflation. Real-world economic factors have influenced this pricing, as evidenced by Nintendo's announcement of a cheaper, region-locked Switch 2 for Japan at 49,980 JPY, or about $340 USD.

How Switch 2's Price Compares to Other Consoles

PlayStation 2

The PlayStation 2, the best-selling console of all time, was released in 2000 at $299 USD. Adjusted for inflation, it would cost $565 USD in 2025, making it more expensive than the Switch 2.

Xbox 360

The Xbox 360, Microsoft's most successful console, was released in 2005 for $299 USD, which would be about $500 USD today.

In conclusion, the Switch 2's price is competitive when compared to its predecessors and some of its rivals. For a deeper dive into the Switch 2, including hands-on experiences with the console and its games like Mario Kart World, as well as insights from analysts on the pricing strategy, check out IGN's comprehensive coverage.