Switch 2 Priced Competitively Among Nintendo Consoles at Launch

The announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2's $450 USD price tag raised eyebrows, as it marks a significant increase over what we've typically seen from Nintendo. With the rise in production costs and economic factors such as tariffs, industry analysts had forecasted a minimum price of $400 USD for the Switch 2. However, the real surprise came with the pricing of Switch 2 games, which not only match the new $70 USD standard for new releases but can go as high as $80 USD for titles like Mario Kart World. When you factor in the cost of various accessories needed for the full Switch 2 experience, the total investment becomes quite substantial.

To put the Switch 2's pricing into perspective, let's compare its launch cost to that of previous Nintendo consoles, adjusted for inflation. The results may surprise you:

Nintendo Switch 2 Price Vs Previous Nintendo Consoles

NES

The NES launched in 1985 at $179 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that would be $523 USD in 2025, making it the most expensive Nintendo console at launch when considering inflation.

SNES

In 1991, the SNES hit the market for $199 USD. With inflation adjustments, it would cost $460 USD today, just above the Switch 2's price.

Nintendo 64

The Nintendo 64, released in 1996 at $199 USD, would equate to $400 USD in 2025 after adjusting for inflation.

Nintendo GameCube

The GameCube, available in 2001 for $199 USD, translates to $359 USD today. Its games will be accessible on the Switch 2 via the Nintendo Switch Online's classic library.

Wii

Launched in 2006 at $249 USD, the Wii's price adjusts to $394 USD in 2025, reflecting its status as a global phenomenon.

Wii U

The less successful Wii U debuted in 2012 at $299 USD, which equates to $415 USD today, closely aligning with the Switch 2's price point.

Nintendo Switch

The highly successful Nintendo Switch, released in 2017 for $299 USD, would be $387 USD in today's dollars, still below the Switch 2's price when it launches on June 5.

Despite the historical context, the Switch 2's price remains a tough pill to swallow, especially when compared to the inflation-adjusted costs of its predecessors.

But what about the games?

While the Switch 2's console price was anticipated, the pricing of its games caused a stir. Titles like Mario Kart World are set at $80 USD, while others such as Donkey Kong Bananza are priced at $70 USD (or $65 digitally). Comparing these to the early NES cartridges, which varied widely in price, some NES games in the early 90s cost up to $45 USD, or $130 USD in 2025 terms, while others were as low as $34 USD, or $98 USD today. Despite this, there's a growing concern that game prices might continue to rise.

The Switch 2's pricing is at the higher end of Nintendo's spectrum, surpassed only by the NES and SNES when adjusted for inflation. Real-world factors, such as the announcement of a cheaper, region-locked Switch 2 for Japan at 49,980 JPY or $340 USD, highlight the impact of these factors on pricing.

How Switch 2's Price Compares to Other Consoles

Let's see how the Switch 2's price compares to other notable consoles:

PlayStation 2

The PlayStation 2, launched in 2000 at $299 USD, would cost $565 USD in 2025 after adjusting for inflation, making it significantly more expensive than the Switch 2.

Xbox 360

The Xbox 360, released in 2005 for $299 USD, would be about $500 USD today, also higher than the Switch 2's price.

In conclusion, the Switch 2's pricing, while high, is competitive when compared to its predecessors and some rivals. For more insights, check out IGN's hands-on with the Switch 2 and games like Mario Kart World, as well as discussions with analysts on the factors driving the costs of the Switch 2 and its ecosystem.