Nintendo Reluctantly Ushers Gamers Into Pricey $80 Era with Imminent Switch 2

Nintendo's hour-long demonstration did not include a price for the Switch 2. Customers eventually learned that the console would cost $450 through rumors. However, the initial release title Mario Kart World's $80 pricing was the true eye-watering surprise for many. In addition to being the highest price Nintendo has ever demanded from customers, it sends a message to the rest of the world: don't expect inexpensive games. From here, it will only become more costly.

Bundled Version Breaks Budget Expectations

The $500 Switch 2 that comes with the latest Mario Kart is too expensive for anyone except the vast majority of out-of-touch Lucille Bluths in the world. We've played a number of Switch 2 titles, such as Mario Kart World, and we're immediately captivated by the rapid pace of its 24-player community. However, the price of additional games with a lot of multiplayer choices isn't the only thing that has increased. Virtually all first-party Switch 2 games are going to cost more than they did before.

First-Party Titles Get Expensive Re-Releases

Some games, such as Donkey Kong Bananza, will retail for $70 when they first come out, but older games also cost that much. It will cost $70 to purchase the Switch 2 edition of the original Switch launch game, Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Kirby and The Forgotten Land and Super Mario Party Jamboree, which debuted late last year on the Nintendo Switch 1 for $60, will both be priced at $80 (though they should come with some more features and modes). This also applies to the new Mario Kart World and the Switch 2 version of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.