Switch 2 Priced Lower Than Expected at Launch

The announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2's $450 USD price tag certainly raised eyebrows, given it's higher than what we've typically seen from Nintendo. However, with rising production costs and economic factors like tariffs, analysts had forecasted a price around $400 USD. Yet, the real surprise came with the pricing of Switch 2 games, which not only meet the new $70 USD standard but can go as high as $80 USD for titles like Mario Kart World. When you factor in the costs of various accessories needed for the full Switch 2 experience, the total investment becomes quite substantial.

To understand how the Switch 2's pricing compares, let's look at the launch costs of previous Nintendo consoles adjusted for inflation:

Nintendo Switch 2 Price Vs Previous Nintendo Consoles

NES

The NES, launched in 1985 at $179 USD, would cost a hefty $523 USD in 2025 dollars after inflation adjustment. That's a significant jump from its original price!

SNES

In 1991, the SNES hit the market at $199 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that would equate to $460 USD in 2025, showing a modest increase over the NES when considering inflation.

Nintendo 64

The Nintendo 64, released in 1996 for $199 USD, would now cost $400 USD after inflation adjustments, reflecting the continued trend of increasing costs.

Nintendo GameCube

The GameCube, which debuted in 2001 at $199 USD, would set you back $359 USD in today's terms, thanks to inflation. Its games are now accessible on the Switch 2 through Nintendo Switch Online's classic library.

Wii

The innovative Wii, launched in 2006 for $249 USD, would now be valued at $394 USD in 2025, showing a closer alignment with current pricing trends.

Wii U

The Wii U, released in 2012 for $299 USD, translates to $415 USD in 2025, making its price closer to the Switch 2's current pricing.

Nintendo Switch

The wildly successful Nintendo Switch, which launched in 2017 for $299 USD, would be priced at $387 USD today, still below the Switch 2's $450 USD, set to hit shelves on June 5.

Adjusted for inflation, the original NES emerges as the most expensive Nintendo console at launch. This historical context doesn't necessarily make the Switch 2's price more palatable, but it does provide perspective.

Credit: IGN

But what about the games?

While the Switch 2's console price was anticipated, the pricing of its games was a significant shock. With titles like Mario Kart World priced at $80 USD and others like Donkey Kong Bananza at $70 USD (or $65 digitally), the cost of gaming on the Switch 2 is notably high. Comparing this to the early days of the NES, where game prices varied widely, some NES games would cost up to $130 USD in today's dollars, while others were around $98 USD. Despite this, there's a growing concern that game prices might continue to rise.

The Switch 2's pricing falls on the higher end of Nintendo's spectrum, only surpassed by the inflation-adjusted costs of the NES and SNES. Economic factors have influenced this pricing, as evidenced by the cheaper, region-locked Switch 2 model for Japan, priced at 49,980 JPY or approximately $340 USD.

How Switch 2's Price Compares to Other Consoles

To further contextualize the Switch 2's pricing, let's compare it with other notable consoles:

PlayStation 2

The PlayStation 2, launched in 2000 at $299 USD, would cost a staggering $565 USD in 2025, highlighting the significant impact of inflation over time.

Xbox 360

The Xbox 360, released in 2005 for $299 USD, would now be priced at about $500 USD, showing how console prices have evolved.

Console prices adjust for inflation. The PS3 was super expensive! Image credit: IGN

In conclusion, the Switch 2's pricing strategy reflects current economic realities and aligns with the inflation-adjusted costs of its predecessors and competitors. For more insights, check out IGN's hands-on with the Switch 2 and analyses on why the Switch 2 and its ecosystem are priced as they are.