The former head of Sony Interactive Entertainment America, Shawn Layden, has weighed in on the recent controversy surrounding Nintendo's pricing strategy for the Nintendo Switch 2. He suggests that the allure of exclusive Nintendo titles helps to cushion the impact of the higher prices. Last week, Nintendo announced that the Switch 2 would retail at $449.99, which is $50 more than some analysts expected. Additionally, certain games for the Switch 2, such as Mario Kart World, will cost $79.99, a $10 increase from previous titles.
Nintendo is currently offering a limited-time bundle that includes Mario Kart World with the Nintendo Switch 2 for $499.99, effectively reducing the game's price by $30. However, this deal may not last, especially with uncertainties around tariffs and Nintendo's decision to delay pre-orders in the U.S.
Mario Kart World isn't the only game priced at $80 for the Switch 2. Other titles, such as Kirby and The Forgotten Land - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star Crossed World, Super Mario Party Jamboree - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, will also cost $79.99. This pricing has sparked discussions among analysts and gamers alike, with IGN covering various perspectives on why Nintendo has opted for these price hikes.
In a recent interview on the PlayerDriven YouTube channel and podcast, Layden discussed how Nintendo's exclusive first-party titles, such as Mario, Donkey Kong, and Zelda, justify the price increase. "If it’s the only place where you can play Mario, then you get your wallet out and you buy into it," he remarked, highlighting the unique draw of Nintendo's exclusive content.
Layden also touched on the general pricing of video games, noting that when adjusted for inflation, the price of games should be around $90 today. He suggested that a $5 increase with each console generation would have normalized higher prices over time.
Nintendo Switch 2 Pricing in the U.S.
- Nintendo Switch 2 by itself: $449.99
- Nintendo Switch 2 with Mario Kart World bundled in: $499.99
- Mario Kart World by itself: $79.99
- Donkey Kong Bananza: $69.99
- Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller: $79.99
- Nintendo Switch 2 Camera: $49.99
- Joy-Con 2 Controller pair: $89.99
- Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip: $34.99
- Joy-Con 2 Strap: $12.99
- Joy-Con 2 Wheel pair: $19.99
- Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Set: $109.99
- Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case and Screen Protector: $34.99
- Nintendo Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case: $79.99
- Nintendo Switch 2 AC Adapter: $29.99
Nintendo Switch 2 Game Boxes
7 Images
IGN recently conducted an interview with Bill Trinen, Nintendo of America's Vice President of Product and Player Experience, at a Switch 2 preview event in New York. Trinen defended the $80 price tag for Mario Kart World by emphasizing the game's extensive content and value. He hinted at an upcoming dedicated Mario Kart World Nintendo Direct, which would reveal more about the game's offerings. "Mario Kart World is so big and so vast, and you will find so many little things in it to discover," Trinen stated, suggesting that the game's depth and secrets justify its cost.
Regarding the $80 price for other Switch 2 Edition games, Trinen noted that the pricing reflects the value of the entertainment provided. He mentioned that existing owners of games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild can upgrade for $9.99, and those with a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership get the upgrade packs included at no extra cost.
When addressing the overall pricing of the Switch 2 itself, Trinen acknowledged the rising costs associated with developing new technology but emphasized Nintendo's focus on delivering value. "We try to find the right appropriate price for a product based on that," he explained.
Despite these explanations, some Nintendo fans are worried that the higher prices, potentially exacerbated by tariffs, might make the next-generation console unaffordable for them.
