The excitement surrounding the reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 was palpable, with the new console's graphical capabilities stealing the show. While fans eagerly await a new 3D Mario game—it's been almost eight years since Super Mario Odyssey—the reveal introduced Mario Kart World, an open-world racing adventure, alongside the return of Donkey Kong in Donkey Kong Bananza and a spiritual successor to Bloodborne titled The Duskbloods. However, the buzz around these titles was quickly overshadowed by the price discussion, not just for the console itself at $449.99, but also for the games and accessories needed to fully enjoy the Switch 2 experience.
The $80 price tag on Mario Kart World raised eyebrows, as it exceeds the typical $60 to $70 range we've grown accustomed to. The initial reaction might be that it's too steep, especially when considering additional costs like extra Joy-Con controllers at $90 for multiplayer fun and the necessary Nintendo Online membership for global connectivity. The reveal trailer, which showcased 24-player co-op and new features like GameChat and photo mode, only amplified the sense that the pricing might be a bit cynical.
Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery
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On the flip side, the argument for value is compelling. Mario Kart World is poised to be the sole Mario Kart entry on the Switch 2, much like its predecessor's long lifespan. Is $80 a fair price for a game that promises years of enjoyment? In today's gaming landscape, where free-to-play titles like Fortnite dominate, our perception of value might be skewed. A player might spend $80 on Fortnite over five years through battle passes and skins. Compared to the cost of a family cinema outing, which can reach $80 for a couple of hours, a decade of Mario Kart enjoyment might not seem too bad.
While Donkey Kong Bananza is priced at a more reasonable $69.99, the $80 price for Mario Kart and other titles like Kirby and the Forgotten Land and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom raises concerns about future pricing trends in the industry. Could this set a precedent for other publishers to follow suit, with games like GTA 6 potentially adopting similar pricing?
PlayStation's approach of offering $10 upgrades for PS4 games to PS5 versions, as seen with Days Gone, sets a benchmark. The cost of upgrading Switch games to the Switch 2 version remains undisclosed, but if it mirrors Sony's pricing, it might be well-received. However, a higher upgrade fee could deter many from investing in these enhancements.
For instance, *Tears of the Kingdom* can currently be purchased on Amazon for $52, significantly less than the $80 Switch 2 version. If the upgrade is only $10, as speculated, it might be more economical to buy the original and upgrade later. The price difference is even more pronounced in the UK, where the Switch version costs £45 compared to £75 for the Switch 2 version. With the original MSRP at $70, a $10 upgrade seems reasonable, but clarity is needed.Speculation aside, the only current indicator is that enhanced versions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are included with the Nintendo Online + Expansion Pack membership, priced at $49.99 annually. If this price remains stable, it's a decent deal, but questions linger about what happens upon canceling the membership—do players revert to lower resolution gameplay?
The decision to charge for the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, a virtual exhibition with minigames, feels out of place. Such experiences are often included as free pack-ins, much like Astro's Playroom with the PlayStation 5, which celebrated Sony's history and welcomed new users. The Switch 2's approach seems to echo the controversial pricing strategy of the PS3 launch.
AnswerSee ResultsDespite these concerns, I believe the Switch 2 won't be a regression for Nintendo. The momentum from the original Switch and its vast library of games should carry it forward. The console itself looks like a solid evolution, and the games showcased so far are promising. However, Nintendo must heed the backlash against its launch pricing and ensure $80 doesn't become the new norm for video games.While the cost of the Switch 2 and its ecosystem doesn't completely overshadow the reveal for me, it certainly dampened the excitement. Nintendo's next steps in addressing these pricing concerns will be crucial in shaping the reception of their latest offering.
