Switch 2 Priced Lower Than Expected at Launch

The announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2's $450 USD price tag has certainly raised eyebrows, especially considering this represents a significant jump from what we've historically expected from Nintendo's pricing. However, with the backdrop of increased production costs and economic uncertainties such as tariffs, analysts had anticipated a minimum price of around $400 USD for the Switch 2.

The real surprise, however, came with the pricing of Switch 2 games. Not only have they reached the new industry standard of $70 USD, but some titles, like Mario Kart World, are priced at a staggering $80 USD. When you factor in the costs of additional accessories needed for the complete Switch 2 experience, the total investment becomes quite substantial.

But how does the Switch 2's pricing compare when adjusted for inflation against previous Nintendo consoles? And how does it stack up against other gaming consoles? The comparisons might just change your perspective...

Nintendo Switch 2 Price Vs Previous Nintendo Consoles

NES

The NES, launched in 1985 at $179 USD, seems like a steal by today's standards. However, adjusted for inflation, it would cost a whopping $523 USD in 2025.

SNES

In 1991, the SNES hit the market at $199 USD. While it was only $20 more than the NES at the time, inflation-adjusted, it would set you back $460 USD in 2025.

Nintendo 64

The Nintendo 64, which marked Nintendo's 3D gaming revolution in 1996, also launched at $199 USD. In today's dollars, that's equivalent to $400 USD.

Nintendo GameCube

The GameCube, whose games are set to be available on the Switch 2 via Nintendo Switch Online’s classic library, debuted in 2001 for $199 USD, which translates to $359 USD in 2025.

Wii

Nintendo's groundbreaking motion-controlled Wii, released in 2006, was sold for $249 USD, which equates to about $394 USD in 2025.

Wii U

The Wii U, which didn't achieve the same success as its predecessor, was launched in 2012 for $299 USD, or $415 USD in today's terms, making it closer to the Switch 2's pricing.

Nintendo Switch

The highly successful Nintendo Switch, released in 2017, was priced at $299 USD, which, adjusted for inflation, comes to $387 USD in 2025. This makes it still cheaper than the upcoming Switch 2, set to launch on June 5.

So, when adjusted for inflation, the original NES turns out to be the priciest console Nintendo ever launched. Does this make the Switch 2's price more palatable? Not really.

Credit: IGN

But what about the games?

While the Switch 2's console price was somewhat expected, the pricing of its games caused a stir. Games like Mario Kart World are priced at $80 USD, while others like Donkey Kong Bananza come in at $70 USD (or $65 digitally).

Comparing these prices to the earliest NES cartridges is tricky due to the wide variation in pricing back then. In the early 90s, an NES game could cost up to $45 USD, or $130 USD in 2025, while some were as low as $34 USD, or $98 USD after inflation adjustment – still more than Mario Kart World today. Yet, many believe game prices could rise even further.

It's clear the Switch 2 sits at the higher end of Nintendo's pricing spectrum, surpassed only by the NES and SNES. Real-world factors, such as a cheaper, region-locked version for Japan at 49,980 JPY or $340 USD, indicate that these price hikes are influenced by more than just inflation.

How Switch 2's Price Compares to Other Consoles

When we analyzed the pricing of the PS5 Pro, we compared it to other Sony consoles. Now, let's see how the Switch 2 measures up against some other consoles from the past.

PlayStation 2

The PlayStation 2, the best-selling console ever, was released in 2000 for $299 USD. Adjusted for inflation, it would cost $565 USD in 2025.

Xbox 360

The Xbox 360, Microsoft's most successful console to date, was launched in 2005 at $299 USD, which equates to about $500 USD in 2025.

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

This comparison shows how the Switch 2's pricing aligns with its predecessors and competitors. For more insights, check out IGN's hands-on review of the Switch 2, as well as previews of games like Mario Kart World. Additionally, don't miss our discussions with analysts on why the Switch 2 and its associated costs are so high.