The announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2's $450 USD price tag certainly raised eyebrows, marking a significant increase over previous Nintendo consoles. This jump can be attributed to rising production costs and various economic factors, such as tariffs, which analysts had forecasted would push the price to at least $400 USD. However, the real surprise came with the pricing of Switch 2 games, which have set a new benchmark at $70 USD, with some titles like Mario Kart World reaching up to $80 USD. When you factor in the costs of additional accessories, the overall investment becomes quite substantial.
To put the Switch 2's pricing into perspective, let's look at how it compares to the launch prices of previous Nintendo consoles adjusted for inflation:
NES
Launched in 1985 at $179 USD, the NES would cost a hefty $523 USD in 2025 dollars, making it the most expensive Nintendo console at launch when adjusted for inflation.
SNES
The SNES hit the market in 1991 at $199 USD, which translates to $460 USD today, reflecting a significant increase due to inflation.
Nintendo 64
Released in 1996 at $199 USD, the Nintendo 64's price would be $400 USD in today's dollars, showing a steady rise in costs.
Nintendo GameCube
The GameCube, which debuted in 2001 for $199 USD, would equate to $359 USD now, offering a slightly more affordable option historically.
Wii
The innovative Wii, launched in 2006 at $249 USD, would cost approximately $394 USD in 2025, aligning closely with current pricing trends.
Wii U
The Wii U, which came out in 2012 at $299 USD, would now be $415 USD, closely approaching the Switch 2's price point.
Nintendo Switch
The incredibly successful Nintendo Switch, launched in 2017 for $299 USD, would be $387 USD today, still undercutting the Switch 2's price.
Despite these comparisons, the Switch 2's price remains a tough pill to swallow, especially when considering its higher cost relative to its predecessors.
Credit: IGN
But what about the games?
The pricing of Switch 2 games was another shock, with titles like Mario Kart World priced at $80 USD, and others like Donkey Kong Bananza at $70 USD (or $65 digitally). Comparing these prices to the earliest NES cartridges is challenging due to the wide variation in game prices back then. For instance, an NES game in the early 90s could range from $34 USD to $45 USD, which, adjusted for inflation, would be between $98 USD and $130 USD today. This suggests that even the highest-priced Switch 2 games are still more affordable than some of the earliest console games when inflation is considered.
The Switch 2's price point places it at the higher end of Nintendo's historical pricing, surpassed only by the NES and SNES when adjusted for inflation. Economic factors seem to be a significant driver behind this increase, as evidenced by the cheaper, region-locked version of the Switch 2 released in Japan for 49,980 JPY, or approximately $340 USD.
How Switch 2's Price Compares to Other Consoles
Looking beyond Nintendo, how does the Switch 2 stack up against other consoles?
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2, launched in 2000 at $299 USD, would cost a staggering $565 USD today, making the Switch 2 seem more reasonably priced by comparison.
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360, released in 2005 at $299 USD, would be around $500 USD in 2025, further illustrating the impact of inflation on console pricing.
Console prices adjust for inflation. The PS3 was super expensive! Image credit: IGN
In summary, the Switch 2's pricing reflects broader economic trends and inflation, placing it within a historical context of console pricing. For more insights, check out IGN's hands-on review of the Switch 2 and analyses of its pricing strategy.
