"Ex-PlayStation Boss: Exclusive Games Ease Switch 2 Price Shock"

The former head of Sony Interactive Entertainment America has shared his perspective on the recent controversy surrounding Nintendo’s Switch 2 pricing, suggesting that the demand for exclusive Nintendo titles helps soften the impact of the higher price point.

Last week, Nintendo officially announced the Switch 2 at a price of $449.99—approximately $50 more than some analysts had anticipated. Additionally, select Switch 2 games, including *Mario Kart World*, will retail at $79.99, marking a $10 increase over previous generations.

It's important to note that Nintendo is offering a bundle featuring *Mario Kart World* and the Switch 2 console for $499.99, effectively reducing the game’s standalone cost by $30. However, this offer is limited in time, and uncertainty remains regarding its long-term availability due to potential tariff impacts and delayed U.S. pre-orders.

Beyond *Mario Kart World*, other Switch 2 Edition 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 also carry a $79.99 MSRP.

IGN has gathered extensive feedback on Nintendo’s decision to raise prices for the Switch 2 era, including insights from industry analysts. Now, former PlayStation U.S. boss Shawn Layden has joined the conversation, emphasizing how the appeal of Nintendo exclusives justifies the increased costs for many players.

Layden, speaking on the PlayerDriven YouTube channel and podcast, contrasted Nintendo’s strategy with those of Sony and Microsoft, which have been expanding their titles across PC and rival platforms. Meanwhile, Nintendo continues to retain its biggest franchises exclusively for its own hardware.

“But right here you see, ‘wow, that’s kind of a hefty price hike from Switch 1 to Switch 2 and, wow, 80 bucks for a game?’” Layden remarked. “But if it’s the only place where you can play Mario, then you get your wallet out and you buy into it… and Donkey Kong and Zelda. That first-party exclusivity kind of mitigates the sticker shock, if you will, of these price hikes, because you want that content so bad.”

Nintendo Switch 2 Pricing in the U.S.

• Nintendo Switch 2 (standalone): $449.99
• Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle: $499.99
• Mario Kart World (standalone): $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

Layden also addressed broader trends in game pricing, noting that when adjusted for inflation, video game prices have actually declined over time. He argued that game companies should have incrementally raised prices by $5 per generation, which would put standard AAA titles closer to $90 today.

“In 2025 dollars, $59.99 in 1999 is equivalent to $100. Your purchasing power compared to your cost of living is much smaller now than it was before, but still companies have been reluctant to push that price up,” he explained.

“I was in it at the time — probably every generation they should have baked in a $5 software price hike, and make that the typical, 'well every generation it's another five bucks.' And you would have been up to $90 already by now.”

This week, IGN published an interview with Bill Trinen, Nintendo of America's Vice President of Product and Player Experience, conducted during a recent Switch 2 preview event in New York—before Nintendo announced delays tied to Trump-era tariffs.

In the interview, Trinen defended the $80 price point for *Mario Kart World*, pointing to the depth of content and value offered in the title. He encouraged fans to watch the upcoming dedicated *Mario Kart World* Nintendo Direct for further details.

“I would say it's less about the strategy of pricing Mario Kart World, it's more just whenever we look at a given game, we just look at what is the experience, and what's the content, and what's the value?” Trinen said.

“Mario Kart World, I think especially as you see from the Nintendo Direct, not to give you any hints or anything, but I did read your article this morning and I think you had mentioned that you didn’t find a lot to discover when roaming around. So I would say tune into our Mario Kart Direct to see what, maybe you'll be able to find out about that.

“But honestly, this is a game that is so big and so vast and you will find so many little things in it to discover. And there's still some other secrets remaining that I think as people end up buying and playing the game, they're going to find this to be probably the richest Mario Kart experience they've ever had.”

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IGN also asked Trinen about the $80 price tag on certain Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games. While existing owners can upgrade for $9.99 and some titles are included with Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, newcomers face full price with no discounts currently available.

Trinen echoed his earlier sentiment,