Switch 2 Priced Lower Than Expected at Launch

The announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 at a $450 USD price point has certainly turned heads, especially considering the higher price tag compared to previous Nintendo consoles. With rising production costs and economic factors like tariffs, analysts had anticipated a minimum price of around $400 USD. However, the real surprise came with the pricing of Switch 2 games, which not only align with the new $70 USD standard but can go as high as $80 USD for titles like Mario Kart World. When factoring in the cost of various accessories, the total expense for the full Switch 2 experience becomes quite significant.

To put the Switch 2's price into perspective, let's adjust the launch costs of previous Nintendo consoles for inflation and see how they compare. We'll also take a look at how the Switch 2's pricing stacks up against other consoles.

Nintendo Switch 2 Price Vs Previous Nintendo Consoles

NES

The NES, launched in 1985 at $179 USD, would cost a whopping $523 USD in 2025 after adjusting for inflation.

SNES

In 1991, the SNES hit the market at $199 USD, which translates to $460 USD in today's dollars.

Nintendo 64

The 3D revolution of the Nintendo 64, released in 1996 for $199 USD, would be $400 USD in 2025.

Nintendo GameCube

The GameCube, which will be available on the Switch 2 through Nintendo Switch Online’s classic library, was priced at $199 USD in 2001, or $359 USD today.

Wii

The motion-controlled Wii, launched in 2006 for $249 USD, would cost about $394 USD in 2025.

Wii U

The less successful Wii U, released in 2012 for $299 USD, would be $415 USD today, closer to the Switch 2’s pricing.

Nintendo Switch

The highly successful Nintendo Switch, launched in 2017 for $299 USD, equates to $387 USD in 2025, making it cheaper than the Switch 2 when it hits the shelves on June 5.

The adjusted inflation costs reveal that the original NES would be the most expensive console Nintendo has ever launched. Does this make the Switch 2's price more palatable? Not quite.

Credit: IGNBut what about the games?

The Switch 2’s game prices were a significant point of interest. Titles like Mario Kart World are set at $80 USD, while others such as Donkey Kong Bananza are priced at $70 USD (or $65 digitally). Comparing these to the earliest NES cartridges, which varied widely in price, some NES games could cost up to $45 USD in the early 90s, or $130 USD in 2025, while others were as low as $34 USD, or $98 USD today. Despite this, many believe game prices could continue to rise.

The Switch 2's pricing is on the higher end for Nintendo, surpassed only by the NES and SNES when adjusted for inflation. Factors such as production costs and a cheaper, region-locked version for Japan at 49,980 JPY ($340 USD) suggest that real-world economic pressures are driving these price increases.

How Switch 2's Price Compares to Other Consoles

To understand the Switch 2's price in the broader context, let's compare it to other notable consoles.

PlayStation 2

The PlayStation 2, the best-selling console of all time, was released in 2000 for $299 USD, which would be $565 USD in 2025.

Xbox 360

The Xbox 360, Microsoft's most successful console, launched in 2005 for $299 USD, or about $500 USD today.

Console prices adjust for inflation. The PS3 was super expensive! Image credit: IGNThis comparison shows how the Switch 2's price aligns with its predecessors and some competitors. For more in-depth analysis, check out IGN's hands-on with the Switch 2 and discussions with analysts on the factors driving these costs.