The former head of Sony Interactive Entertainment America, Shawn Layden, has weighed in on the controversy surrounding Nintendo's pricing strategy for the upcoming Switch 2, suggesting that the allure of exclusive Nintendo titles can soften the blow of higher price tags. Last week, Nintendo officially announced that the Switch 2 will retail at $449.99, which exceeds some analysts' expectations by about $50. Additionally, the pricing for some Switch 2 titles, such as Mario Kart World, has been set at $79.99—a $10 increase from previous standards.
Nintendo has tried to ease the financial strain by offering a limited-time bundle that includes the Switch 2 and Mario Kart World for $499.99, effectively reducing the game's cost by $30. However, this deal's longevity is uncertain due to potential impacts from tariffs and Nintendo's decision to delay pre-orders in the U.S.
It's not just Mario Kart World; other titles like 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 are also priced at $79.99. This pricing strategy has sparked discussions across the gaming community, with IGN featuring insights from analysts to shed light on the reasons behind these price hikes.
In a recent appearance on the PlayerDriven YouTube channel and podcast, Layden contrasted the business models of Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft. While Sony and Microsoft are increasingly moving their exclusive titles to PCs and competing consoles, Nintendo maintains a tight grip on its first-party titles, keeping them exclusive to their platforms. Layden commented, "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."
Here's a detailed breakdown of the Nintendo Switch 2 pricing in the U.S.:
Nintendo Switch 2 by itself: $449.99
Nintendo Switch 2 with Mario Kart World bundled in: $499.99
Mario Kart World by itself: $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 touched on the broader context of video game pricing, noting that, when adjusted for inflation, the price of games has actually decreased over time. He suggested that a gradual increase of $5 per console generation could have brought today's standard game price to around $90. "In 2025 dollars, $59.99 in 1999 is equivalent to $100. Your purchasing power compared to your cost of living, it's much smaller now than it was before, but still companies have been reluctant to push that price up," Layden explained.
Nintendo Switch 2 Game Boxes
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In an interview with IGN at a recent Switch 2 preview event in New York, Nintendo of America's Vice President of Product and Player Experience, Bill Trinen, defended the $80 price point for Mario Kart World. Trinen emphasized the game's extensive content and upcoming features, promising a rich experience for players. "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," Trinen said.
When questioned about the pricing of other Switch 2 Edition games, Trinen reiterated Nintendo's focus on value and content. He highlighted the $10 upgrade path for existing owners of games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and the inclusion of these upgrades in the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. "Well, again, what I would say is that we just look at each individual game and we look at the content and the value of that game, and then we say, 'what is the right price for the value of this entertainment?'" he stated.
Regarding the Switch 2's $450 price tag, Trinen acknowledged the rising costs associated with new technology but emphasized Nintendo's commitment to providing value to consumers. "Obviously the cost of everything goes up over time, and I personally would love if the cost of things didn't go up over time," he noted. "But I think any time you're building a new system that's got new features and new tech, there's costs associated with that."
Despite these explanations, some Nintendo fans remain concerned that the pricing of the Switch 2 and its games could make the next generation less accessible, particularly in light of potential tariff-related price increases.
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