Switch 2 Priced Lower Than Expected at Launch

The announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2's $450 USD price tag certainly raised eyebrows, given its higher cost compared to what we've typically seen from Nintendo. This increase can be attributed to rising production costs and economic factors such as tariffs, which analysts had anticipated would push the price to around $400 USD. However, the real surprise came with the pricing of Switch 2 games, which not only reached the new industry standard of $70 USD but also soared to $80 USD for titles like Mario Kart World. When you add in the cost of additional accessories to fully enjoy the Switch 2 experience, the total investment becomes quite significant.

But how does the Switch 2's price compare when adjusted for inflation against previous Nintendo consoles? And how does it stack up against other consoles in the market? Let's dive into the numbers and see what we find.

Nintendo Switch 2 Price Vs Previous Nintendo Consoles

NES

The NES, launched in 1985 at $179 USD, may seem like a bargain now. However, adjusted for inflation, it would cost a whopping $523 USD in 2025. That's a significant jump!

SNES

In 1991, Nintendo released the SNES for $199 USD, which was $20 more than the NES at the time. Adjusted for inflation, this would translate to $460 USD in 2025, making it quite close to the Switch 2's price.

Nintendo 64

The Nintendo 64, which marked Nintendo's entry into 3D gaming in 1996, also launched at $199 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that's equivalent to $400 USD in today's terms.

Nintendo GameCube

The GameCube, whose games will be accessible through the Switch 2's Nintendo Switch Online classic library, was released in 2001 for $199 USD, which equates to $359 USD in 2025 after inflation adjustment.

Wii

The motion-controlled Wii, which became a global sensation, hit the market in 2006 for $249 USD. That's about $394 USD in 2025, making it slightly less expensive than the Switch 2.

Wii U

The Wii U, despite not achieving the same success as its predecessor, was priced at $299 USD in 2012, which translates to $415 USD in 2025, putting it closer to the Switch 2's pricing.

Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch, one of Nintendo's most successful consoles, was released in 2017 for $299 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that's about $387 USD in today's dollars, making it cheaper than the Switch 2 when it launches on June 5.

So, when looking at the adjusted prices, the original NES becomes the most expensive Nintendo console 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 anticipated, the game pricing was the real shock. Games like Mario Kart World are priced at $80 USD, while others such as Donkey Kong Bananza are at $70 USD (or $65 digitally). Comparing these prices to the early days of the NES is tricky due to the wide variance in game costs back then. For instance, in the early 90s, an NES game could cost anywhere from $34 USD to $45 USD, which translates to $98 USD to $130 USD in 2025. Yet, even with these high historical prices, the cost of Switch 2 games remains a point of contention, with many expecting further increases.

It's clear that the Switch 2 falls on the higher end of Nintendo's pricing spectrum, surpassed only by the NES and SNES when adjusted for inflation. Real-world factors, such as a cheaper, region-locked version of the Switch 2 for Japan at 49,980 JPY or $340 USD, highlight the impact of these factors on pricing.

How Switch 2's Price Compares to Other Consoles

We've also analyzed how the Switch 2's price compares to other consoles, both past and present.

PlayStation 2

The PlayStation 2, the best-selling console of all time, was released in 2000 for $299 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that's $565 USD in 2025, significantly more than the Switch 2.

Xbox 360

The Xbox 360, Microsoft's most successful console at the time, was released in 2005 for $299 USD, which translates to about $500 USD in 2025.

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

In summary, the Switch 2's price is competitive when compared to its predecessors and some rivals. For more insights, check out IGN's hands-on with the Switch 2 and games like Mario Kart World, and don't miss our discussions with analysts on the factors driving these costs.