The former head of Sony Interactive Entertainment America, Shawn Layden, has weighed in on the controversy surrounding the pricing of Nintendo's upcoming Switch 2 console. With the Switch 2 set at $449.99 and some of its games, including Mario Kart World, priced at $79.99, Layden suggests that the allure of exclusive Nintendo titles can help consumers overcome the initial shock of these price increases.
Nintendo recently confirmed that the Switch 2 would retail for $449.99, a figure higher than some market predictions. Additionally, the cost of certain Switch 2 titles, such as Mario Kart World, has been set at $79.99, sparking debate among fans and analysts. In a bid to soften the blow, Nintendo is offering a limited-time bundle that includes Mario Kart World with the Switch 2 for $499.99, effectively reducing the game's price by $30. However, this offer is time-sensitive and might be affected by ongoing tariff issues and delays in U.S. pre-orders.
Other announced Switch 2 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 will also carry the $79.99 price tag. IGN has covered various reactions to these pricing decisions, including insights from analysts on why Nintendo has chosen this route. Layden, speaking on the PlayerDriven YouTube channel and podcast, highlighted how Nintendo's strategy of keeping its exclusive titles on its own consoles contrasts with Sony and Microsoft's move towards multi-platform availability.
"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," Layden remarked, acknowledging the power of Nintendo's exclusive content to drive consumer spending despite higher prices.
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 general pricing of video games, asserting that when adjusted for inflation, the cost of games has actually decreased over time. He argued that console manufacturers should have incrementally increased game prices by $5 with each new console generation, suggesting that games would now cost 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. He suggested that a gradual $5 increase per generation could have normalized higher game prices by now.
Nintendo Switch 2 Game Boxes
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In a recent interview with IGN at a Switch 2 preview event in New York, Nintendo of America's Vice President of Product and Player Experience, Bill Trinen, defended the $80 price tag for Mario Kart World. He emphasized the game's extensive content and value, hinting at upcoming details to be revealed in a dedicated Mario Kart World Nintendo Direct.
"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 stated. He encouraged fans to tune into the Mario Kart Direct to discover more about the game's rich experience.
Regarding the pricing of other Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games, Trinen reiterated Nintendo's focus on the value and content of each title. He mentioned that while new buyers face the full $79.99 price, existing owners can upgrade for $9.99, and members of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack can access upgrades at no additional cost.
"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?'" Trinen explained. He highlighted that the pricing strategy is tailored to reflect the unique experience each game offers.
On the $450 price of the Switch 2 itself, Trinen acknowledged the rising costs associated with developing new technology and features. He stressed that Nintendo strives to balance these costs with providing a valuable experience 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," Trinen 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 about being priced out of the next generation, especially with potential further increases due to tariffs. This sentiment underscores the ongoing debate about the affordability of gaming in the face of rising costs.
