The announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2's $450 USD price tag caused quite a stir, marking a significant jump from what we've traditionally expected from Nintendo. However, given the rise in production costs and economic factors such as tariffs, analysts had anticipated the Switch 2 to be priced around $400 USD at the very least. What truly caught many off guard, though, was the pricing of the Switch 2 games, which not only reached the new standard of $70 USD but soared to $80 USD for titles like Mario Kart World. When factoring in the cost of accessories to fully enjoy the Switch 2 experience, the total investment becomes substantial.
To better understand the Switch 2's pricing, let's compare it to previous Nintendo consoles after adjusting for inflation. The results might surprise you:
Nintendo Switch 2 Price Vs Previous Nintendo Consoles
NES
The iconic NES, launched in 1985 for $179 USD, would cost a hefty $523 USD in 2025 after adjusting for inflation. Quite the jump from its initial price!
SNES
Following up in 1991, the SNES was priced at $199 USD, which translates to $460 USD today. A slight increase from the NES but still a significant amount.
Nintendo 64
The Nintendo 64, marking Nintendo's foray into 3D gaming in 1996, also launched at $199 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that's $400 USD in today's terms.
Nintendo GameCube
The GameCube, which hit the market in 2001 for $199 USD, would be $359 USD today. Its games will soon be accessible through the Nintendo Switch Online’s classic library on the Switch 2.
Wii
Nintendo's innovative Wii, released in 2006 for $249 USD, would cost about $394 USD in 2025. This console became a global phenomenon thanks to its motion control technology.
Wii U
The less successful Wii U, launched in 2012 for $299 USD, would be priced at $415 USD today, bringing it closer to the Switch 2's current price point.
Nintendo Switch
The highly successful Nintendo Switch, launched in 2017 for $299 USD, equates to $387 USD in today's dollars. Despite its success, it remains cheaper than the Switch 2, which is set to launch on June 5.
When comparing the original NES's inflation-adjusted price to the Switch 2, the latter's $450 USD price tag might still be hard to swallow.
While the Switch 2’s price was somewhat expected, the pricing of its games was the real shock. Titles like Mario Kart World are set to retail at $80 USD, while others like Donkey Kong Bananza will be priced at $70 USD (or $65 digitally). Comparing this to the early days of the NES, where game prices varied widely, an NES game in the early 90s could cost as much as $45 USD, which would be $130 USD today, or as low as $34 USD, or $98 USD after inflation adjustment. This indicates that even today's higher-priced games might still be considered a bargain.
It's clear that the Switch 2's pricing sits on the higher end of Nintendo's historical range, surpassed only by the NES and SNES when adjusted for inflation. Real-world economic factors have played a significant role in this price increase, as evidenced by Nintendo's decision to release a cheaper, region-locked version of the Switch 2 in Japan for 49,980 JPY, or about $340 USD.
How Switch 2's Price Compares to Other Consoles
To put the Switch 2's price into perspective, let's see how it stacks up against other consoles when adjusted for inflation:
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2, launched in 2000 for $299 USD and the best-selling console of all time, would cost $565 USD in 2025 after inflation adjustment.
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360, released in 2005 for $299 USD, would be around $500 USD today.
In conclusion, the Switch 2's price, while higher than its predecessors, is still competitive when viewed against other consoles' inflation-adjusted prices. For more insights, check out IGN's hands-on with the Switch 2 and reviews of games like Mario Kart World, as well as discussions with analysts on the factors driving the costs of the Switch 2 and its ecosystem.
