Nintendo Switch 2 Game Prices Reach Staggering $80
Mario Kart World has dethroned The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom as Nintendo's priciest game that doesn't include a physical accessory.
Though Nintendo shied away from discussing prices during its Switch 2-focused Direct, we now have our first look at what some of the console's new games will cost, and they're certainly not cheap.
Shortly after the Nintendo Direct ended, Nintendo updated its official website with information pertaining to the upcoming Switch 2 release. In addition to sharing the console's hefty price tag, the site also gave us a bit more insight on how much Switch 2-exclusive games will cost.
Among those shared is Mario Kart World, which is arguably the biggest day-one selling-point for the console. According to Nintendo's North American website, the suggested retail price for the title is $80, though it notes that the "actual price may vary." To make matters more interesting, however, a visit to Nintendo's Spanish website reveals two prices for Mario Kart World: €80 for digital copies and a staggering €90 for physical editions. Conversation rates aside--though it should be noted that €90 is nearly $100--this seems to indicates that America will also see a pricing difference between digital and physical versions, meaning Mario Kart World is at least $80.
Similarly, Donkey Kong Bananza is listed at two different prices on Nintendo's Spanish storefront, with digital versions costing €70 and physical editions retailing for €80. In the North American listing, it is noted that the suggested retail price is $70 but, once again, "actual price may vary."
These prices mark a not-insignificant increase from Nintendo's previously most-expensive game that doesn't include a physical accessory, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Back when Tears of the Kingdom released in March 2023, both physical and digital copies of the sprawling adventure game retailed for $70. However, while Zelda itself saw an increase from the $60 price tag generally associated with Nintendo games, it's worth nothing that Nintendo has since released games for less than that.
Other Nintendo Switch 2 games, such as Kirby Air Riders, Drag x Drive, and From Software's The Duskbloods, do not currently have an accompanying price.
Nintendo also announced that select Switch titles--such as Breath of the Wild, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and Super Mario Party: Jamboree--will be receiving paid Switch 2 upgrades. These upgrades are meant to improve the existing title's gameplay and visuals, as well as ensure they operate at peak performance on the Switch 2. Thankfully, players who already own these games will not have to purchase a new, Switch 2 Edition of the game to play. However, they will have to buy the game's digital Upgrade Pack, and it's unclear just how much those will retail for.
Though it's early to say if Mario Kart World's $80 price point marks a new industry standard, an overarching price increase has been expected for quite some time. Despite inflation and rapidly increasing game development costs, game prices have remained largely unchanged across the past few decades. Many industry experts suspected that Grand Theft Auto VI, which is poised to release later this year, would be the first game to cost more than $70, subsequently opening the floodgates for other studios to price their games similarly. These rumors were further fueled when Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick danced around answering a question related to how much GTA VI will cost. Instead, the exec focused on the company's "aim to deliver great value at any given time."
Since Nintendo's prices were revealed, discussions regarding President Trump's tariffs and the impact they may have had on costs have surfaced across social media. Daniel Ahmad, director of research and insights at Niko Partners and expert in Asian video game markets, took to X to share his perspective on the matter, writing, "This isn't because of tariffs by the way. Nintendo games are manufactured in Japan and tariffs don't apply to digital goods."
However, the same cannot be said for the Nintendo Switch 2 and its various accessories. As it stands right now, President Trump has established a 20% tariff on Chinese exports. Considering that Nintendo historically produced some of its products in China, it remains unclear if the console's development and pricing was impacted. It's also worth noting that during Trump's first presidency, tariffs did not apply to video game consoles because console manufacturers successfully lobbied the government for a special exception.
Regardless, players will be able to preorder the Nintendo Switch 2 console, either by itself or as part of a bundle that includes Mario Kart World, starting on April 9. The standalone console is set to retail for $450, while the bundle will cost $500. Considering digital versions of Mario Kart World are already expected to retail for $80, the bundle offers small savings for those interested in picking up both.
Accessory prices are all a fair bit more expensive than those released on the Nintendo Switch, with Joy-Con 2 controllers costing $90, Switch 2 Pro Controllers listed at $80, the Switch 2 Dock Set, $110, and the new Nintendo Switch 2 Camera listed at $50. Once again, however, all these prices are subject to change.
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