Switch 2 Price vs. Other Nintendo Consoles at Launch: Not the Priciest

The announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2's $450 USD price tag certainly caught the attention of gamers worldwide, marking a notable increase from what we've historically expected from Nintendo. This price hike aligns with rising production costs and economic factors such as tariffs, which analysts had anticipated would push the console's cost to at least $400 USD.

However, the real surprise came with the pricing of Switch 2 games. Not only have they reached the new industry standard of $70 USD, but some titles, such as Mario Kart World, are priced as high as $80 USD. When you add in the cost of various accessories necessary for the full Switch 2 experience, the total investment becomes quite substantial.

To put the Switch 2's pricing into perspective, let's adjust the launch prices of previous Nintendo consoles for inflation and see how they compare:

NES

The NES, launched in 1985 at $179 USD, would cost a staggering $523 USD in today's money after adjusting for inflation.

SNES

Following in 1991, the SNES retailed for $199 USD, which equates to $460 USD in 2025 terms.

Nintendo 64

The Nintendo 64, released in 1996 at the same $199 USD price, would cost around $400 USD today after inflation adjustments.

Nintendo GameCube

The GameCube, which hit the market in 2001 for $199 USD, would be priced at $359 USD in 2025 dollars.

Wii

The revolutionary Wii, launched in 2006 for $249 USD, would cost approximately $394 USD today.

Wii U

The Wii U, released in 2012 for $299 USD, translates to $415 USD in 2025, making it closer in price to the Switch 2.

Nintendo Switch

The highly successful Nintendo Switch, launched in 2017 for $299 USD, would be $387 USD today, still less expensive than the Switch 2 set to release on June 5.

The original NES, when adjusted for inflation, stands as the most expensive console Nintendo has ever launched. However, this historical comparison does little to ease the sting of the Switch 2's price.

Credit: IGN

But what about the games?

While the Switch 2's price was anticipated by analysts, the pricing of its games was a significant surprise. Mario Kart World is set to retail at $80 USD, while other titles like Donkey Kong Bananza are priced at $70 USD (or $65 digitally). Comparing these prices to the earliest NES cartridges, which could range from $34 to $45 USD back then ($98 to $130 USD in 2025), it's clear that game costs have escalated significantly. Many believe that game prices may continue to rise.

It's evident that the Switch 2's pricing is at the higher end of Nintendo's spectrum, surpassed only by the NES and SNES. This increase is influenced by real-world factors, as evidenced by the announcement of a cheaper, region-locked Switch 2 for Japan, priced at 49,980 JPY or $340 USD.

How Switch 2's Price Compares to Other Consoles

PlayStation 2

The best-selling console of all time, the PlayStation 2, was released in 2000 for $299 USD, which would be $565 USD in 2025 after inflation adjustments.

Xbox 360

The Xbox 360, launched in 2005 for $299 USD, would cost about $500 USD today.

Console prices adjusted for inflation. The PS3 was notably expensive! Image credit: IGN

This analysis shows how the Switch 2's pricing compares to its predecessors and competitors. For more insights, check out IGN's hands-on with the Switch 2, as well as reviews of games like Mario Kart World. Additionally, explore our discussions with analysts to understand the factors driving the costs of the Switch 2 and its associated products.