Nintendo has officially announced the Switch 2, with a suggested retail price of $449—making it the company’s most expensive home console in the past 30 years. While the price reflects a major technological leap, it has also sparked a backlash among fans who feel the cost is steep.
According to Christopher Grant, founder of Polygon, an analysis comparing launch prices of every Nintendo console—adjusted for inflation—shows that the Switch 2 is among the priciest ever, trailing only slightly behind the NES and SNES when adjusted to 2025 dollars.
To put things into perspective, Grant lined up each Nintendo home console alongside its launch price and calculated how those prices would look today. The result? The Switch 2 costs more than almost every other console in Nintendo’s lineup, even after adjusting for inflation.
Here’s a breakdown of the numbers:
| Console | Launch Date | Launch Price | Adjusted for Inflation (Jan 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NES | Oct 1985 | $179 | $519.72 |
| SNES | Aug 1991 | $199 | $459.78 |
| Nintendo 64 | Sept 1996 | $199 | $398.01 |
| GameCube | Nov 2001 | $199 | $354.03 |
| Wii | Nov 2006 | $249 | $390.00 |
| Wii U | Nov 2012 | $299 | $409.89 |
| Switch | Apr 2017 | $299 | $387.06 |
| Switch 2 | June 2025 | $449 | — |
So far, only the NES and SNES come out more expensive than the Switch 2—after adjusting for decades of inflation. And even then, the Switch 2 misses surpassing the SNES by just $10.
One important note: these figures are based on inflation rates as of January 2025. The numbers will likely be updated closer to the Switch 2’s release in June 2025, which could shift its place in this ranking.
Nintendo Switch 2 Games to Cost Up to $90 — Even More Than PS5 and Xbox
As if the $449 price tag for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 wasn’t already stirring up enough buzz, fans were hit with another surprise: the games will be more expensive, too.
While titles for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S generally cap at $70 for major releases, Nintendo is raising the bar even further. According to reports, digital versions of first-party games for the Switch 2 will cost $80, while physical copies will jump to $90.
Initially, gamers expected these premium prices to debut with blockbuster releases like GTA 6 from Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar Games. But it turns out Nintendo is getting ahead of the trend—and by a significant margin.
The pricing decision has sparked widespread backlash across social media and gaming communities. Many argue that this move could discourage longtime fans from upgrading to the Switch 2, potentially alienating the massive audience built by the original Switch.
At a time when affordability matters more than ever, Nintendo’s bold pricing strategy is making waves—and not necessarily the good kind.
What happened to the $ 399?
Before the official reveal, many analysts and insiders were confident that the Nintendo Switch 2 would hit shelves at $399—a $100 jump from the current model, but still seen as a reasonable leap considering expected hardware improvements.
But then came the Nintendo Direct, and the company confirmed what few expected: the base model of the Switch 2 will actually cost $449. Additionally, a bundle version with Mario Kart World will be priced at $499.
That announcement didn’t land well with everyone. When you compare it to the first Switch and its main game, the price difference could be as much as $200, making this new generation feel much less accessible to casual fans or returning players.
As expected, the internet reacted quickly—with mixed feelings. Some are excited about the advancements, while others are concerned that Nintendo might be drifting away from its reputation for affordability and broad appeal.
