Switch 2 Priced Competitively at Launch, Under pricier than Some Past Nintendo Consoles

The announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 at a $450 USD price point has certainly raised eyebrows, given its higher price compared to previous Nintendo consoles. This increase can be attributed to rising production costs and economic factors such as tariffs, which analysts had anticipated would push the price to at least $400 USD. However, the real surprise came with the pricing of 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 you factor in the cost of accessories needed for the complete Switch 2 experience, the total investment becomes substantial.

But how does the Switch 2's price compare when we adjust the launch prices of previous Nintendo consoles for inflation? Let's dive in and see if the results will surprise you...

Nintendo Switch 2 Price Vs Previous Nintendo Consoles

NES

The NES, launched in 1985 at $179 USD, might seem like a steal today. However, adjusted for inflation, it would cost $523 USD in 2025. That's a hefty sum!

SNES

In 1991, the SNES hit the market at $199 USD, a $20 increase from the NES. With inflation, that translates to $460 USD in 2025.

Nintendo 64

The Nintendo 64, marking Nintendo's 3D gaming era in 1996, also launched at $199 USD. Adjusted for inflation, it would be $400 USD today.

Nintendo GameCube

The GameCube, which will see its games available on the Switch 2 via the Nintendo Switch Online’s classic library, was released in 2001 for $199 USD, or $359 USD in today's dollars.

Wii

The motion-controlled Wii, which became a global sensation, was launched in 2006 at $249 USD, translating to about $394 USD in 2025.

Wii U

The Wii U, less successful than its predecessor, was released in 2012 for $299 USD, which equates to $415 USD in 2025, making it closer to the Switch 2's pricing.

Nintendo Switch

The highly successful Nintendo Switch, launched in 2017 for $299 USD, would cost $387 USD today, still cheaper than the Switch 2 set to launch on June 5.

So, when adjusted for inflation, the original NES stands out as the most expensive console Nintendo has ever launched. Does this make the Switch 2's price any easier to accept? Not really.

But what about the games?

While the Switch 2's console price was anticipated by analysts, the pricing of its games, with Mario Kart World at $80 USD and Donkey Kong Bananza at $70 USD (or $65 digitally), was a significant shock.

Comparing these prices to the launch of NES cartridges is tricky due to the wide price variation back then. In the early 90s, an NES game could cost up to $45 USD, which is $130 USD in 2025, while some were as low as $34 USD, or $98 USD after inflation – still more than *Mario Kart World* today. Many believe game prices could rise even further.

The Switch 2's pricing is at the higher end of Nintendo's spectrum, surpassed only by the NES and SNES. Real-world factors, such as the announcement of a cheaper, region-locked Switch 2 for Japan at 49,980 JPY or $340 USD, highlight the impact of these factors on pricing.

How Switch 2's Price Compares to Other Consoles

Let's see how the Switch 2 stacks up against other consoles when adjusted for inflation.

PlayStation 2

The PlayStation 2, the best-selling console ever, was released in 2000 for $299 USD, which would be $565 USD in 2025.

Xbox 360

The Xbox 360, Microsoft's most successful console, launched in 2005 at $299 USD, translating to about $500 USD in 2025.

This analysis shows how the Switch 2's price compares to its predecessors and some competitors. For more insights, check out IGN's hands-on with the Switch 2 and games like *Mario Kart World*, as well as discussions with analysts on the reasons behind the Switch 2's pricing.