"Switch 2 to Sell Out at Launch, Analysts Say; June Release Eyed"

The buzz around the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 is palpable within the gaming community. Analysts speaking to IGN have projected a launch price of $400, a sentiment echoed by a recent Bloomberg report, which further supports this price range based on insights from Japan-focused analysts. This would mark a notable increase from the original Switch's price point. However, another analyst suggested to Bloomberg that Nintendo might push the envelope even further, potentially setting the price at $499. Despite the higher cost, expectations are high for a colossal launch, possibly the most significant in console history, as stated by analysts, "regardless of price."

Tokyo-based analyst Serkan Toto confidently told Bloomberg, "They will sell boatloads of Switch 2 in the first months in particular, almost regardless of the price." This anticipated success is attributed to the high demand for the console's launch lineup, which is expected to feature a new Mario Kart game teased by Nintendo, a new 3D Mario adventure, the already announced Pokémon Legends: Z-A, and Metroid Prime 4. All these titles are slated for release within the first year of the Switch 2's life. Additionally, Toto predicts robust third-party support, including a potential Call of Duty title from Activision.

A long list of rumored third-party titles is set to grace the console. In an interview with IGN, the developer of Civilization 7, Firaxis, found the Switch 2's apparent Joy-Con mouse mode "definitely intriguing." French gaming company Nacon, known for titles like Greedfall 2, Test Drive Unlimited, and RoboCop: Rogue City, has confirmed it has games ready for the Switch 2. Rumors also swirl around the long-awaited Hollow Knight: Silksong making its way to the console. Last month, EA hinted that Madden, FC, and The Sims would be well-suited for the Switch 2. However, Activision has yet to announce its plans, and Nintendo remains silent on the matter.

Nintendo Switch 2 - First Look

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The anticipated release date for the Switch 2 is increasingly pointed towards June 2025, a prediction shared not just online but within gaming media circles. Analyst Robin Zhu from Sanford C. Bernstein mentioned to Bloomberg that the Switch 2 is expected to launch in June with an initial inventory of 6-8 million units. Should Nintendo manage to sell out this stock quickly, the Switch 2 could outpace its predecessor and the PlayStation 4 and 5, setting new sales records.

Concerns have been raised regarding the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff war on the Nintendo Switch 2's price. The Trump administration has imposed tariffs on goods from China, Canada, and Mexico, which analysts warn could affect the cost and availability of video games and consoles. However, Bloomberg notes that the Switch 2 will be assembled in both Vietnam and China, with one analyst suggesting that this diversified manufacturing approach could mitigate risks for Nintendo.

While much remains unknown about the Switch 2, Nintendo has scheduled a Direct for April 2 to shed more light on the console.

The Nintendo Switch 2 was unveiled earlier in January with a teaser trailer that confirmed features such as backwards compatibility and the addition of a second USB-C port. However, details on other games and the function of the new, mysterious Joy-Con button were not disclosed, though the Joy-Con mouse theory gained traction. A patent filed by Nintendo last month suggested that the Switch 2’s Joy-Con controllers could be attached upside down, operating with gyro mechanics similar to those in smartphones without screen locks. Unlike the original Switch, which used rails to secure Joy-Cons, the new controllers will use magnets, allowing them to be attached on either side.

This design change, while subtle, could offer players flexibility in button placement and the headphone port. If incorporated into the final product, the ability to flip the controllers may inspire innovative gameplay mechanics.