Switch 2 Success Not Dependent on Price

At the start of April, Nintendo’s highly anticipated Switch 2 Direct concluded with an unsettling tone. The showcase was exciting, featuring a range of impressive new features and a diverse lineup of upcoming games, but one crucial detail was missing – the price. Fans’ concerns about a significant price increase were soon validated. Nintendo later announced on the newly launched Switch 2 website that the console would cost $449, a $150 jump from the original Switch’s $299 launch price. Frustration over Nintendo’s lack of upfront pricing was compounded by worries about the console’s future success, especially after it was revealed that Mario Kart World, the Switch 2's major launch title, would be priced at $80.

Some Nintendo fans, still haunted by memories of the Wii U era, quickly turned to pessimism, suggesting the Switch 2’s price would shrink its potential audience and plunge the company into another difficult period. Who would pay $450 – nearly the same as a PS5 or Xbox Series X – for a console based on what is essentially last-generation technology? These fears were soon put to rest, however, as Bloomberg reported that the Switch 2 is on track to become the biggest console launch in history, with projections of 6 to 8 million units sold. This figure would easily surpass the previous record of 4.5 million units, jointly held by the PS4 and PS5. Despite the cost, demand for the Switch 2 is clearly strong, and looking back at the history of console launches, this outcome was almost inevitable.

Ironically, the reasons behind the Switch 2’s likely success can be traced back to Nintendo’s biggest failure. The Virtual Boy, released two decades ago, was Nintendo’s first and only serious venture into virtual reality. While the sci-fi appeal of VR has always been strong, and modern technology has since proven its potential, in 1995 even the most advanced VR systems were far from ready for the mass market. And Nintendo’s Virtual Boy was nowhere near cutting-edge. The company cut corners to bring the device to store shelves. Users had to place the console on a table and hunch over to peer into the viewport, where games were displayed in a monochromatic red glow. Reports of headaches caused by the device were widespread. The technology simply didn’t live up to players' imaginations – it was no Star Trek holodeck capable of transporting users to new worlds. Unsurprisingly, consumers stayed away.

The Switch 2, despite its premium price tag, is nothing like the Virtual Boy. A more fitting comparison is the Wii, which introduced motion control technology that worked seamlessly and delivered a refreshing gaming experience. It redefined how games could be played and dramatically broadened the gaming community – you were just as likely to see a Wii in a retirement home as in a child’s bedroom. Thanks to the lasting popularity of the Wii's innovations, motion controls remain a staple of Nintendo consoles to this day – they're still the preferred way to play titles like Pikmin and Metroid Prime.

Creating a truly desirable console isn't unique to Nintendo. Sony’s PlayStation 2, with its ability to play both DVDs and games, became an essential piece of home entertainment technology in the early 2000s. But when Nintendo gets it right, the results are spectacular. The original Switch’s core innovation – seamless switching between handheld and TV modes – worked flawlessly from day one. It revolutionized the way we think about portable and home consoles, blurring the once rigid line between them. This concept remains immensely popular, and it's unlikely many players would want Nintendo to abandon it. The primary criticism of the original Switch (aside from Joy-Con drift) was its limited processing power, and with the Switch 2, Nintendo is confidently addressing that limitation. So, while the Switch 2 may not be as groundbreaking as its predecessor, it's unmistakably a product people still want.

It's not just about appealing hardware, either. The Wii U, Nintendo’s most recent commercial disappointment, wasn't just another example of unappealing tech – it also underscores a critical factor in console failures: a weak game library. The Wii U launched with New Super Mario Bros. U, a safe, iterative entry in a series that had grown stale. It failed to refresh a formula that Nintendo fans had seen repeatedly since the DS era – this was the fourth New Super Mario Bros. game in just six years – so it wasn't compelling enough to drive system sales. The same could be said for other flagship Wii U titles. While games like Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and Super Mario 3D World later found success on the Switch, at the time of their original release they felt uninspired and lacking in innovation. People bought a Wii for Wii Sports, a Switch for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and a DS for Super Mario 64 DS. The Wii U, unfortunately, never had that must-have title. This, more than its unconventional tablet controller, sealed its fate.

In stark contrast to the Wii U, the Switch 2 not only carries forward what might be Nintendo’s strongest-ever library from the previous generation, but it also offers players new ways to enjoy these games through visual upgrades and fresh content. Furthermore, the Switch 2’s launch title, Mario Kart World, isn't just another installment in the series. It completely overhauls the traditional formula, introducing an open-world design reminiscent of Forza Horizon, giving players a compelling reason to choose it over their well-used copy of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Adding to the momentum, just a month after the Switch 2’s release, Nintendo is launching the first 3D Donkey Kong game since 1999 – which, to generate even more excitement, appears to take inspiration from the beloved Super Mario Odyssey. And then, in 2026, an exclusive FromSoftware title is scheduled, one that bears a striking resemblance to Bloodborne. Nintendo has provided multiple reasons for players not to sit out this generation.

Price will undoubtedly influence anyone's decision to purchase a console, and it would be disingenuous to claim the Switch 2 isn't an expensive luxury, particularly amid current global economic pressures. However, the Switch 2’s pricing is competitive with what rivals charge for their flagship systems. The standard disc-based PS5 matches the $499 price of the Switch 2's Mario Kart World bundle, and the Xbox Series X is similarly priced. While one could argue that the Switch 2’s more modest hardware should place it closer to the Xbox Series S (currently $380), it's essential to acknowledge Nintendo’s unique value proposition – the Switch 2’s appeal isn't solely based on raw performance.

The PlayStation 3 serves as the classic example of a console whose high price actively hurt its sales. The third PlayStation launched at $499 for the 20GB model and $600 for the 60GB version ($790 and $950 adjusted for inflation). In 2006, there was no precedent for such expensive consoles, and many players initially opted for the more affordable Xbox 360. Today in 2025, while the Switch 2 is certainly pricey, its cost is not without precedent. It's actually the standard for modern video game hardware.

Nintendo’s unique position in the gaming industry stems from its ability to create genre-defining games that people are willing to pay a premium to experience. Yet, compared to the competition, you aren't actually paying a premium for the Switch 2 – its price aligns with industry norms. It may not match the power of a PS5, but it's a piece of hardware consumers clearly want, and it will be supported by a library of games they are eager to play. There is certainly a limit to what consumers will pay, and if the price of Nintendo's games continues to climb, the company might eventually reach it. For now, however, Nintendo is simply meeting the price benchmark established by its competitors. And with over 75 million PlayStation 5 units sold to date, it's clear that this is a price point many are comfortable with.