Global Outcry Over High Switch 2 Game Prices

What a year for Nintendo to finally release the Switch 2. The hardware itself is everything fans could have hoped for in a successor to the beloved Switch — a more powerful version of the console that millions already adore. However, the economic uncertainty gripping the world has turned the Switch 2 into a much more complicated prospect.

The situation becomes even more complex when considering the ongoing trade war between the United States and China. With a $450 USD price tag for the console and an $80 USD price for Mario Kart World, the Switch 2 has become a flashpoint amid the rising cost of games and gaming hardware, both in the US and globally.

To gain insight into global reactions to the Switch 2, I consulted with editors from IGN brands across the world.

How the Rest of the World Feels About the Switch 2

After speaking with editors from IGN sites in Europe, South America, and Asia, the reception to the Switch 2 has been mixed. While the hardware improvements such as a 120hz refresh rate, HDR, and 4K output are widely praised, the absence of an OLED screen is seen as a significant drawback.

“IGN Italia’s readers are predominantly dissatisfied with the Nintendo Switch 2,” says Alessandro Digioia, editor-in-chief of IGN Italy. “The main concerns revolve around the price point, the lack of an OLED screen, the absence of a trophy/achievement system, and a modest launch line-up. While some third-party announcements were welcomed, many readers expected more from Nintendo’s first-party titles.”

Pedro Pestana from IGN Portugal echoed similar sentiments from their readers, which he also shares: “Personally, I'm not that impressed with Switch 2, as it is basically a souped-up Switch 1 - better in every sense, but without the novelty factor of the original. That being said, I reckon it's gonna come down to the games, and Mario Kart World looked damn nice.”

Other regions seem more receptive to the Switch 2’s hardware improvements. Nick Nijiland from IGN Benelux reports mostly positive feedback, despite the console's price. “We have seen in our region that the console has been received very well. People complain about the price, but at the same time, the console sold out within hours. We put up a post on our website stating that we would let our readers know through our Discord server when pre-orders went live, and our Discord got so many new members that day, it was insane.”

Ersin Kilic from IGN Turkey also shared positive views from the region’s readers. “When I look at the comments, it is seen as positive that Nintendo corrected the points criticized on the first Switch. Although the console uses LCD, the fact that the screen is much better was received positively.” However, Kilic notes, “the most criticized point was that Hall Effect was not used in Joy-Con 2,” which some gamers hoped would minimize the risk of Joy-Con drift.

Kamui Ye from IGN China provided a balanced view of reader reactions to the Switch 2. “The reveal event has been met with widespread disappointment due to its lackluster launch title lineup and perplexing regional pricing strategies,” they explained. The absence of new titles like Mario, Legend of Zelda, or Animal Crossing in the launch lineup was another negative point. “However, optimism persists among core fans regarding Nintendo's long-term plans,” Ye adds. Loyalists prioritize backward compatibility, hardware refinements like magnetic Joy-Cons, and Nintendo's legacy of iterative software support, making any short-term concerns secondary.

“Ultimately, the brand's entrenched fanbase seems willing to tolerate short-term missteps, betting on Nintendo's historical ability to refine its platforms through compelling games over time,” Ye concludes.

Hardware Price and Tariff Fears

Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 Console Slideshow

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The Switch 2 is set to launch at a $450 USD price point in the United States, with pre-orders expected to open soon. The delay in pre-orders in the US and Canada, despite other regions already registering their purchases, is due to an ongoing tariff situation initiated by President Trump. This situation is causing Nintendo to reconsider its rollout strategy ahead of the June 5 release date.

IGN editors from Europe, where tariffs are not a concern, report that pre-orders are already underway.

“In Germany, nobody is really worrying about the tariff situation regarding the Switch 2,” says Antonia Dressler from IGN Germany. However, the actual retail price of the Switch 2 is a different story. “There are a lot of complaints about the pricing of the console… and readers are making direct comparisons with the pricing of the PS5, which is seen as the better console,” explains Dressler. Despite the complaints, pre-orders are still coming in for the region.

The pricing of the Switch 2 positions it directly against the PS5 and Xbox Series X in many regions, complicating the decision for global buyers. “At the moment, Nintendo's official website is taking pre-orders and the price is R12,499,” says Zaid Kriel from IGN Africa. “It is not crazy pricing, but it's now in the same bracket as the PS5 and Xbox Series X. It's no longer a cheaper alternative, and that could be a problem, especially with the increase in game prices Nintendo has introduced.”

Purchasing the Nintendo Switch 2 along with accessories will not be inexpensive. “The pricing problem pretty much overshadowed everything going on around the Switch 2 reveal, good or bad,” says Erwan Lafleuriel, editor-in-chief of IGN France. “The debate is raging mainly about prices, but I believe because it was kind of easy to overshadow a reveal lacking in many other aspects. Part of that is... we already knew most of what was revealed from the leaks. And there is no impressive 'one more thing' to add. Even in terms of games, it's good, but it feels like something is missing.”

Regions outside the United States are also grappling with the effects of the tariffs. Matheus de Lucca from IGN Brazil notes, “The current tariff war initiated by the United States makes the scenario even worse for Brazil, since the Real is a weak currency compared to the dollar and an increase in the price of the Switch 2 in the United States will most likely have a huge impact on the whole of Latin America. The scenario of uncertainty and a possible increase in the price of the console could make the Switch 2 accessible to only a very small group of players in the Brazilian market.”

In Japan, Nintendo is launching a region-locked version of the hardware at a lower price point to protect its domestic market. “I think Nintendo knew they couldn’t go over 50,000 yen in Japan – the weak yen means the relative pricing scale is very different here,” says Daniel Robson, executive producer at IGN Japan. “But presumably they also realized that if the console was much cheaper here than anywhere else, people would try to import it or buy all the stock when they visit Japan. Hence the region lock – our cheaper Switch only plays Japanese games and supports only Japanese accounts. I’m sure this is a direct result of the global trade situation.”

Robson adds, “The price is still high, and will be tough for many families here, but it's far more competitively priced than the 77,000 yen PS5. Not to mention that Japan is firmly a Nintendo country – the house of Mario dominates the console Top 10 week in, week out, so I doubt families here will be able to go without a Switch 2. That said, as a parent, I’m secretly relieved that my daughter hasn’t asked for a Switch 2, as the price puts it comfortably over the bounds of a birthday present.”

Software Price Remains the Biggest Pain Point

Despite the issues with hardware costs and tariffs, the most significant concern surrounding the Switch 2 announcement is the price of software. Nintendo games have always been pricey, and it’s no surprise that the company is following the trend of increasing game prices. However, pricing Mario Kart World at $80 USD has sparked fears that this could lead to even more expensive software in the future. While Nintendo states that pricing will vary on a game-by-game basis, with other Switch 2 launch window games priced at $70 USD or as low as $10 USD, the high price of Mario Kart World has caused significant backlash.

“Game pricing is by far the biggest issue raised, not only by our readers but by the Italian gaming community at large,” says Alessandro Digioia from IGN Italy. “Many feel that Nintendo's new pricing structure is unjustifiable, especially in light of recent increases that came with the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S era (when AAA titles moved from €70 to €80). Now, Nintendo is pricing some first-party games at €90, which has caused considerable concern - particularly given the company's historically conservative approach to discounts. The €9.99 price for Switch 2 Welcome Tour sparked additional backlash, and even the paid upgrade paths for existing Switch games are widely seen as another way to extract money from loyal customers.”

“People are pissed,” says Antonia Dressler from IGN Germany. “Especially with the 90 Euro for Mario Kart World, that is a record for a video game in Germany; not even titles like Assassin’s Creed cost as much (talking about the base version). It also seems ridiculous that the tutorial game will cost anything — Nintendo just looks absurdly greedy right now.”

While Mario Kart World's $80 price is the main issue, the $10 charge for Switch 2 Welcome Tour has also drawn criticism. Similar sentiments can be found in any Switch 2 comment thread on IGN.com, where the high price of games is unwelcome, especially during a time of increased living costs. In mainland China, where there are no current plans for an official release, Switch 2 shoppers may have to turn to the gray market, with stock coming from Japan and Hong Kong, where game prices are relatively lower.

“Regarding pricing, game prices in Hong Kong and Japanese editions are relatively lower compared to Western markets. Observations from social media comments under our content show most players find the official price acceptable,” says Kamui Ye from IGN China. “While the console itself has seen some price hikes, users generally consider it more cost-effective than handheld PCs like Steam Deck, especially with backward compatibility support. Based on our data, Chinese mainland Nintendo Switch 1 players appear largely receptive to the official Nintendo Switch 2 price increase.”

It seems reasonable to predict that the Switch 2 will be a success — it’s a safe, recognizable upgrade to one of the most popular and beloved consoles of all time. However, the extent of its success remains uncertain. The prospect of $80 games during a time of economic hardship has clearly put many potential buyers in a negative mindset. Additionally, there are still many unknowns surrounding the console, particularly in the United States where tariffs could negatively impact the North American launch. International politics may also lead to potential stock shortages and affect the system’s global launch.

Despite these uncertainties, conversations with IGN’s global staff reveal that Nintendo has generated excitement worldwide. It’s just excitement tempered with more caveats than one might expect from Nintendo.