The Nintendo Switch 2 gaming console was released on June 5th, 2025, a successor for the original Nintendo Switch console, which was released in 2017. The Switch 2’s key aspects are a 7.9” inch screen increased from the original 6.2” inch screen. Higher resolution, with 1080p when handheld and 4k resolution when docked to a TV or an external device according to some sources. The new console brings magnetic joycons, which are bigger joycons and attach to the Switch magnetically without needing to slide it. You can even play with the joycons in mouse mode, by putting it against a flat surface. There are many more gimmicks in this new console, but what fans did not expect was the $449.99 price tag, nearly $150 more than the original Switch when it was first launched. This unexpected jump in prices has started a debate: is the new console worth it, or is Nintendo cashing in because of nostalgia?
All these improvements come with a steep cost. Not only is the new console more expensive, but new games like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza are around an average price of over $70. Even accessories like docks and controllers are more expensive than before.
Nintendo itself is pointing to tariffs and high manufacturing costs. Another reason could be that Nintendo has a loyal fanbase. They’ve built a culture where players will pay more for a familiar brand like Mario games, Zelda, etc. The Nintendo consoles have created so much nostalgia with the Nintendo 64, 3DS, and Wii. When asking Thomas Percy; a sophomore, about this he said “The prices are really high for the Switch 2, we should’ve fought to lower the prices, like even the games are so expensive.”
The Switch 2’s prices aren’t an isolated issue. Across gaming, prices are rising faster than before. Other gaming consoles like the PS5 and XBox Series X both launched above $500, and handheld PC competitors like Steam Deck are starting near that too now. Some of these console prices have stayed the same, or even climbed higher. Still, even with high prices, Nintendo has sold 10 million units for the Switch 2, becoming the fastest-selling video game console in US history.
