Switch 2 of the world: High game prices are universal pain
Blog Andrew Joseph 15 Apr , 2025 0
Nintendo finally released the Switch 2 year. While the hardware itself seems to be what anyone hopes for in the Switch successor – a more powerful console version that has loved millions of owners already like, economic uncertainty complicates the prospect of World 2.
This is before we consider the trade war, and the United States is currently interacting with China. Mario Kart's $450 console price point and $80 USD stickers make the Switch 2's rising cost of gaming hardware in the United States and abroad, and gaming hardware costs rise when it's a flash point.
To better understand the world’s reaction to Switch 2, I spoke with editors from IGN brands around the world to learn about the upcoming release of Switch 2.
What elsewhere in the world thinks of Switch 2
After consulting with editors from international websites (IGN) (including Europe, South America and Asia), the Switch 2 reception is mixed. this Hardware improvements Like the 120Hz refresh rate, HDR and 4K outputs are praised, but missing features (such as no OLED screen) are seen as serious disadvantages.
“In terms of reception, IGN Italia readers are mostly unhappy with the Nintendo Switch 2,” said Ing Italy editor of Alessandro Digioia. “Of the hundreds of comments between news articles and social media, the main issues revolve around the price point, the lack of OLED screens, the lack of trophy/achievement systems, and a modest launch lineup. While some third-party announcements are welcomed, many readers are welcomed by some, but many want more from Nintendo’s first-part champion.”
IGN Portugal’s Pedro Pestana also shared a similar view from readers – they agreed: “Personally, I wasn’t impressed with the Switch 2 because it was basically a soup of switch 1 – better, better in every sense, but without the original novelty. But if not, I would say, I would love the game, and Mario Kart World looks good.”
Other areas seem to be more likely to accept the Switch 2's hardware improvements. Nick Nijiland of IGN BENELUX said the site has received positive feedback despite the price of the console for this. “We've seen this console receive very well in our area. People complain about the price, but at the same time, the console sold out in a few hours. We posted an article on the website saying we'll let readers know through our Discord servers, and when pre-booked live streams, our Discord got a lot of new members, and it was crazy that day.”
Ersin Kilic of IGN Turkey also shared positive views from readers in the region. “When I read the review, Nintendo corrected the criticism on the (first) switch, which was considered positive. Although the console is stylish and uses LCD, the screen better received the fact.” However, Kirich said, “The most criticized view is that there is no Hall effect used in Joy-Con 2,” some gamers hoped that this would minimize the risk of Joy-Con drift.
IGN China’s Kamui Ye makes two sides of readers’ reaction to the Switch 2. “The revealing events were disappointing due to its boring launch championship lineup and confusing regional pricing strategies,” they explained. Also, you said that not including the new Mario, the Legend of Zelda or the launch lineup of the Animal Crossing is another negative.
Ye added: “But, the core fans of Nintendo's long-term plans, optimism remains.” In addition to a better-believing software lineup, any horsepower and battery of the Switch 2 are focused on “seems to be a legacy of loyalists who prioritize backward compatibility, hardware improvements such as the Magnetic Joy, and Nintendo's iterative software support.”
“Ultimately, the brand's deep-rooted fan base seems willing to tolerate short-term mistakes, betting on Nintendo's historical abilities to refine its platform with a compelling game over time,” Ye said.
Hardware price and tariff fear
When bookings are available for a while in the future, the Switch 2 is expected to launch at a price point of $450. reason Booking has not happened in the United States and Canada yetalthough the rest of the world has registered their purchases at retailers, of course it is still underway due to President Trump's ongoing tariff situation. It's a business that seems to make Nintendo rethink how to launch the console in a timely and correctly on the June 5 release date.
Naturally, IGN editors in Europe are not particularly affected by tariffs in areas where bookings are already up and running.
“In Germany, no one is really worried about the tariffs on the Switch 2,” said Antonia Dressler of Ig Germany. However, the actual retail price of the Switch 2 is a separate question.
“There are a lot of complaints about the pricing of the console… (readers are) directly comparing (this) to the pricing of the PS5 is seen as a better console,” Dressler explained. Despite complaints, bookings in the area appear to be underway.
The Switch 2 pricing competes directly with consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X in many regions, making it more difficult to choose which console to buyers around the world. “Currently, Nintendo's official website is on pre-order for R12,499,” said Zaid Kriel of Ign Africa. “It's not crazy pricing, but now it's in the same bracket as the PS5 and Xbox Series X. It's no longer a cheaper option, which could be a problem, especially with the rising price of games launched by Nintendo.”
“this Pricing issues almost cover up everything “The debate is mainly about the intense price, but I believe that because it covers many other aspects of the revelations that cover many other aspects can easily be covered up.” Part of that is…we already know most of the things revealed in the leak. And there is no impressive “one thing” to add. Even when it comes to gaming, it's good, but it feels like it's missing. ”
But other regions outside the United States are also fighting for the consequences of tariffs. IGN Brazil's Matheus de Lucca says, “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 also launched a regional locked version of the hardware at a lower price to protect its domestic market: “I think Nintendo knows they can't exceed 50,000 yen in Japan – the weaker yen means the relative pricing scales here are very different,” said Daniel Robson, executive producer of Ign Japan. “But they also assumed that if the console here is much cheaper than anywhere else, people would try to import or buy all the stocks when visiting Japan. So the lock in the region – our lock – our cheap switch will only play Japanese games and only support Japanese accounts. I'm sure this is a direct result of the global trade situation.”
Robson also said: “The price is still high and it will be tough for many families here, but it's a lot more expensive than the 77,000 yen PS5. Not to mention that Japan is a firm Nintendo country – Mario's house takes up the first 10 weeks of the last week on consoles, and I suspect it's unwilling to be here that my secret is not exchanged in time. It's comfortable within the scope of birthday gifts.”
Software price is still the biggest pain point
Despite issues with hardware costs and tariffs, the biggest bug that affects the general feeling about Switch 2 announcements is the price of software. Some of these pains can be expected: Nintendo games have been expensive and kept their price, and Nintendo naturally joins the trend to increase the price of the game. But it seems the company may have jumped Pricing for Mario Kart World, priced at $80. While Nintendo said pricing will be determined on game-by-game, while other Switch 2 launch window games are priced at $70 or as low as $10, the move prompted concerns that the door is now fully open to more expensive software.
“Game pricing has been the biggest problem to date, not only for our readers, but also for the Italian gaming community as a whole,” said Digioia of Ign Italy. “Many people think Nintendo’s new pricing structure is unreasonable, especially given the recent growth brought about by the X/S era of the PS5 and Xbox series (when the AAA title was transferred from €70 to €80). Now, Nintendo has priced some of the first-part games for €90, which has attracted attention, especially in the company’s long history – especially the conservative discounts. €9.99 Switch price 2 welcome tour This has triggered more rebounds, and even the paid upgrade paths for existing switch games are widely seen as another way to collect money from loyal customers. ”
“People are angry,” Dredler of Igged Germany said clearly. “Especially in the 90 euros in Mario Kart world, this is a record of German video games; there is not even a title like Assassin's Creed, but rather as much as Assassin's Creed (talk about the basic version). It seems ridiculous, and the tutorial game will cost anything – Nintendo looks ridiculous.
Check out any Switch 2 review thread on IGN.com and you will find similar views; the high price of games is unpopular, especially during periods of increasing cost of living. However, more unusual views can be found in mainland China, where there are currently no plans for formal release. As a result, Switch 2 shoppers may have to look at the grey market, with stocks coming from Japan and Hong Kong – the game prices look cheaper.
“With pricing, the Hong Kong and Japanese versions of the game are relatively low compared to the Western market. Observations from social media comments under our content suggest that most players think the official price is acceptable,” said Ye of Ign Chine. “While the console itself has seen some price increase, users generally think it is more cost-effective than handheld computers like Steam Deck, especially with backward compatibility support. According to our data, mainland China’s Nintendo Switch 1 players seem to have largely embraced the Nintendo official Nintendo Switch 2 price increase.”
For now, betting on the Switch 2 will be a wise move to success – it’s a safe, recognizable upgrade to one of the most popular and most popular consoles of all time. However, it remains to be seen what kind of success story Nintendo has in his hands. During times of financial hardship, the threat of a $80 gaming era clearly puts a large number of potential buyers in negative space. Additionally, there are still many unknowns around this console, especially in the United States, where tariffs will negatively affect North American launches. Then there is the question of how international politics can lead to potential stock shortages and affect the launch of the system globally.
For all these unknowns, chatting with IGN’s global staff can be obvious that Nintendo is excited around the world. It's just an excitement, more warning than you would expect from Nintendo.
Matt Kim is an advanced feature editor for IGN.
