Switch 2 exclusive kart world believes its $80 price tag is justified, Nintendo insists on resolving cost disputes in the first comment
Blog Andrew Joseph 08 Apr , 2025 0
Nintendo insists Mario Karting World In some Switch 2 games, the controversy over a $10 hike is justifiable for $80.
Last week's Nintendo Direct Revealed the Switch 2 and launch title Mario Kart world, but prices for both products were confirmed until the show ended.
Switch 2, June 5, currently priced at $449.99 – Although Trump's tariffs have delayed US reservations, it could lead to Nintendo's price hike. The real shock, though, is that Mario Kart World’s price is $79.99, $10 more than the most expensive Nintendo-released game, Kingdom Tears.
It is worth pointing out that Nintendo bundled Mario Kart World with the Nintendo Switch 2 for $499.99, reducing the cost of the game by $30 in the process. However, Nintendo said the bundle is a limited offer, and the price of the bundle is still to be seen given the uncertainty surrounding the tariff situation and the delay in Nintendo's bookings in the U.S.
But Mario Kart World isn't the only Nintendo Switch 2 game that costs $80 – some of them Switch 2 version game The announcement of the Nintendo direct sales period is $79.99, e.g. Kirby and Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star Crossed World,,,,, Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TVand “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” – Nintendo Switch Version 2.
These Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games have improved their original switch version in various ways. For example, The Legend of Zelda: Breathing in the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, provides more support for the Zelda Notes Service in the Nintendo Switch app to help with the game. They also achieved success on Switch 2.
IGN has a lot of reactions to Nintendo's jump to $80 on Switch 2 Generation, including From analysts who help us understand why this happens. But what is Nintendo's comment on this? IGN interviewed Bill Trinen, Vice President of Product and Player Experience, U.S.Ask Nintendo’s Mario Kart World’s pricing strategy to find out at a recent Switch 2 preview event in New York.
We need to point out here that our interview with Trinen was conducted on April 3, 2025 Nintendo announces delays on Switd 2 bookings in the United States due to potential impact of tariffs.
Trining insisted in his response that Mario Kart World proved its price tag, pointing to the upcoming dedicated Mario Kart World Nintendo direct, fans will learn more about the game and what it has to offer.
“What I want to say is not the strategy of pricing Mario Kart in the world, whenever we look at a given game, we just look at what is what is, what is the content? What is the value?” Trinin said.
“The Mario Kart world, I think especially as you see directly from Nintendo, don’t give you any tips or any other tips, but I did read your post this morning and I don’t think you’ve found that you didn’t find a lot while you were roaming.
“But honestly, it's such a big and so huge game that you'll find a lot of the little things to discover. There are some other secrets that I think when people end up buying and playing the game, they'll find that it's probably the richest Mario Kart experience they've ever had.”
We also asked Trinen about the $80 cost of the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition game. While there is a $10 upgrade path for existing owners of these games on the Switch, and both The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition ($69.99) and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition ($79.99) are available as part of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, Nintendo is not offering any sort of discount to newcomers on Switch 2.
Trinen's answer here responds to his Mario Kart World's response, pointing to the value Nintendo sees in the game.
“Well, what I'm going to say is, we just look at each game and look at the content and value of that game, and we're like, 'What's the price that fits this entertainment value?” “He said.
“What I would probably counter to some of that is that really what you're looking at is for the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, that's the physical price for somebody that has not bought the base game. For somebody who has bought Tears of the Kingdom or Breath of the Wild, the upgrade packs for those are $9.99. And if you happen to be a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack member, both of the Zelda upgrade packs are inclusive within that membership. So there's no additional
“But overall, our general approach is really just focusing on content, what is value, what is the right price based on that.”
What Trinen said here is that Nintendo believes that when you consider what video games can offer, its next-generation push is worth the price increase. Here is the response from Piers Harding-Rolls, Games Research Director at Ampere Analysis. He told IGN Nintendo that it has form in terms of high gaming costs.
“Nintendo's pricing game history is late from other platforms, not other platforms – in this case for the PS5 and Xbox series.”
“For example, I remember that the N64 has more titles than the PS1 title. Some of them are related to the cost of the product, but Nintendo also likes to follow its own methods and prices based on its appreciation of value.”
As for the Switch 2 itself’s current $450 price tag, Trinen once again pointed out the value, but also highlighted the cost increase associated with launching video game consoles.
“Obviously, the cost of everything increases over time, and I personally would like it if the cost of things does not rise over time,” he told IGN.
“But I think you have the costs associated with a new system with new features and new technologies. So, again, let's look at what the experience is on the Nintendo Switch? What is the experience on the Nintendo Switch 2? What is the Nintendo Switch 2 2? What is the new features it offers? Of course there are factors and these factors and these factors, but we're trying to find the right price based on the product.”
As IGN reported, Some Nintendo fans say they may be priced from the next generation If due to tariffs, the company is even higher than the much-disputed price of the Switch 2 and its games such as Mario Kart World.
However, it is becoming increasingly clear that despite the community’s call for Nintendo to lower prices, the Switch 2 and its games are more likely to be cheaper than they are in the United States.
Wesley is the UK news editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter via @wyp100. You can reach Wesley via [email protected] or secretly visit [email protected].
