The announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 at $450 USD has certainly raised eyebrows, especially considering the historical pricing of Nintendo's consoles. With rising production costs and economic factors such as tariffs, analysts had anticipated a price point around $400 USD. However, the real shock came with the pricing of Switch 2 games, setting a new standard at $70 USD, with some titles like Mario Kart World reaching $80 USD. When considering the additional costs of accessories, the total investment for the full Switch 2 experience becomes significant.
To put the Switch 2's price into perspective, let's compare it to previous Nintendo consoles, adjusting for inflation:
Nintendo Switch 2 Price Vs Previous Nintendo Consoles
NES
The NES, launched in 1985 at $179 USD, would cost approximately $523 USD in 2025 after adjusting for inflation. This makes it the most expensive Nintendo console launch when considering today's dollars.
SNES
The SNES, released in 1991 for $199 USD, would equate to $460 USD in 2025. Despite being $20 more than the NES at launch, inflation adjustments show it's still less than the NES in today's terms.
Nintendo 64
The Nintendo 64, which marked Nintendo's entry into 3D gaming in 1996, also launched at $199 USD. Adjusted for inflation, it would cost around $400 USD today.
Nintendo GameCube
The GameCube, released in 2001 for $199 USD, would be $359 USD in today's dollars. Its games will be accessible on the Switch 2 through the Nintendo Switch Online's classic library.
Wii
The Wii, a groundbreaking motion-controlled console from 2006, was priced at $249 USD, which translates to about $394 USD in 2025.
Wii U
The less successful Wii U, launched in 2012 for $299 USD, would cost $415 USD today, making it closer to the Switch 2's pricing.
Nintendo Switch
The highly successful Nintendo Switch, released in 2017 for $299 USD, would be $387 USD in today's dollars, still cheaper than the Switch 2 when it launches on June 5.
Despite the inflation-adjusted prices, the Switch 2's $450 USD price tag remains a significant jump from its predecessors.
The pricing of Switch 2 games has been a major talking point. With titles like Mario Kart World priced at $80 USD and others like Donkey Kong Bananza at $70 USD (or $65 digitally), the cost of gaming on the Switch 2 is notably higher. Comparing these prices to the early NES cartridges, which ranged from $34 to $45 USD (or $98 to $130 USD in 2025), it's clear that game prices have escalated over time. Many speculate that game prices could rise even further.
The Switch 2's pricing strategy reflects real-world economic pressures, as evidenced by the cheaper, region-locked version for Japan at 49,980 JPY or $340 USD.
How Switch 2's Price Compares to Other Consoles
When comparing the Switch 2 to other consoles, adjusted for inflation, the figures are enlightening:
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2, launched in 2000 for $299 USD, would cost $565 USD in 2025, making it more expensive than the Switch 2.
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360, released in 2005 for $299 USD, would be about $500 USD in today's terms.
