Nintendo Switch 2 lands at $449 but why so pricey?
Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2 will cost a hefty $449.99, and the company insists tariffs aren’t to blame. However, preorders are being delayed to assess the impact of President Trump’s new global tariffs, casting a shadow over the console’s June 5, 2025, launch.
Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser addressed concerns about the price and potential impact of tariffs to NPR. According to Bowser, the $449 price for the standard Switch 2 and $499 for the bundle with Mario Kart World were set before the new tariffs were announced.
Bowser stated, “Those were made based on previous tariffs, and there was no impact from previous tariffs on those pricing.” When asked about the potential impact of a 24% tariff on Japanese exports, Bowser remained vague, stating Nintendo is “actively assessing what that impact may be.”
Concerns about scalpers and bots snatching up consoles were also raised. Bowser said Nintendo is working with retailers who “have programs in place to prevent a lot of this action.” Nintendo.com will also prioritize established users with active accounts.
The June 5th release date was chosen to coincide with the start of the summer season, highlighting the Switch 2’s portability for travelers.
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Bowser hopes the Switch 2, with its enhanced Joy-Con controllers and mouse capabilities, will appeal to a broad audience and attract developers creating mouse-controlled games.
While Bowser couldn’t discuss specifics, he assured that Nintendo has a “long-term plan” with suppliers to maintain inventory amidst chip shortage concerns.
Regarding potential manufacturing shifts, Bowser stated that Nintendo is “always assessing where we should be having manufacturing based on where volumes are” but that “right now, our manufacturing is primarily located in Southeast Asia.”
Bowser attributed the Switch 2’s higher price to its features: a larger LCD screen, more powerful internals, redesigned Joy-Cons, and the GameChat social layer.
Nintendo will continue selling all three models of the original Switch alongside the Switch 2. Bowser explained the new console’s pricing was driven by its specific features rather than the existing Switch lineup.
Select Switch 2 games will also see a price increase, with Mario Kart World costing $79.99. According to Bowser, “each game, we believe, is a unique experience,” justifying the varying prices.
Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, a game providing details and tech demos of the Switch 2, will be a paid title priced at $9.99 due to its “depth of minigame experiences,” according to Bowser.