Global Outcry Over High Switch 2 Game Prices

What a year for Nintendo to finally release the Switch 2. The hardware itself is everything fans could have hoped for in a successor to the beloved Switch — a more powerful iteration with enhanced capabilities. However, the global economic uncertainty has cast a shadow over what should have been a straightforward upgrade for millions of eager gamers.

Adding to the complexity is the ongoing trade war between the United States and China. The $450 USD price tag for the console and the $80 USD for Mario Kart World have turned the Switch 2 into a contentious topic amidst the rising costs of games and gaming hardware, both domestically and internationally.

To understand the global reception to the Switch 2, I consulted with editors from IGN brands around the world, from Europe to South America and Asia, to gauge the sentiment ahead of its impending release.

How the Rest of the World Feels About the Switch 2

The feedback on the Switch 2 has been mixed across different regions. While the hardware upgrades, including a 120hz refresh rate, HDR, and 4K output, have been well-received, the absence of an OLED screen has been a significant point of criticism.

“IGN Italia’s readers are predominantly dissatisfied with the Nintendo Switch 2,” says Alessandro Digioia, editor-in-chief of IGN Italy. “The main concerns revolve around the price point, the lack of an OLED screen, the absence of a trophy/achievement system, and a modest launch line-up. While some third-party announcements were welcomed, many readers expected more from Nintendo’s first-party titles.”

Echoing these sentiments, Pedro Pestana from IGN Portugal shares, “Personally, I'm not that impressed with Switch 2, as it is basically a souped-up Switch 1 - better in every sense, but without the novelty factor of the original. That being said, I reckon it's gonna come down to the games, and Mario Kart World looked damn nice.”

In contrast, other regions have shown more enthusiasm for the hardware improvements. Nick Nijiland from IGN Benelux notes, “We have seen in our region that the console has been received very well. People complain about the price, but at the same time, the console sold out within hours. We put up a post on our website stating that we would let our readers know through our Discord server when pre-orders went live and our Discord got so many new members that day, it was insane.”

Ersin Kilic from IGN Turkey shares similarly positive feedback, stating, “When I look at the comments, it is seen as positive that Nintendo corrected the points criticized on the first Switch. Although the console is stylish and uses LCD, the fact that the screen is much better was received positively.” However, Kilic adds, “the most criticized point was that Hall Effect was not used in Joy-Con 2,” which some gamers hoped could minimize the risk of Joy-Con drift.

Kamui Ye from IGN China provides a balanced perspective, noting, “The reveal event has been met with widespread disappointment due to its lackluster launch title lineup and perplexing regional pricing strategies.” Ye also mentions the absence of new titles from major franchises like Mario, Legend of Zelda, or Animal Crossing as a negative. However, Ye adds, “Optimism persists among core fans regarding Nintendo's long-term plans,” with many loyalists prioritizing backward compatibility, hardware refinements like magnetic Joy-Cons, and Nintendo's legacy of iterative software support.

“Ultimately, the brand's entrenched fanbase seems willing to tolerate short-term missteps, betting on Nintendo's historical ability to refine its platforms through compelling games over time,” Ye concludes.

Hardware Price and Tariff Fears

Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 Console Slideshow

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The Switch 2 is set to launch at a $450 USD price point in the United States, with pre-orders expected to open soon. However, pre-orders have not yet started in the US and Canada due to ongoing tariff issues stemming from President Trump's policies. This has led Nintendo to reconsider its rollout strategy ahead of the June 5 release date.

In regions not directly affected by these tariffs, such as Europe, pre-orders are already underway. Antonia Dressler from IGN Germany notes, “In Germany, nobody is really worrying about the tariff situation regarding the Switch 2.” Yet, the actual retail price of the console remains a contentious issue. Dressler explains, “There are a lot of complaints about the pricing of the console... and readers are making direct comparisons with the pricing of the PS5, which is seen as the better console.” Despite these concerns, pre-orders in the region continue to come in.

The pricing of the Switch 2 positions it as a competitor to the PS5 and Xbox Series X in many markets, complicating the decision for potential buyers. Zaid Kriel from IGN Africa comments, “At the moment, Nintendo's official website is taking pre-orders and the price is R12,499. It is not crazy pricing, but it's now in the same bracket as the PS5 and Xbox Series X. It's no longer a cheaper alternative, and that could be a problem, especially with the increase in game prices Nintendo has introduced.”

The cost of the Switch 2 and its accessories has overshadowed much of the excitement surrounding its reveal. Erwan Lafleuriel, editor-in-chief of IGN France, observes, “The pricing problem pretty much overshadowed everything going on around the Switch 2 reveal, good or bad. The debate is raging mainly about prices, but I believe because it was kind of easy to overshadow a reveal lacking in many other aspects. Part of that is... we already knew most of what was revealed from the leaks. And there is no impressive 'one more thing' to add. Even in terms of games, it's good, but it feels like something is missing.”

Outside the US, the tariff situation continues to impact other regions. Matheus de Lucca from IGN Brazil explains, “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 has taken a unique approach by launching a region-locked version of the hardware at a lower price point to protect its domestic market. Daniel Robson, executive producer at IGN Japan, says, “I think Nintendo knew they couldn’t go over 50,000 yen in Japan – the weak yen means the relative pricing scale is very different here. But presumably, they also realized that if the console was much cheaper here than anywhere else, people would try to import it or buy all the stock when they visit Japan. Hence the region lock – our cheaper Switch only plays Japanese games and supports only Japanese accounts. I’m sure this is a direct result of the global trade situation.”

Robson also notes, “The price is still high, and will be tough for many families here, but it's far more competitively priced than the 77,000 yen PS5. Not to mention that Japan is firmly a Nintendo country – the house of Mario dominates the console Top 10 week in, week out, so I doubt families here will be able to go without a Switch 2. That said, as a parent, I’m secretly relieved that my daughter hasn’t asked for a Switch 2, as the price puts it comfortably over the bounds of a birthday present.”

Software Price Remains the Biggest Pain Point

Despite the concerns over hardware costs and tariffs, the most significant issue affecting the reception to the Switch 2 announcement has been the price of software. While Nintendo games have traditionally been expensive, the decision to price Mario Kart World at $80 USD has sparked considerable backlash. Nintendo has stated that pricing will be determined on a game-by-game basis, with other launch window games ranging from $70 to as low as $10 USD, yet this move has raised fears about the future cost of games.

“Game pricing is by far the biggest issue raised, not only by our readers but by the Italian gaming community at large,” says Alessandro Digioia from IGN Italy. “Many feel that Nintendo's new pricing structure is unjustifiable, especially in light of recent increases that came with the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S era (when AAA titles moved from €70 to €80). Now, Nintendo is pricing some first-party games at €90, which has caused considerable concern - particularly given the company's historically conservative approach to discounts. The €9.99 price for Switch 2 Welcome Tour sparked additional backlash, and even the paid upgrade paths for existing Switch games are widely seen as another way to extract money from loyal customers.”

Antonia Dressler from IGN Germany adds, “People are pissed. Especially with the 90 Euro for Mario Kart World, that is a record for a video game in Germany; not even titles like Assassin’s Creed cost as much (talking about the base version). It also seems ridiculous that the tutorial game will cost anything — Nintendo just looks absurdly greedy right now.”

While Mario Kart World's $80 price is the primary concern, the $10 charge for Switch 2 Welcome Tour has also drawn criticism. Across IGN.com's comment threads on the Switch 2, the sentiment is clear: the high cost of games is unwelcome, especially during a time of increased living expenses. However, in mainland China, where there are no current plans for an official release, gamers may turn to the gray market, sourcing from Japan and Hong Kong where game prices are relatively lower.

Kamui Ye from IGN China observes, “Regarding pricing, game prices in Hong Kong and Japanese editions are relatively lower compared to Western markets. Observations from social media comments under our content show most players find the official price acceptable. While the console itself has seen some price hikes, users generally consider it more cost-effective than handheld PCs like Steam Deck, especially with backward compatibility support. Based on our data, Chinese mainland Nintendo Switch 1 players appear largely receptive to the official Nintendo Switch 2 price increase.”

While the Switch 2 promises to be a success as a recognizable upgrade to one of the most popular consoles ever, the looming threat of $80 games during a time of economic hardship has cast a shadow over prospective buyers. With many unknowns, particularly in the US due to tariffs, and the potential impact of international politics on stock availability, the global launch remains uncertain.

Despite these challenges, the conversations with IGN’s global staff reveal that Nintendo has indeed generated excitement worldwide. It's just excitement tempered by a few more caveats than one might expect from Nintendo.