The announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2's $450 USD price tag caused quite a stir, given it's a higher price than what we've typically seen from Nintendo. However, with rising production costs and economic uncertainties like tariffs, analysts had anticipated the Switch 2 to cost at least $400 USD.
Perhaps even more surprising was the pricing of Switch 2 games, which not only meet the new $70 USD standard but can go as high as $80 USD for titles like Mario Kart World. When you factor in the costs of additional accessories needed for the full Switch 2 experience, it all adds up to a significant investment.
But how does the Switch 2's price compare when adjusted for inflation against previous Nintendo consoles? And how does it stack up against other gaming consoles? Let's dive in and see what the numbers reveal.
Nintendo Switch 2 Price Vs Previous Nintendo Consoles
NES
The NES, launched in 1985 for $179 USD, seems like a steal now. Adjusted for inflation, that would be $523 USD in 2025. Quite a jump!
SNES
In 1991, the SNES hit the market at $199 USD, just $20 more than the NES. But with inflation, it equates to $460 USD in 2025.
Nintendo 64
The Nintendo 64, marking Nintendo's 3D gaming revolution in 1996, also launched at $199 USD. Today, that would be $400 USD after adjusting for inflation.
Nintendo GameCube
The GameCube, whose games will be accessible on the Switch 2 via Nintendo Switch Online's classic library, debuted in 2001 at $199 USD, which translates to $359 USD in today's terms.
Wii
Nintendo's motion-controlled Wii, a global phenomenon, was released in 2006 for $249 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that's about $394 USD in 2025.
Wii U
The less successful Wii U was introduced in 2012 at $299 USD, which comes to $415 USD in 2025, making it closer to the Switch 2's price point.
Nintendo Switch
The incredibly successful Nintendo Switch, launched in 2017 for $299 USD, would cost $387 USD today. This is still less than the Switch 2's price when it hits shelves on June 5.
So, while the NES stands out as the most expensive console Nintendo has ever launched when adjusted for inflation, it doesn't make the Switch 2's price any more palatable.
Credit: IGN
But what about the games?
While the Switch 2's console price was somewhat expected, the pricing of its games was a real shock. Titles like Mario Kart World are set at $80 USD, while others like Donkey Kong Bananza are priced at $70 USD (or $65 digitally).
Comparing these prices to the earliest NES cartridges is tricky due to the wide price variance back then. In the early '90s, an NES game could cost as much as $45 USD, or $130 USD in 2025, while others were as low as $34 USD, or $98 USD after inflation – still more than Mario Kart World today. Many believe game prices could rise even further.
It's understandable that the Switch 2 sits at the higher end of Nintendo's pricing spectrum, surpassed only by the NES and SNES. Real-world factors like production costs are significant, as evidenced by the cheaper, region-locked Switch 2 for Japan at 49,980 JPY or $340 USD.
How Switch 2's Price Compares to Other Consoles
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2, released in 2000 for $299 USD, would cost $565 USD in 2025 after adjusting for inflation. It remains the best-selling console of all time.
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360, launched in 2005 for $299 USD, equates to about $500 USD in 2025 after inflation adjustments.
Console prices adjust for inflation. The PS3 was super expensive! Image credit: IGN
This analysis shows how the Switch 2's pricing compares to its predecessors and some of its rivals. For more insights, check out IGN's hands-on with the Switch 2, along with games like Mario Kart World. Also, don't miss our discussion with analysts on why the Switch 2 and its ecosystem come with such high costs.
