Switch 2 Priced Lower Than Some Nintendo Consoles at Launch

When the Nintendo Switch 2 was announced at a price of $450 USD, it certainly raised eyebrows, especially given the historical pricing of Nintendo's consoles. However, with rising production costs and economic factors like tariffs, analysts had anticipated a price tag of at least $400 USD. The real surprise, though, came with the pricing of Switch 2 games, which have adopted the new $70 USD standard for new releases, with some titles like Mario Kart World reaching up to $80 USD. When considering the additional costs of accessories needed for the full Switch 2 experience, the total investment can be quite substantial.

Adjusting for inflation, how does the Switch 2's price compare to previous Nintendo consoles? And how does it stack up against other gaming systems? The comparisons might surprise you.

Nintendo Switch 2 Price Vs Previous Nintendo Consoles

NES

The NES, launched in 1985 at $179 USD, might seem like a steal now. However, adjusted for inflation, it would cost $523 USD in 2025. That's quite a jump!

SNES

In 1991, the SNES was priced at $199 USD, a $20 increase from the NES. Today, that would be equivalent to $460 USD after adjusting for inflation.

Nintendo 64

The Nintendo 64, released in 1996, also launched at $199 USD. Adjusted for inflation, it would now cost $400 USD.

Nintendo GameCube

The GameCube, which debuted in 2001 at $199 USD, would be worth $359 USD today. Its games are now accessible on the Switch 2 via Nintendo Switch Online's classic library.

Wii

The Wii, released in 2006, was a global hit priced at $249 USD. In 2025, that would translate to $394 USD.

Wii U

The less successful Wii U launched in 2012 for $299 USD, which would be $415 USD today, making it closer to the Switch 2's current pricing.

Nintendo Switch

The highly successful Nintendo Switch, released in 2017, was priced at $299 USD, equivalent to $387 USD today. It's still cheaper than the Switch 2, set to launch on June 5.

The original NES, when adjusted for inflation, stands out as the most expensive console Nintendo has ever launched. Does this historical context make the Switch 2's price more palatable? Not necessarily.

But what about the games?

While the Switch 2's hardware price was anticipated, the game pricing caused a stir. Titles like Mario Kart World are priced at $80 USD, while others such as Donkey Kong Bananza come in at $70 USD (or $65 digitally).

Comparing these prices to the earliest NES cartridges, which varied widely, is challenging. In the early '90s, an NES game could cost up to $45 USD, or $130 USD in 2025 terms, while others were priced at $34 USD, or $98 USD today. Even with this in mind, Mario Kart World's price remains competitive. Yet, there's a growing concern that game prices might continue to rise.

The Switch 2's pricing is at the higher end of Nintendo's spectrum, surpassed only by the NES and SNES. Real-world factors like production costs seem to be driving these increases, evidenced by a cheaper, region-locked Switch 2 for Japan, priced at 49,980 JPY or $340 USD.

How Switch 2's Price Compares to Other Consoles

Comparing the Switch 2 to other consoles, including Sony's offerings, provides further context.

PlayStation 2

The PlayStation 2, launched in 2000 at $299 USD, would cost $565 USD today, making it significantly more expensive than the Switch 2.

Xbox 360

The Xbox 360, released in 2005 at $299 USD, would be around $500 USD in 2025.