. Breakdown of specs, global pricing, and why it costs 50% more than the original.){kind=link}
The wait is over! Nintendo has officially unveiled the pricing for its highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, confirming a $449.99 launch price for the standalone console and a $499.99 bundle featuring Mario Kart World. The successor to the record-breaking Switch will hit shelves on June 5, 2025, marking Nintendo’s biggest hardware leap in nearly a decade .
Breaking Down the Pricing
The base model’s $449.99 tag reflects a 50% increase over the original Switch’s 2017 launch price ($299.99), driven by upgraded hardware like a 7.9-inch 1080p/120Hz screen, magnetic Joy-Cons with mouse-like functionality, and 256GB storage . Analysts note the higher cost stems from pricier components, including Nvidia’s custom chip, and potential tariff impacts .
For gamers eyeing the $499.99 bundle, the deal includes a digital copy of Mario Kart World (normally $79.99), effectively saving $30. Preorders open April 9, with Nintendo prioritizing long-time Switch Online subscribers .
Global Pricing and Supply Expectations
The console will retail for ¥49,980 ($334) in Japan (language-locked) or ¥69,980 ($468) for multilingual support. Nintendo aims to ship 10+ million units in Year 1, avoiding the shortages that plagued the PS5 launch .
Why the Price Hike?
Beyond hardware upgrades, the Switch 2 boasts backward compatibility, 4K HDR docking, and a revamped social hub via the mysterious “C button” for voice chat and screen-sharing . With blockbusters like Metroid Prime 4 and third-party hits (Cyberpunk 2077, Street Fighter 6) confirmed, the premium seems justified for Nintendo’s next-gen vision .
Stay tuned for hands-on impressions from the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience events kicking off in New York and Paris this week !