Nintendo has outlined the various factors currently under consideration as it works to decide the price of the Switch 2.
While analysts have told IGN they expect the Switch 2 to cost $400 when it comes out later this year, Nintendo has yet to make any announcement on the next-gen console’s price.
In an investor-focused Q&A, Nintendo boss Shuntaro Furukawa responded to a question on whether the company’s thinking on what price ranges would be acceptable to consumers for the Switch 2, given changes in inflation and exchange rates compared to the situation when the OG Switch launched back in 2017.
“We are aware that, in addition to how inflation is currently proceeding, the exchange rate environment has also changed significantly since around the time we launched Nintendo Switch in 2017,” Furukawa said.
“We also need to consider the price range that consumers expect for Nintendo products. We think a multifaceted consideration of these factors is needed when deciding on the price of a product. I cannot tell you a specific price for Nintendo Switch 2 at this time, but we are taking various factors into account.”
It’s worth digging into the details here. Nintendo Switch launched at $299.99 and it held that price for a number of years. Now, nearly eight years later, what is the price range consumers expect for Nintendo products? Rival console makers Sony and Microsoft have increased the price of their current-gen consoles in unprecedented moves sparked by increased costs and inflation and currency trends.
As we’ve mentioned, analysts predict Nintendo will go with $400 for the Switch 2. This would be a step up from the $300 launch price of the original Nintendo Switch, a price NIntendo still maintains to this day outside of sales or bundles. The Nintendo Switch OLED model is $350, while the Nintendo Switch Lite costs $200. We don't know anything about the Switch 2’s specs or features beyond what was shown by Nintendo’s drive-by video reveal, but everything points to a bigger, more powerful next-gen console, making $400 seem like a reasonable landing zone.
Nintendo plans a Switch 2 Direct for April 2, when Nintendo will share a “closer look” at the console following its reveal last month. That reveal offered a look at the Switch 2 form factor, a glimpse at what looks like Mario Kart 9, and teased a potential ‘mouse’ mode for the new Joy-Con.
But there are still a number of unanswered questions about Switch 2, including what the mysterious new Joy-Con button does, how powerful the console is, and what its new ports might be used for. Nintendo will also hold Switch 2 hands-on events in cities around the world.
Meanwhile, Furukawa confirmed Nintendo has no plans to change the price of the OG Switch, despite the impending launch of the Switch 2, so expect little movement there.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
