The announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 at a price point of $450 USD has certainly caused a stir, given that it's higher than what we've typically seen from Nintendo. Yet, with rising production costs and economic factors like tariffs, industry experts had anticipated the Switch 2 might start at around $400 USD.
However, the real surprise came with the pricing of Switch 2 games, which not only align with the new $70 USD standard for new releases but can go as high as $80 USD for titles like Mario Kart World. When you factor in the cost of various accessories needed for the full Switch 2 experience, the total investment becomes quite significant.
But how does the Switch 2's pricing look when compared to previous Nintendo consoles adjusted for inflation? And how does it stack up against other gaming systems? The results might just surprise you...
Nintendo Switch 2 Price Vs Previous Nintendo Consoles
NES
Launched in 1985 at $179 USD, the NES seems like a steal today. Yet, adjusted for inflation, it would cost you $523 USD in 2025. That's a hefty price tag for nostalgia!
SNES
In 1991, Nintendo released the SNES at $199 USD, a $20 increase over the NES. Adjusted for inflation, that's $460 USD in 2025, showing a consistent climb in price over time.
Nintendo 64
Marking Nintendo's leap into 3D gaming, the Nintendo 64 hit the market in 1996 at the same $199 price point as the SNES. Today, that's equivalent to $400 USD after adjusting for inflation.
Nintendo GameCube
Released in 2001 for $199, the GameCube, whose games will be accessible on the Switch 2 via Nintendo Switch Online, equates to $359 USD in today's terms.
Wii
With its innovative motion controls, the Wii was a global hit in 2006 at $249 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that's approximately $394 USD in 2025.
Wii U
Despite not matching the Wii's success, the Wii U launched in 2012 for $299 USD, which would be $415 USD in today's dollars, closer to the Switch 2's pricing.
Nintendo Switch
One of Nintendo's most successful consoles, the Switch debuted in 2017 for $299 USD, or $387 USD when adjusted for inflation to 2025, making it cheaper than the Switch 2 when it launches on June 5.
So, when considering inflation, the original NES stands out as the most expensive console Nintendo has ever launched. Does this make the Switch 2's price more palatable? Not necessarily.
Credit: IGNBut what about the games?
While the Switch 2's price was somewhat expected, the pricing of its games was a significant shock. With titles like Mario Kart World at $80 USD and others like Donkey Kong Bananza at $70 USD (or $65 digitally), the cost of gaming is clearly on the rise.
It's challenging to compare these prices directly to early NES cartridges due to the wide variation in prices back then. In the early '90s, NES games ranged from $34 to $45 USD, which translates to $98 to $130 USD in 2025. Even the higher end of that spectrum is less than what Mario Kart World costs today, but there's a growing concern that game prices could escalate further.
Given current economic conditions, it's no surprise that the Switch 2 falls on the higher end of Nintendo's pricing scale, surpassed only by the NES and SNES when adjusted for inflation. Interestingly, Nintendo has announced a more affordable, region-locked version of the Switch 2 for Japan, priced at 49,980 JPY or $340 USD, catering to its key domestic market.
How Switch 2's Price Compares to Other Consoles
When we examined the price of the PS5 Pro and compared it to other Sony consoles, it was enlightening. Now, let's see how the Switch 2 compares to some other iconic consoles:
PlayStation 2
Launched in 2000, the PlayStation 2 is the best-selling console ever. It was priced at $299 USD, which would be $565 USD in 2025 after adjusting for inflation.
Xbox 360
Released in 2005, the Xbox 360, Microsoft's most successful console at the time, was sold for $299 USD, which equates to about $500 USD in today's terms.
Console prices adjusted for inflation can be quite eye-opening. The PS3, for example, was notably expensive in its day! Image credit: IGNSo, that's how the Switch 2's pricing measures up against its predecessors and some of its competitors. For a deeper dive, check out IGN's hands-on review of the Switch 2 and its games, including Mario Kart World. Also, don't miss our discussion with analysts on the reasons behind the Switch 2's pricing and its ecosystem.
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