Last week, Nintendo dropped a bombshell: Switch 2 games, especially major first-party titles like “Mario Kart World”, will cost up to €89.99 in stores. The announcement sparked an outcry from fans—but according to former PlayStation executive Shawn Layden, the price hike won’t slow down Nintendo’s momentum. 🚀
🛍️ Switch 2 Game Pricing Breakdown
- 💾 Digital version: €79.99
- 💿 Physical version: €89.99
- 🕹️ Exclusive first-party games (like Zelda, Mario, Donkey Kong) are expected to carry these premium prices.
Despite backlash, analysts say sales won’t take a hit, as Nintendo’s exclusives have a pull power that keeps players coming back.
🎙️ Shawn Layden: “You’ll Pay Because It’s Mario”
Former SIE America boss Shawn Layden sees the pricing strategy as a result of Nintendo’s ironclad exclusivity model:
“Wow, 80 euros for a game? But if it’s the only place where you can play Mario… you get out your wallet,” Layden said in a recent interview.
He emphasized how Nintendo’s refusal to go multiplatform strengthens its brand and justifies the higher costs:
“This first-party exclusivity mitigates the sticker shock. You just want that content so much.”
🧮 Console Price & Launch Expectations
- 🗓️ Release Date: June 5, 2025
- 💰 Switch 2: €469.99
- 🎁 Bundle w/ Mario Kart World: €509.99
Even amid economic uncertainty, DFC Intelligence predicts the Switch 2 could become the most successful console launch in history. However, they revised year-one forecasts from 17 million to 15 million units due to U.S. tariff threats.
🇺🇸 Tariffs Could Push U.S. Switch 2 Price to $600
With ongoing U.S.-China trade tension, there’s a chance the Switch 2 could see a post-launch price spike of up to 20%, possibly hitting $600 in the U.S. 😨
“If prices rise significantly due to tariffs, many buyers will likely wait,” warned analyst David Cole.
🔥 Final Take: Will Players Bite the Bullet?
Nintendo seems confident that its IP power (Mario, Zelda, etc.) will outweigh price concerns. And as Layden suggests, fans may grumble—then pay up anyway.
Would you still buy a €90 Switch game or wait for a discount? 🎮💬 Let me know if you want this turned into a tweet thread, blog post, or Instagram carousel!
