How Much Will Nintendo Switch 2 Games Cost? Physical & Digital Game Prices Explained

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The anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 boasts impressive power and appears to surpass its predecessor significantly. However, the pricing for both physical and digital versions of the Switch 2’s content has raised concerns among gamers and prospective purchasers, leaving a somewhat unpleasant impression.

The highly anticipated sequel to The Switch, often referred to as the Super Nintendo Switch, has transitioned from being a mystery to having a confirmed release date. I, along with many fans, am thrilled at the prospect of experiencing 120 FPS, 4K & HDR graphics, and the exciting new game, Donkey Kong Bananza.

The anticipated costs of games for the potential Nintendo Switch 2 aren’t going to be a source of joy. As we step into a fresh chapter of gaming, it might also mean a nerve-wracking time for our pockets and financial resources.

How Much Do Nintendo Switch 2 Games Cost?

Nintendo Switch 2 games are expected to cost between $70-90 for base copies of games.

The size or extent of this figure might change depending on the specifics of the game’s physical properties, as well as the estimated worth Nintendo places on the license. Here’s a breakdown:

1. The physical nature of the game refers to its attributes such as hardware requirements, gameplay mechanics, and other tangible aspects that influence production costs.
2. How much Nintendo possibly values the license suggests the perceived worth or importance they assign to the intellectual property rights associated with the game, which can impact pricing decisions.

Increased RRP

Many exciting games were unveiled during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct presentation. Highlights from the event include Mario Kart 9, also known as Mario Kart World, and Donkey Kong Bananza, which was previously mentioned.

Mario is a game released on the same day, while Donkey Kong comes out later. However, it’s important to consider the price of these games. According to Nintendo’s official website, Mario Kart World has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $79.99, and the physical edition is priced at $89.99.

For quite some time now, digital games have generally been priced higher compared to their physical counterparts. However, this practice has always seemed illogical to me since physical media involves expenses such as shipping and production costs. Interestingly, there are signs that this trend might be reversing.

Franchise Status Could Affect Price

It appears that Mario Kart World is set to be sold at a full retail price. In contrast, Donkey Kong Bananza – another Nintendo-developed series – is priced at $69.99 digitally and $79.99 physically.

I’m not arguing that Mario Kart is better than Donkey Kong overall, but it seems that Nintendo considers Mario Kart World more successful than Donkey Kong Bananza based on sales predictions. They believe Mario Kart will have a higher number of sales compared to DK, which explains the price difference between the two games.

This likely means the $80-90 RRP won’t apply to all games and franchises.

How do Nintendo Switch 2 Game Costs Compare to Switch 1?

Breath of the Wild can be purchased digitally for approximately $69.99.

Nintendo is well-known for maintaining consistent pricing for its AAA (triple-A) video games, unlike Sony which frequently reduces the price of hits like God of War or Horizon Zero Dawn. This price disparity of about $10 between the two platforms suggests that gaming media costs are on the rise.

The famed “$100 game” might, unfortunately, be closer than you think.

The potential prices of games for the Nintendo Switch 2 are sparking heated debates that may continue over time. If you’d like to share your views or concerns about this topic, our TopMob Forum would be an excellent platform to express your thoughts.

If you’re eager for details about the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, here’s what we know: We’ve got word on games priced around $90 (excluding the game cartridge), and Nintendo is making efforts to facilitate pre-orders by discouraging resellers (scalpers).

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2025-04-02 22:18