Global Outcry Over High Switch 2 Game Prices

What a year for Nintendo to finally release the Switch 2. While the hardware itself looks to be what anyone could have hoped for in a successor to the beloved Switch — featuring enhanced power and performance — the global economic uncertainty has complicated its launch. The situation is further muddled by the ongoing trade war between the United States and China, which has put the $450 USD console and $80 USD Mario Kart World in the spotlight, especially as the cost of games and gaming hardware continues to rise both in the US and internationally.

To better understand global reactions to the Switch 2, I reached out to editors from IGN's international branches across Europe, South America, and Asia. The feedback has been varied, reflecting a mix of excitement and concern.

How the Rest of the World Feels About the Switch 2

The Switch 2's hardware improvements, such as a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR, and 4K output, have been well-received. However, the absence of an OLED screen has been a significant point of contention. Alessandro Digioia, editor-in-chief of IGN Italy, notes that their readers are largely dissatisfied with the console's price, the lack of an OLED screen, the absence of a trophy/achievement system, and a modest launch lineup. While third-party announcements were somewhat welcomed, many expected more from Nintendo's first-party titles.

Pedro Pestana from IGN Portugal echoes similar sentiments, stating, "Personally, I'm not that impressed with Switch 2, as it is basically a souped-up Switch 1 - better in every sense, but without the novelty factor of the original. That being said, I reckon it's gonna come down to the games, and Mario Kart World looked damn nice."

In contrast, other regions have shown more enthusiasm for the hardware upgrades. Nick Nijiland from IGN Benelux reports positive feedback, despite concerns about the price. "We have seen in our region that the console has been received very well. People complain about the price, but at the same time, the console sold out within hours. We put up a post on our website stating that we would let our readers know through our Discord server when pre-orders went live, and our Discord got so many new members that day, it was insane."

Ersin Kilic from IGN Turkey shares that their readers have responded positively to the improvements over the original Switch, particularly appreciating the enhanced screen quality, despite it being LCD. However, the lack of Hall Effect technology in the Joy-Con 2, which could help prevent Joy-Con drift, has been a point of criticism.

Kamui Ye from IGN China provides a balanced view, noting widespread disappointment with the launch title lineup and regional pricing strategies. The absence of new titles from major franchises like Mario, Legend of Zelda, or Animal Crossing was a letdown. However, Ye adds, "Optimism persists among core fans regarding Nintendo's long-term plans. Loyalists prioritize backward compatibility, hardware refinements like magnetic Joy-Cons, and Nintendo's legacy of iterative software support. The brand's entrenched fanbase seems willing to tolerate short-term missteps, betting on Nintendo's historical ability to refine its platforms through compelling games over time."

Hardware Price and Tariff Fears

Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 Console Slideshow

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The Switch 2 is set to launch at a $450 USD price point in the United States, with pre-orders pending due to ongoing tariff issues stemming from President Trump's policies. These tariffs have delayed the console's rollout in the US and Canada, despite other regions already beginning pre-orders.

In Europe, where tariffs are less of a concern, IGN Germany's Antonia Dressler notes, "In Germany, nobody is really worrying about the tariff situation regarding the Switch 2." However, the console's pricing has sparked debate, with many readers comparing it unfavorably to the PS5, which is perceived as a better value.

The Switch 2's price places it in direct competition with the PS5 and Xbox Series X globally, complicating consumer choices. Zaid Kriel from IGN Africa mentions, "At the moment, Nintendo's official website is taking pre-orders and the price is R12,499. It is not crazy pricing, but it's now in the same bracket as the PS5 and Xbox Series X. It's no longer a cheaper alternative, and that could be a problem, especially with the increase in game prices Nintendo has introduced."

Erwan Lafleuriel, editor-in-chief of IGN France, points out that the pricing debate has overshadowed other aspects of the Switch 2 reveal. "The debate is raging mainly about prices, but I believe because it was kind of easy to overshadow a reveal lacking in many other aspects. Part of that is... we already knew most of what was revealed from the leaks. And there is no impressive 'one more thing' to add. Even in terms of games, it's good, but it feels like something is missing."

In Brazil, the tariff war exacerbates the situation, as Matheus de Lucca from IGN Brazil explains, "The current tariff war initiated by the United States makes the scenario even worse for Brazil, since the Real is a weak currency compared to the dollar and an increase in the price of the Switch 2 in the United States will most likely have a huge impact on the whole of Latin America. The scenario of uncertainty and a possible increase in the price of the console could make the Switch 2 accessible to only a very small group of players in the Brazilian market."

In Japan, Nintendo has introduced a region-locked version of the hardware at a lower price point to protect its domestic market. Daniel Robson, executive producer at IGN Japan, explains, "I think Nintendo knew they couldn’t go over 50,000 yen in Japan – the weak yen means the relative pricing scale is very different here. But presumably they also realized that if the console was much cheaper here than anywhere else, people would try to import it or buy all the stock when they visit Japan. Hence the region lock – our cheaper Switch only plays Japanese games and supports only Japanese accounts. I’m sure this is a direct result of the global trade situation."

Robson adds, "The price is still high, and will be tough for many families here, but it's far more competitively priced than the 77,000 yen PS5. Not to mention that Japan is firmly a Nintendo country – the house of Mario dominates the console Top 10 week in, week out, so I doubt families here will be able to go without a Switch 2. That said, as a parent, I’m secretly relieved that my daughter hasn’t asked for a Switch 2, as the price puts it comfortably over the bounds of a birthday present."

Software Price Remains the Biggest Pain Point

Despite the issues surrounding hardware costs and tariffs, the most significant concern globally has been the price of software. Nintendo's decision to price Mario Kart World at $80 USD has raised eyebrows, especially as game prices have been on the rise. While Nintendo has indicated that prices will vary by game, with some launch titles priced at $70 USD or as low as $10 USD, the move has sparked fears of further price hikes.

Alessandro Digioia from IGN Italy highlights the widespread discontent, stating, "Game pricing is by far the biggest issue raised, not only by our readers but by the Italian gaming community at large. Many feel that Nintendo's new pricing structure is unjustifiable, especially in light of recent increases that came with the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S era (when AAA titles moved from €70 to €80). Now, Nintendo is pricing some first-party games at €90, which has caused considerable concern - particularly given the company's historically conservative approach to discounts. The €9.99 price for Switch 2 Welcome Tour sparked additional backlash, and even the paid upgrade paths for existing Switch games are widely seen as another way to extract money from loyal customers."

Antonia Dressler from IGN Germany succinctly captures the sentiment, saying, "People are pissed. Especially with the 90 Euro for Mario Kart World, that is a record for a video game in Germany; not even titles like Assassin’s Creed cost as much (talking about the base version). It also seems ridiculous that the tutorial game will cost anything — Nintendo just looks absurdly greedy right now."

While Mario Kart World's $80 price tag is the main issue, the $10 charge for Switch 2 Welcome Tour has also drawn ire. This sentiment is echoed across Switch 2 comment threads on IGN.com, where the high cost of games is a recurring theme, particularly during times of economic strain.

In mainland China, where there are no current plans for an official release, gamers may turn to the gray market, with stock from Japan and Hong Kong, where game prices are relatively lower. Kamui Ye from IGN China notes, "Regarding pricing, game prices in Hong Kong and Japanese editions are relatively lower compared to Western markets. Observations from social media comments under our content show most players find the official price acceptable. While the console itself has seen some price hikes, users generally consider it more cost-effective than handheld PCs like Steam Deck, especially with backward compatibility support. Based on our data, Chinese mainland Nintendo Switch 1 players appear largely receptive to the official Nintendo Switch 2 price increase."

Despite the challenges, the Switch 2 is poised for success as a recognizable and safe upgrade to one of the most popular consoles. However, the extent of its success remains uncertain, particularly with the looming threat of $80 games during economic hardship, ongoing tariff issues in the US, and potential stock shortages influenced by international politics. What's clear from discussions with IGN's global staff is that Nintendo has generated excitement worldwide, albeit with more caveats than usually expected from the company.