With rising inflation driving prices up across the globe and the Japanese yen being in a particularly dire place at the moment, it stands to reason that the price of the upcoming Switch 2 is going to be higher than the previous console. Many people have been throwing out numbers they think are reasonable with some even anticipating a sticker price of $500 for the console. According to Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa though, Nintendo is aiming for “affordability” when it comes to how much it will charge for the Switch 2.
During a recent investor meeting Q&A, Shuntaro Furukawa was questioned about how Nintendo would be tackling inflation and exchange rates when considering a price for its successor console. While Furukawa didn’t have a number to throw out, he did reassure investors that the company is looking at multiple factors in order to pin down exactly how much it will charge for its next console.
In a translation provided by Nintendo Life, Furukawa said:
“In addition to the current inflation, we are aware that the exchange rate environment has changed significantly since the launch of Nintendo Switch in 2017. We also need to consider the affordable prices that consumers expect from Nintendo products. When considering the price of our products, we believe that it is necessary to consider these factors from multiple angles. At this time, we cannot disclose the specific price of Nintendo Switch 2, but we are considering it while taking various points into consideration. At this time, there are no plans to change the price of Nintendo Switch hardware.”
That last line is interesting as the current Switch has not seen a price drop of any form since being released in 2017. If Nintendo intends to keep that device at $300 (excluding how the OLED model is $350), then it likely means the Switch 2 will have to be priced higher so as not to cannibalize sales of the older unit. Nintendo has stated it will continue to support the current console as long as there is interest, so that leaves the Big N in a precarious situation.
Our thoughts
For what it’s worth, I believe the Switch 2 will launch at $400. While that is a lot for a handheld console, it takes into account inflation, the value of Nintendo’s IP, and the increased hardware specifications on offer. It’s also not too obscenely priced, beating out the PS5 and Xbox Series X at $500 while also offering more value than the PS5 Digital at $400 or the Xbox Series S at $300. You can’t take those consoles on the go with you.
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Written by Peter Glagowski
Peter has been a freelance gaming and film critic for over seven years. His passion for Nintendo is only matched by the size of his collection.
