The former head of Sony Interactive Entertainment America, Shawn Layden, has shared his perspective on the controversy surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2's pricing. He believes that despite the higher cost, Nintendo's exclusive titles—like *Mario Kart World*, *Donkey Kong*, and *Zelda*—make the investment more palatable for fans.

Last week, Nintendo officially announced the Switch 2 at a price of $449.99, which is higher than many had anticipated. Additionally, select titles such as *Mario Kart World* will retail at $79.99—a $10 increase from the previous generation. However, Nintendo is offering a limited-time bundle that includes *Mario Kart World* with the Switch 2 for $499.99, effectively reducing the game’s price by $30. Still, uncertainty remains due to potential tariff impacts and the delayed U.S. pre-order launch.

It’s not just *Mario Kart World* seeing a price jump—several Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games, including *Kirby and The Forgotten Land - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star Crossed World*, *Super Mario Party Jamboree - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV*, and *The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition*, are also priced at $79.99.

IGN has gathered a variety of reactions to Nintendo’s decision to raise prices, including insights from industry analysts. Layden, speaking on the PlayerDriven YouTube channel and podcast, pointed out that Nintendo’s strategy differs from Sony and Microsoft, both of which are expanding their games to PC and rival platforms. In contrast, Nintendo continues to keep its most popular franchises exclusive to its own hardware.

“You see a hefty price hike from Switch 1 to Switch 2 and, wow, $80 for a game?” Layden remarked. “But if it’s the only place where you can play Mario, then you get your wallet out and you buy into it… and Donkey Kong and Zelda. That first-party exclusivity kind of mitigates the sticker shock of these price hikes because you want that content so bad.”

Nintendo Switch 2 Pricing in the U.S.

• Nintendo Switch 2 by itself: $449.99
• Nintendo Switch 2 with Mario Kart World: $499.99
• Mario Kart World by itself: $79.99
• Donkey Kong Bananza: $69.99
• Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller: $79.99
• Nintendo Switch 2 Camera: $49.99
• Joy-Con 2 Controller pair: $89.99
• Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip: $34.99
• Joy-Con 2 Strap: $12.99
• Joy-Con 2 Wheel pair: $19.99
• Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Set: $109.99
• Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case and Screen Protector: $34.99
• Nintendo Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case: $79.99
• Nintendo Switch 2 AC Adapter: $29.99

Layden also touched on the general cost of video games, arguing that when adjusted for inflation, prices have actually gone down over time. He suggested that game companies should have incrementally increased prices by $5 with each console generation, which would place the standard game price at around $90 today.

“In 2025 dollars, $59.99 in 1999 is equivalent to $100,” Layden explained. “Your purchasing power compared to your cost of living is much smaller now than it was before, but still companies have been reluctant to push that price up. Every generation they should have baked in a $5 software price hike, and make that the typical, ‘well every generation it's another five bucks.’ And you would have been up to $90 already by now.”

IGN recently spoke with Nintendo of America's Vice President of Product and Player Experience, Bill Trinen, at a Switch 2 preview event in New York. Trinen defended the $80 price point for *Mario Kart World*, emphasizing the game’s vast content and upcoming reveals during the dedicated Mario Kart World Nintendo Direct.

“It's less about the strategy of pricing *Mario Kart World*, and more about looking at what the experience, content, and value are,” Trinen said. “This is a game that is so big and so vast—you’ll find so many little things in it to discover. I think players will find this to be probably the richest *Mario Kart* experience they've ever had.”

When asked about the pricing of other Nintendo Switch 2 Edition titles, Trinen echoed the same sentiment. He noted that existing owners can upgrade for $9.99 and that select titles like *The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom* are available to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members at no extra cost.

“We look at each individual game and determine what the right price is based on the value of the entertainment,” Trinen added. “For those who have bought *Tears of the Kingdom* or *Breath of the Wild*, the upgrade packs are $9.99. And if you're a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack member, both of the *Zelda* upgrade packs are included within that membership.”

Regarding the Switch 2’s $449.99 price tag, Trinen acknowledged that costs rise over time due to inflation and the complexity of developing new hardware. He emphasized Nintendo’s commitment to balancing innovation with affordability.

“Obviously, the cost of everything goes up over time, and I personally would love if the cost of things didn’t go up,” Trinen said. “But when building a new system with new features and tech, there are costs involved. We look at the experience on the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, the new features, and the cost of goods, and we try to find the right appropriate price for the product.”

As previously reported, some fans are concerned that Trump-era tariffs could lead to further price increases for the Switch 2 and its games. Nintendo’s current pricing has already sparked debate, and any additional hikes could push the system out of reach for some consumers.