The recent pricing announcements for the Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart World have sparked a significant backlash, with two former Nintendo PR managers, Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang, labeling it as "a true crisis moment for Nintendo." In a video on their YouTube channel, Ellis and Yang expressed strong criticism regarding the $449.99 price tag for the Switch 2 and the $79.99 price for Mario Kart World.

Ellis stated, "I don’t want to blow things out of proportion, but this does feel like a true crisis moment for Nintendo." The high pricing isn't limited to Mario Kart World; other titles like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom also carry a $79.99 price tag. Additionally, Nintendo has faced criticism for charging for the Switch 2 tutorial game, Welcome Tour, which many fans believe should be a free pack-in, similar to Astro's Playroom on the PlayStation 5.

The discontent has even affected Nintendo’s Treehouse livestreams, where viewers have flooded the chat with demands to "DROP THE PRICE." Ellis and Yang were particularly critical of Nintendo's approach to revealing the prices, noting the absence of pricing information in the Direct presentation. Yang suggested that the omission was "deliberate," leading to confusion and misinformation as fans sought pricing details elsewhere.

Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery

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Yang remarked, "The Switch 2 and Mario Kart World pricing was 'intentionally omitted from the Direct for a reason,' but handled poorly in terms of the information being in all these different places and you’re expecting the fans or the consumer to piece it all together." Ellis added that this approach showed "some disrespect to the consumer," suggesting that Nintendo expected fans to be so excited that they wouldn't question the cost.

Yang further commented, "It’s a little bit degrading almost to the intelligence of the consumer." The former NOA communications staff highlighted Nintendo's failure to address the pricing concerns publicly or through the press, which has led to rampant speculation and misinformation.

"They are enabling the story to get out of hand, out of control," Yang said, with Ellis adding, "They have lost control of this." The duo suggested that Nintendo's current approach lacks the consumer mindfulness it once had, particularly following the retirement of former NOA boss Reggie Fils-Aimé and the tragic loss of former Nintendo head Satoru Iwata.

Yang mentioned that Nintendo’s communications team would likely recommend an official statement, but the approval process would be challenging and involve many people before reaching current Nintendo boss Shuntaro Furukawa. Additionally, Nintendo is out of practice in communicating with its community and press, having not faced such negativity since the Nintendo 3DS price debacle in 2011.

Concerns also extend to staff at public-facing Switch 2 hands-on sessions, where fans might ask reasonable questions about pricing. Any responses from staff could be misconstrued as Nintendo’s official stance if shared online.

As for what happens next, neither Ellis nor Yang anticipate a price drop for the Switch 2 or its games before launch. For more information, you can explore everything announced at the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct and expert opinions on the Switch 2 price and Mario Kart World’s $80 price tag.