We Need to Talk About Nintendo's Game Prices

[Terry Bogard]

Like many of you, I was watching the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct earlier today, and I enjoyed every second of it. Between the end of the direct and now, I was doing additional research on the Switch 2 and found something that confused and concerned me. For some reason, Nintendo is increasing the price of games on the console. Why? My brother and I have spent a good chunk of time talking about it and trying to rationalize it, but we just couldn't come up with any answers. What do you think is the cause of this?

BTW, I'm willing to pay full price for the console itself (all those new features justify the price IMO). It's just the game prices that are weird.

 

[fogbadge]

I can't say I'm happy about the price hike, though certain doomsayers overestimated. I've long been worried that gaming will become a rich man's hobby and this doesn't help.

 

[Swamp Sensei]

about it and trying to rationalize it, but we just couldn't come up with any answers. What do you think is the cause of this?

It's unfortunately very simple.

1. Video game development is getting more difficult and expensive, so higher prices are used to offset costs
2. Tarrifs are making EVERYTHING more expensive.
3. Switch cartridges are already kind of expensive to make.

It's not blatant greed (though it's part of it). There are logical reasons as to why prices are going up. This is an industry wide problem, not just Nintendo.

 

[LiveStudioAudience]

Honestly this might be an ideal opportunity to support indie titles. There are loads of great releases on eshop for Switch 1 now that scratch many gameplay itches and I'm inclined to go for those titles more often while being very selective in first party releases. Enjoy the kind of games you like and vote with your wallet at the same time.

 

[fogbadge]

what's the prices for you guys in america?

 

[Laniv]

what's the prices for you guys in america?

For the system? 450 Dollars

For the games? DK Bananza is 70 Dollars, Mario Kart World is 80 dollars digital, I'm hearing 90 dollars (!) physical, and 50 dollars if you buy it with the console bundle

 

[fogbadge]

For the system? 450 Dollars

For the games? DK Bananza is 70 Dollars, Mario Kart World is 80 dollars digital, I'm hearing 90 dollars (!) physical, and 50 dollars if you buy it with the console bundle

oof sounds steep. the uk prices aren't great but without knowing the exchange rate I can't judge how bad it is compared to ours.

 

[NintenRob]

Apparently Australia is fairing a bit better but triple digits for video games is awful. I really hope they have something like game vouchers that lets me get things cheaper. I went digital on Switch thanks to those and don't see myself going back

 

[Janx_uwu]

Don't forget Online on top of all this. It's basically essential to have these days what with members getting cloud saves (and, from what I've heard, priority access to Switch 2 preorders). And with Expansion pack it's, in my opinion, really overpriced.

 

[Mario & Sonic Guy]

While one can complain about games becoming overpriced, the harsh reality is that it costs a lot of money for game developers to develop new games. There's a reason why Tears of the Kingdom had been one of the most expensive 1st party games for the Nintendo Switch, and one of the reasons why was because the budget needed to make the game must've been very massive.