No matter how many new features or exciting games were shown alongside theNintendo Switch 2announcement, its initial price tags are still a hard hurdle to ignore. Even if the console itself was easier to justify given its massive improvement in hardware and features over the originalSwitch, the concept of $80 games is a tough pill to swallow. I’m not the only one struggling to accept the new prices either, as most of Nintendo’s streams and media have been flooded with upset fans demanding a price reduction, but Nintendo’s recent sales prove it might not matter.
Even withformer Nintendo PR managersciting the Switch 2’s reveal as an ongoing crisis for the company, Nintendo has shown no signs of reversing its decisions. Combined with the already premium cost, I was disappointed to see how many smaller fees were also included in the Switch 2’s pricing strategy. While I’m still hoping most of these prices will be reserved for a few big-budget titles as opposed to being the new standard,the Switch 2’s early success could be even worse for fans in the long run.
Regardless Of Its Pricing Scheme, The Switch 2 Is Selling Out Fast
Conflicting With Public Perceptions Over the Switch 2’s Potential Success
Despite Nintendo’s promises to avoid the original console’s massive undersupply problem, the Switch 2 is quickly selling out across virtually all digital retailers and storefronts.Even if you were able to get ahold of a highly coveted Switch 2 pre-order, there’s no guarantee that you’llreceive the actual consoleby launch day, on top of some pre-orders being suddenly canceled due to supply shortages. Given that Nintendo knew the Switch 2 to be popular based on previous statements about its expected demand, I was more than a little disappointed to see Nintendo repeat the same problems as before.
The Switch 2’s lack of supply has also resulted in the sameharmful scalping practicesI’ve come to expect from recent console releases, butthe most surprising aspect was how popular the Switch 2 still is, even with its massively increased price tag. Even though I wasn’t fully convinced by the claims of a Nintendo boycott or that the Switch 2 wouldn’t still be a success, the sheer speed at which the device sold out sends a clear signal to both Nintendo and other publishers.
The Cost Of Games Has Risen Drastically Over The Years
Microtransactions And DLC Have Grown Alongside Development Costs
The biggest defense when it comes to companies like Nintendo or Sony raising their prices oftenboils down to simple inflation, given that game prices haven’t changed much for several decades despite drastically different economic conditions. Combined with skyrocketing development costs for games that grow more and more ambitious each generation,the most surprising aspect is how long it took for even one studio to bump up its prices. Even with the costs of games continuing to increase over the years, that doesn’t mean gaming isn’t still a somewhat lucrative industry.
Despite AAA games continuing to expand in development costs each year,there has also been an exponential rise in player bases and the amount of profit that a single game is capable of earning through microtransactions. While Nintendo used to be praised for releasing full experiences without any DLC, even the massive company has started adding both DLC expansions to their games. While Nintendo is far from the most egregious offender, often adding high-quality content to match its price, microtransactions have plagued many live service and multiplayer titles in recent years, which could make increased price tags even more unaffordable.
Other Publishers Are Likely To Follow Nintendo’s Pricing Lead
Overadjusting Prices Could Do More Harm Than Good
My biggest concern behind Nintendo changing its pricing model without any noticeable consequences is the ripple effect that will likely affect the gaming industry as a whole. After PlayStation 5 exclusives likeDemon’s SoulsandSpider-Man: Miles Moralesstarted to set the bar for $70 price tags, more and more studios started adopting the trend in recent years. Even if not every publishing studio has jumped onto the $70 bandwagon just yet,Nintendo raising the bar even further to $80, and possibly beyond with their digital upgrades, could easily normalize the trend across the board.
It’s clear that bigger price tags don’t always make for better games.
Even if I’m hesitant to accept the new standard of video game costs that could be hitting the market shortly after the release of the Switch 2,it would be easier to accept if most games felt like they added enough tojustify paying for the upgrade. Despite increased prices, many AAA titles like the recentMonster Hunter Wildswere still released with countless bugs, lacking the premium experience expected from the increased cost. Following the success of lower-priced titles likeHelldivers 2or theOblivion Remaster, it’s clear that bigger price tags don’t always make for better games.
This isn’t to say that Nintendo is safe from the same complaints either, as their smaller games for younger audiences likePrincess Peach: Showtime!are astoundingly the same price as the critically acclaimedBreath of the Wild.Combined with the massive discrepancy between the quality of Nintendo games despite identical price tags, some titles offer countless more hours of content to enjoy. While I still fear that $80 price tags for games will become the new standard for AAA games, studios will need to provide a considerably improved experience if they expect to succeed, even after theSwitch 2’s success.
