Higher Game Prices Could Become The Norm After Switch 2 Reveal, Analysts Predict

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One interesting revelation after the recent in-depth look at Switch 2 was the higher price point for Mario Kart World, with a “recommended” sales price of $80 before its launch on June 5th. This significant hike, coming at a time when consumers are still questioning the worth of games moving from $60 to $70, has analysts suggesting it could set a new trend in the industry.

In their analysis on the Switch 2’s pricing, experts at Niko Partners touched upon the influence of Mario Kart World and its price. They noted that some people might find it surprising that game prices are rising from $60 to $70 or even $80, but these higher prices could become standard in the gaming industry within the next two years, particularly for Nintendo’s own games. One reason for this increase is the growing expense of the new and faster Game Cards, as larger storage capacities prove more costly to produce than PS5 Blu-ray discs.

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It’s important to mention that specific Switch 2 Game Cards come with keys on the cartridge which enable purchase verification and subsequent download of the game onto your console. As for the cost, it’s unclear if these games will be priced at $60 or $70, but Donkey Kong Bananza for Switch 2 is currently set at $70. However, there’s a potential issue that Nintendo might establish a higher price standard with Mario Kart World, potentially encouraging other publishers to raise their prices too and sell new games for $80.

It’s been whispered that GTA 6 might retail at $80 upon release, an amount that seems reasonable considering Take-Two Interactive, its publisher, pioneered the $70 standalone video game sale back in 2020. More recently, Nintendo launched The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for $70.

Initially, Nintendo’s first-party games don’t usually see big price drops during their early years. However, upon its release, Mario Kart World could theoretically be bought for $50 as part of a Switch 2 bundle priced at $500, which essentially offers a $30 discount. Or, you can opt to purchase the Switch 2 individually for $450 and enjoy its backward compatibility with almost all Switch games.

Multiple Nintendo Switch titles such as Super Mario Odyssey, Arms, and Pokemon Scarlet/Violet, along with others, are set to receive unspecified updates. Meanwhile, games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom will offer the option for graphical enhancements that can be bought separately.

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2025-04-03 17:39