Switch 2: € 449 per console and up to € 90 for games, Nintendo is finally explained on the price increase
Nintendo Switch 2
Operation of the price board
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There Nintendo Switch 2 And his games are (much) more expensive than those of the previous generation. And this time, Nintendo does not hide. The president of Nintendo of America, Doug Bowser, spoke in an exclusive interview with CNBC To justify this prices outbreak. Here is what to remember.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is more expensive: Doug Bowser explains
The Nintendo Switch 2 © Numériques
Supported by recent declarations by Bill Trinen, it is in an interview with CNBC that Doug Bowser – current director of Nintendo of America – put cards on table. First justification, not surprising: the equipment. “”We have redesigned the Joy-Con from zero … with better vibration, larger triggers, and a more pleasant return ”explains Bowser.
Nintendo insists on the upgrade. Large LCD screen, new controllers, CPU/GPU revised upwards… The Switch 2 wants to offer more. And this technical effort is not philanthropic: “We have considerably strengthened the capacities of the processor and the graphics card … which allows developers to offer deeper and richer content”.
The objective: to attract third -party studios and allow more ambitious games. But who says more complex productions also says increased costs – and, logically, more expensive games.
In the United States, the price of $ 449.99 could still climb. Bowser says: “We have not taken customs duties in this equation. With new 24 % prices on Japanese products, the worst may be to come. For the moment, Nintendo plays caution.
Why are Switch 2 games, too, more expensive
The two Zelda Games will be offered at the Switch 2 edition price. © Numériques
The case of Mario Kart Worlddisplayed at € 89.99, made teeth cringe. Doug Bowser delays: “We are not trying to establish a price standard… Each game is evaluated individually to define the right price according to the experience.” In other words, Nintendo does not decree a generalized increase … but it exists, title after title.
But despite this declaration, it should be remembered that the Switch 2 edition of Tears of the Kingdom is displayed at € 79.99, against € 69.99 for Breath of the Wild. Enough to give a small height to the regulars of the entry ticket at € 59.99, even if they can be found at this pre-order price.
The pill is softened for those who already have the games on Switch Première by the name: The upgrade packs to the SWITCH 2 version will only cost € 9.99 – or even nothing at all if you subscribe to the Nintendo Switch online + additional pack. A gesture that Nintendo presents as “A reasonable compromise” Between accessibility and enhancement of the new features of the console. Translation: Yes, you pay, but no, it's not a complete surround.
We are not trying to establish a pricing standard … Each game is evaluated individually to define the right price depending on the experience.
The background argument is based on the nature of the games themselves: “premium” versions, thoughts to take advantage of the increased capacity of the Switch 2. Better resolution, stabilized framerate, reduced loading time … All without complete rewriting of the games, but with enough adjustments to justify this rise in range. For Nintendo, it is a question of aligning the technical and economic reality of its new platform.
Finally, note that Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Toursmall explanatory game supposed to present the console through educational mini-games, will be sold for € 9.99. A more excessive approach than that of Sony with Astro's Playroomoffered on PS5, but which confirms Nintendo's intention: each euro counts.
