The announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2's $450 USD price tag has certainly caught the attention of gamers, especially when considering the higher costs compared to previous Nintendo consoles. Rising production expenses and economic factors such as tariffs have led analysts to anticipate a price point of at least $400 USD for the Switch 2. However, the real surprise has been the pricing of Switch 2 games, with titles like Mario Kart World reaching up to $80 USD, aligning with the new $70 USD standard for new releases. When you factor in the cost of additional accessories, the overall investment for the full Switch 2 experience becomes significant.

To better understand the Switch 2's pricing, let's look at how it compares to previous Nintendo consoles when adjusted for inflation:

Nintendo Switch 2 Price Vs Previous Nintendo Consoles

NES

The NES, launched in 1985 at $179 USD, would equate to $523 USD in today's money when adjusted for inflation. Despite its seemingly low original price, it becomes the priciest Nintendo console in modern terms.

SNES

The SNES followed in 1991, initially priced at $199 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that's equivalent to $460 USD in 2025, still higher than the Switch 2's price.

Nintendo 64

The Nintendo 64 hit the market in 1996 at the same $199 price point as the SNES. In today's dollars, that translates to $400 USD, which is still less than the Switch 2's cost.

Nintendo GameCube

Released in 2001, the GameCube cost $199 USD, or $359 USD in today's terms. Notably, its games will be available on the Switch 2 through the Nintendo Switch Online's classic library.

Wii

The Wii, introduced in 2006 with its innovative motion controls, was priced at $249 USD, which equates to about $394 USD in 2025.

Wii U

The less successful Wii U, launched in 2012, retailed for $299 USD, translating to $415 USD in 2025, making it closer to the Switch 2's current pricing.

Nintendo Switch

The highly successful Nintendo Switch, released in 2017, was sold for $299 USD, or $387 USD in today's dollars, making it cheaper than the upcoming Switch 2.

When considering inflation-adjusted prices, the original NES stands out as the most expensive console Nintendo has ever launched. This historical context might not make the Switch 2's $450 price any more palatable, but it provides a perspective on the evolution of console pricing.

But what about the games?

The pricing of Switch 2 games, with titles like Mario Kart World at $80 USD and Donkey Kong Bananza at $70 USD (or $65 digitally), has been a major talking point. Comparing these prices to the early days of the NES is challenging due to the wide variance in game prices back then. An NES game in the early '90s could cost up to $45 USD, which would be $130 USD today, while others were as low as $34 USD, or $98 USD after inflation. Despite this, the current prices for Switch 2 games are still lower than the highest adjusted prices of the past. However, there's a growing concern that game prices could rise even further.

It's clear that the Switch 2 falls at the higher end of Nintendo's pricing spectrum, only surpassed by the inflation-adjusted prices of the NES and SNES. External factors like production costs and regional pricing strategies, such as the cheaper, region-locked Switch 2 for Japan at 49,980 JPY or $340 USD, also play a role in these price decisions.

How Switch 2's Price Compares to Other Consoles

Let's see how the Switch 2's pricing compares to other iconic consoles when adjusted for inflation:

PlayStation 2

The PlayStation 2, the best-selling console ever, was released in 2000 for $299 USD. In today's dollars, that's $565 USD, making it more expensive than the Switch 2.

Xbox 360

The Xbox 360, Microsoft's most successful console, launched in 2005 at $299 USD, which would be about $500 USD in 2025.

In summary, the Switch 2's pricing, while higher than its immediate predecessors, fits within the context of historical console pricing when adjusted for inflation. For more detailed insights, check out IGN's hands-on experience with the Switch 2 and their analysis of games like Mario Kart World, as well as discussions with analysts on the factors driving the Switch 2's costs.