Nintendo is carefully considering multiple factors as it deliberates on the pricing of the upcoming Switch 2. While industry analysts have speculated to IGN that the console might launch at $400 later this year, Nintendo has not yet confirmed the price.
In a recent Q&A session with investors, Nintendo's president, Shuntaro Furukawa, addressed the potential pricing of the Switch 2. He acknowledged that since the original Nintendo Switch was launched in 2017, both inflation and exchange rates have significantly changed. Furukawa emphasized the importance of considering consumer expectations for Nintendo product pricing, along with these economic factors. "We are aware that, in addition to how inflation is currently proceeding, the exchange rate environment has also changed significantly since around the time we launched Nintendo Switch in 2017," Furukawa stated. "We also need to consider the price range that consumers expect for Nintendo products. We think a multifaceted consideration of these factors is needed when deciding on the price of a product. I cannot tell you a specific price for Nintendo Switch 2 at this time, but we are taking various factors into account."
AnswerSee ResultsIt's crucial to understand the context here. The original Nintendo Switch was launched at $299.99 and has maintained that price for several years. Now, nearly eight years later, the question arises: what price range do consumers now expect from Nintendo products? Competitors like Sony and Microsoft have recently increased the prices of their current-generation consoles due to rising costs and shifts in inflation and currency values.
As previously mentioned, analysts anticipate that Nintendo will set the Switch 2's price at $400. This would represent an increase from the $300 launch price of the original Switch, which Nintendo still holds today, excluding sales or bundles. The Nintendo Switch OLED model is priced at $350, and the Nintendo Switch Lite at $200. Although details on the Switch 2's specifications and features remain sparse beyond the brief reveal by Nintendo, indications suggest a more advanced, powerful console, making a $400 price point seem plausible.
Nintendo Switch 2 - First Look
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Nintendo has scheduled a Switch 2 Direct for April 2, promising a more detailed look at the console following its initial reveal last month. The initial showcase provided a glimpse of the Switch 2's design, hinted at the possibility of Mario Kart 9, and introduced a new 'mouse' mode for the updated Joy-Con controllers.
However, many questions about the Switch 2 remain unanswered, such as the function of the new Joy-Con button, the console's processing power, and the purpose of its new ports. Nintendo plans to address these questions through Switch 2 hands-on events in various global cities.
In the meantime, Furukawa confirmed that Nintendo has no intention of altering the price of the original Switch, despite the upcoming launch of the Switch 2, indicating stability in its current pricing strategy.
