The announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2's $450 USD price tag certainly raised eyebrows, considering it's higher than what we've typically seen from Nintendo. However, with rising production costs and economic factors like tariffs, industry analysts had anticipated the Switch 2 would cost at least $400 USD. Perhaps even more surprising was the pricing of Switch 2 games, which not only matched the new $70 USD standard for new releases but soared to $80 USD for titles like Mario Kart World. When you factor in the costs of additional accessories needed for the full Switch 2 experience, the total investment becomes quite substantial.
But how does the Switch 2's price compare when adjusted for inflation against previous Nintendo consoles? And how does it stack up against other gaming systems? Let's dive into the numbers and see what we find.
Nintendo Switch 2 Price Vs Previous Nintendo Consoles
NES
The NES, released in 1985, was priced at $179 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that would equate to a hefty $523 USD in 2025. Quite a jump!
SNES
Following the NES, the SNES hit the market in 1991 at $199 USD. Adjusted for inflation, it would cost $460 USD in 2025, showing a slight decrease in relative cost compared to the NES.
Nintendo 64
The Nintendo 64 marked Nintendo's entry into 3D gaming in 1996, with the same launch price of $199 USD as the SNES. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to $400 USD in 2025.
Nintendo GameCube
The GameCube, whose games are now accessible via the Nintendo Switch Online's classic library, launched in 2001 for $199 USD, or $359 USD when adjusted for inflation.
Wii
The motion-controlled Wii became a global sensation upon its 2006 release, priced at $249 USD. Adjusted for inflation, it would be about $394 USD in 2025.
Wii U
The Wii U didn't fare as well as its predecessor but still launched in 2012 for $299 USD, translating to $415 USD in 2025, bringing it closer to the Switch 2's pricing.
Nintendo Switch
The wildly successful Nintendo Switch, released in 2017, was priced at $299 USD, which adjusts to $387 USD in today's dollars, making it cheaper than the upcoming Switch 2, set to hit the shelves on June 5.
So, when we adjust for inflation, the original NES turns out to be the most expensive console Nintendo has ever launched. Does this make the Switch 2's price any more palatable? Not really.
Credit: IGN
But what about the games?
While the Switch 2's console price was anticipated, the pricing of its games caused quite a stir. Mario Kart World, for example, will retail at a steep $80 USD, with other titles like Donkey Kong Bananza priced at $70 USD (or $65 digitally).
Comparing this to the earliest NES cartridges, where prices varied widely, we see that an NES game in the early 90s could cost up to $45 USD, or $130 USD in 2025, while some were as low as $34 USD, or $98 USD after adjusting for inflation. Despite these higher historical prices, there's a prevailing concern that game costs could escalate further.
It's understandable that the Switch 2 falls at the higher end of Nintendo's pricing spectrum, surpassed only by the NES and SNES when adjusted for inflation. Real-world economic factors are likely contributors to this increase, evidenced by the cheaper, region-locked Switch 2 model announced for Japan, priced at 49,980 JPY, or about $340 USD.
How Switch 2's Price Compares to Other Consoles
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2, released in 2000 and the best-selling console ever, was priced at $299 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that would be $565 USD in 2025.
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360, Microsoft's most successful console, launched in 2005 for $299 USD, which adjusts to about $500 USD in 2025.
Console prices adjusted for inflation reveal some surprising figures. The PS3, for instance, was notably expensive in its time. Image credit: IGN
This analysis shows how the Switch 2's price compares not only to its predecessors but also to some of its competitors. For more insights, be sure to check out IGN's hands-on with the Switch 2, as well as detailed coverage of games like Mario Kart World. Additionally, don't miss our discussions with analysts on the reasons behind the Switch 2's pricing and the associated costs.
