(Credit: Nintendo)
Annoyed at $70 video games? Nintendo is pushing the bar even higher.
The company's flagship launch title for the Switch 2, Mario Kart World, will cost $79.99 when the console launches on June 5.
The good news is that consumers can avoid the high price tag if they buy a $499.99 Switch 2 Bundle that includes Mario Kart World. In addition, not all Switch 2 games will cost $80. A Nintendo website for the game Donkey Kong Bonanza shows it’ll release on July 17 for $69.99.
(Credit: Nintendo)Still, Mario Kart's $79.99 price tag signals a more expensive future for first-party Switch 2 titles. Nintendo previously priced other major games, such as The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, at $69.99. Higher prices might also encourage other game developers to do the same. Sega, Square Enix, and Sony already launch their titles at $70.
Switch 2 Accessories Also Get a Price Hike
In the meantime, Nintendo also released pricing for Switch 2 accessories, some of which are $10 more expensive than their predecessors. For example, the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is $79.99, up from $69.99 for the Switch 1 version. Joy-Con 2 controllers are $89.99, an increase from $79.99 for the Switch 1 model.
The standalone dock for the Switch 2 is also getting a major price hike. It’ll cost $109.99, up from the $59.99 first-gen dock. Meanwhile, the console's dedicated camera will be $49.99.
Other accessories include the Joy-Con 2 Wheel controllers, which arrive as a pair for $19.99. Nintendo has priced the official carrying case for the Switch 2 at $34.99, and an even larger, box-like carrying case that can also transport the dock is $79.99.
In Nintendo’s defense, the new hardware does pack more capabilities. For instance, the Joy-Con 2 controllers can be used as a mouse. But if you plan to buy the new console, brace yourself for a hit to your wallet, although third-party accessory vendors will no doubt offer cheaper alternatives.
Preorders begin April 9, though you can register your interest now to get an email "once it’s your turn to shop."