The announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2's $450 USD price tag has certainly stirred the gaming community, especially considering this is a higher price than what we've typically seen from Nintendo. However, with rising production costs and economic uncertainties such as tariffs, analysts had anticipated the Switch 2 to be priced at around $400 USD or more. The real surprise came with the pricing of Switch 2 games, which not only reached the new industry standard of $70 USD 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 can become quite significant.

But how does the Switch 2's launch price compare to previous Nintendo consoles when adjusted for inflation? Let's delve into the numbers:

Nintendo Switch 2 Price Vs Previous Nintendo Consoles

NES

The NES hit the market in 1985 with a launch price of $179 USD. While that may seem like a steal now, adjusted for inflation, it would cost a whopping $523 USD in 2025.

SNES

In 1991, Nintendo released the SNES at $199 USD. With inflation adjustments, that equates to $460 USD in 2025.

Nintendo 64

The 3D gaming revolution began with the Nintendo 64 in 1996, priced at $199 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that's $400 USD in today's terms.

Nintendo GameCube

The GameCube, which will see its games available on the Switch 2 via Nintendo Switch Online’s classic library, was released in 2001 for $199 USD. This translates to $359 USD in 2025 dollars.

Wii

The motion-controlled Wii became a global phenomenon upon its 2006 release at $249 USD, which equates to about $394 USD in 2025.

Wii U

The less successful Wii U was released in 2012 at $299 USD, which, adjusted for inflation, comes to $415 USD in 2025, closely aligning with the Switch 2's pricing.

Nintendo Switch

The highly successful Nintendo Switch was released in 2017 at $299 USD. Adjusted for inflation, it would cost $387 USD in today's dollars, making it cheaper than the Switch 2 at launch on June 5.

When comparing these figures, it's clear that the original NES remains the most expensive console Nintendo has launched when adjusted for inflation. However, this historical perspective doesn't necessarily make the Switch 2's price any more palatable.

Credit: IGN

But what about the games?

While the Switch 2's price was somewhat anticipated, the game pricing has been a major point of discussion. Games like Mario Kart World are priced at $80 USD, while titles like Donkey Kong Bananza come in at $70 USD (or $65 digitally). 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, or $130 USD in 2025, while others were as low as $34 USD, or $98 USD adjusted for inflation. Despite these comparisons, many believe game prices may rise even further.

The Switch 2's pricing is at the higher end of Nintendo's historical range, surpassed only by the NES and SNES. Real-world factors such as production costs and regional pricing strategies, evidenced by a cheaper, region-locked version for Japan at 49,980 JPY or $340 USD, contribute to this increase.

How Switch 2's Price Compares to Other Consoles

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

PlayStation 2

The PlayStation 2, the best-selling console of all time, launched in 2000 at $299 USD. Adjusted for inflation, it would cost $565 USD in 2025.

Xbox 360

The Xbox 360, Microsoft's most successful console at the time, was released in 2005 for $299 USD, equating to about $500 USD in 2025.

Console prices adjust for inflation. The PS3 was super expensive! Image credit: IGN

These comparisons show how the Switch 2's price stacks up against its predecessors and competitors. For more insights, check out IGN's hands-on experience with the Switch 2 and detailed analyses of games like Mario Kart World, as well as discussions with analysts on the factors driving these costs.