It’s been a weird week for Nintendo.

Nintendo finally pulled the curtain back on its next console during an epic Direct—and yep, they dropped the price too. It’s launching at $449.99, with a $500 bundle that includes Mario Kart World.

Honestly? I thought the price was fair. From what we saw, the new console looks like a beefed-up Switch—same core vibe, just sharper under the hood.

But over on Reddit and across the comment sections of the internet, gamers were not chill about it. One major sticking point? Mario Kart World is priced at an eye-watering $80 if you buy it solo. For comparison, Donkey Kong Bananza is going for $70—which only adds to the confusion.

To top it off, Nintendo delayed pre-orders (originally set for April 9), blaming the move on “tariffs” and “evolving market conditions.”

So yeah, it’s been a week.

Why I’m OK with the Switch 2’s Price

Let’s be real: gaming has always been expensive—and it’s only getting pricier.

A PlayStation 5 Slim with nothing bundled? That’s $500. Want the PS5 Pro? You’re looking at $700. If you’re like me and still prefer physical discs, add another $80 for a drive. With taxes? Let’s just round it up to $800.

So when I see the Switch 2 clocking in at $500 with a legit launch title, 4K docked mode, 1080p handheld, and chunkier, more refined Joy-Cons? Yeah, I’m in. For now, I think it earns its price tag.

Accessory Avalanche (But Nothing Shocking)

The accessories aren’t all that surprising either. Here’s a quick rundown:

• Switch 2 Pro Controller – $79.99
• Joy-Con 2 Controllers – $89.99
• Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip – $34.99
• Switch 2 Camera – $49.99

The good news? A bunch of original Switch accessories still work with the new console.

When I Won’t Be OK With The Price

Here’s where it gets murky.

Nintendo’s vague delay of the pre-order rollout left folks speculating. Their official line mentioned tariffs and market conditions—but that’s corporate speak for “we’re still figuring it out.”

Will the price go up? Are they worried about manufacturing bottlenecks? Who knows.

If the price jumps by $100, I’m still probably in. But anything beyond that? I’ll happily wait for the game library to fill out. I’d like to believe Nintendo will toe the line here… but these are weird times.

Game Costs

Game prices are creeping up too—and Nintendo has always been stubborn about discounts. A five-year-old game will still run you full price, and the ones that do go on sale are obscure titles that nobody wants.

So why is Mario Kart World $80 by itself… but bundled with the console for just $50 more?

It feels like Nintendo is willing to sacrifice some game sales in exchange for stronger console adoption. It’s a calculated play—and it makes sense if you’re trying to dominate living rooms out of the gate.

But is this just a Nintendo thing, or are we looking at the new normal? There’s already chatter that Grand Theft Auto IV might hit $100. Yikes.

Look, if I’m shelling out $70 (or more) on a game, I expect solid gameplay, strong length, and legit replay value. Anything north of $80? It better blow me away.

Final Thoughts

So yeah—I’m cool with the Switch 2’s price for now.

I really don’t envy the decision makers with Nintendo. Ultimately, they’re a business and what they do has to make fiscal sense, never mind the odd economic happenings.

But if Nintendo really jacks up the price without adding value? I’ll gladly wait.