Potential High Price Tag for Upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 Model
Affordable Fun Times Bid Adieu, Says Nintendo
Nintendo, known for offering a cost-effective gaming experience, launched a $300 handheld hybrid console that has cemented its place as the third best-selling piece of video game hardware [6]. But, inflation, tariffs, and other factors are looming, making it unlikely for the same $300 price point to persist for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.
Spoiler alert: Analysts are hinting at prices ranging from $400 to $500 for the upcoming console [6]. The ongoing tariff drama with the current administration adds to the uncertainty, but even without these, inflation alone would take the 2017 $300 launch price to $394 by 2025 [6].
One analyst, Hideki Yasuda of Toyo Securities, predicts a whopping $500 price tag, partly due to the increased cost of chips [2]. The current Switch chip costs $80 per unit, with the new one estimated to be around $130-$150 [2].
Despite the high price predictions, the consensus among analysts is that the Switch 2 will continue Nintendo's winning streak, with some predicting sales of up to 20 million units in its first year [1][6].
Stumbling Blocks Ahead
A few factors could potentially dampen the Switch 2's success. Firstly, the global economy's uncertain trajectory by the time the Switch 2 hits the shelves might make high-price items like a $400-500 console less appealing [6].
Secondly, some gamers might see no reason to upgrade if the Switch 2 offers backward compatibility, meaning a significant portion of its catalog will be last-gen for a while [6]. However, a few big-ticket games could revive interest, especially if a new Mario Kart is launched with the system [6].
My two cents? $400 seems the most reasonable price, considering Nintendo's history and the increased costs [6]. It's highly unlikely for the Switch 2 to launch at the same price as the Xbox Series X [6].
Stay tuned for more details about the Switch 2's software on April 2, and let's hope we'll also get a glimpse of the price tag then [6].
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- The ongoing uncertainty around the global economy and the high predicted price of $400-$500 might make the Nintendo Switch 2 less appealing to consumers when it launches.
- Despite the potentially high price of the Nintendo Switch 2, some analysts predict that it could sell up to 20 million units in its first year, mirroring the success of its predecessor.
- The oft-rumored Nintendo Switch 2 is likely to cost more than its predecessor, with estimates putting the cost at around $394 in 2025, considering inflation alone, and potentially higher due to increased manufacturing costs.