Nintendo’s recent Treehouse Livestream meant to highlight the upcoming Switch 2 console quickly turned into a battleground over game pricing, as viewers flooded the chat with demands for lower prices.
The primary target of their frustration was the newly announced $80 price tag for flagship titles like Mario Kart World.
The price jump represents a significant increase from the current $60 standard for Switch games. What makes this particularly painful for fans is Nintendo’s notorious policy of rarely discounting their first-party titles, even years after release.
“$80 is too much” became a common refrain throughout the stream, drowning out discussions about the console’s technical improvements. The Switch 2 boasts notable upgrades, including a 1080p display and 120Hz refresh rate, which are substantial improvements over the original Switch hardware.
The gaming industry has been gradually shifting toward higher price points, with Sony and Microsoft having already moved to $70 games with the PS5 and Xbox Series X launches. However, Nintendo’s jump to $80 pushes this envelope further, potentially testing the limits of what consumers are willing to pay.
For casual gamers especially, this price increase could be a deterrent. While hardcore Nintendo fans will be more than willing to pay premium prices for beloved franchises, the higher entry cost might alienate more budget-conscious players who comprise a significant portion of Nintendo’s audience.
The controversy is similar to the “Pokémon Dexit” situation, where fans protested the removal of the National Pokédex from Pokémon Sword and Shield. In that case, despite the outcry, the games went on to sell exceptionally well.
Industry analysts note that the Switch 2 will be competing against devices like the Steam Deck, which offers frequent and substantial discounts on its vast game library—a stark contrast to Nintendo’s pricing strategy.
Nintendo knows we’ll still pay for Pokémon
Despite the vocal opposition, history suggests that Nintendo may hold firm on pricing. The company’s strong lineup of exclusive franchises gives it significant leverage in the market, as fans often have no alternative if they want to play the latest Mario, Zelda, or Pokémon titles.
Some observers point out that regardless of online protests, Nintendo products typically sell out at launch anyway. The original Switch faced similar criticisms regarding its price point but went on to become the third best-selling console ever.
While the livestream chat reflected intense dissatisfaction, it remains to be seen whether this will translate into actual purchasing decisions when the Switch 2 and its games hit the market.
