TheNintendo Switch 2has been announced, and with it comes rampant speculation. Questions include what games will be launch titles for the new console, what accessories will be released alongside it, and, of course, how much Nintendo Switch 2 will cost. So far, no definitive price point has been revealed, but there has been a large amount of theorizing, primarily based on the price points of previous Switch consoles and the Switch 2’s potential competitors.
Previous Nintendo Switch Console Launch Prices
Theories about the potential launch price of the Nintendo Switch 2 have taken into account the launch prices of previous Nintendo Switch consoles. They are:
It is likely that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be more expensive than any of the previous Switch consoles, because it will featuremore advanced hardware. Its price point will likely be the most similar to that of the Switch OLED, which was the most hardware-intensive of the three.
Competitor Console Prices Should Also Be Considered
Notably, the various iterations of the Nintendo Switch have launched at price points on the lower end compared to other consoles that debuted around the same time. ThePlayStation 4, which predated the Switch by several years, cost $399 USD at launch, while the Xbox One launched at $499 USD. $499 and higher is standard for the current generation of consoles, with the PlayStation 5 in particular seeing high prices due to demand and supply issues at launch.
The console which is likely seen as the closest competitor to the Nintendo Switch 2 is Valve’sSteam Deck, which is similar in size and shape and also intended for handheld use. The Steam Deck comes in a range of versions which vary in battery life, display type (LCD vs. OLED), and the amount of storage available. Currently, the 256GB non-OLED Steam Deck retails for $399, with higher-tier versions typically costing between $550 and $700. One theory is that the Switch 2 will release at a price the same or lower than a 256GB Steam Deck, to avoid competition - others, however, think that the price will be higher so that the Switch 2 can portray itself as the equal to a mid- or high-tier Deck.
“High, But Not Too High” Seems A Likely Goal
Ultimately, Nintendo will likely rely on a combined strategy of maintaining its reputation for low prices while also reflecting advances in hardware and graphics via a higher launch price.$399, the same price as the256GB non-OLED Steam Deck, is one number that has been theorized. This would put it only $50 above the launch price of the Switch OLED, maintaining Nintendo’s reputation for keeping prices low.
However, other theories have put forth higher numbers, with$449and even as much as$499being floated about by some. With the Switch being nearly a decade old, the upgrade the Switch 2 represents will likely be a significant one, and Nintendo may hope to communicate that via the device’s pricing. These prices would also bring the Switch 2 more in line with the prices of other current generation consoles, such as thePlayStation 5and the Xbox Series X. Nintendo may also be more comfortable with a higher price point if they intend to release a cheaper version in the near future, as was done with the Switch Lite. Unfortunately, however, nothing will be set in stone until Nintendo reveals the official price, which may happen during the planned Switch 2-centered Nintendo Direct in April.
