Nintendo is in the public spotlight after the price of games for Nintendo Switch 2 was rumored to reach $80. This news comes after fans discovered the price list for the title Mario Kart WorldThe game is considered the flagship game for the latest console generation. In addition to surprising many gamers, this situation also raises many questions about the direction of Nintendo's pricing strategy in the future.
Also Read: Nintendo Switch 2 Features, Release Date, and Price
High Prices that Invite Attention
Based on reports from GameSpot, Mario Kart World will sell for $80 in the United States region. In other countries like Spain, the digital version is priced at €80, while the physical version is even more expensive at €90. This makes Mario Kart World as one of the most expensive Nintendo games in history.
Not only that, other titles such as Donkey Kong Bananza also shows an increasing price pattern. The game is available digitally for €70 and in physical format for €80. When compared to the game The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom released in 2023 with a price of $70, this price increase is quite significant.
Some gamers were disappointed, considering Nintendo has been known as a company that tends to keep the prices of their games stable, even after many years.
Official Response from Nintendo
In response to media inquiries and reactions from fans, Doug Bowser, president of Nintendo of America, gave an official explanation. In an interview reported by EurogamerBowser explained that the $80 price for the Mario Kart World determined by the quality, breadth of content, and depth of gameplay offered.
Bowser emphasized that Nintendo uses a variable pricing. This means that not all games will have the same price, and pricing decisions are made based on each title. He gave the example that Donkey Kong Bananza remains on sale at $70, and some other games will be available at even lower prices.
As another example, the game Switch 2 Welcome Tour will reportedly be priced around £5, confirming that Nintendo still maintains flexibility in their pricing strategy.
Strategy or Experimentation?
With this statement from Doug Bowser, it's clear that Nintendo is trying a new approach to pricing their games. However, this also raises a new question: will the $80 price be the new standard for AAA games on Switch 2?
Looking at the industry trend, Sony and Microsoft have also raised the price of their AAA games to $70 since the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X era began. Nintendo, which had maintained the $60 price for longer, seems to be adjusting to the new industry standard.
But the difference lies in consistency. Sony and Microsoft generally set uniform prices for exclusive games, while Nintendo still maintains a per-title pricing system. This can be an advantage for gamers who don't want to pay high prices for all games, but it also risks creating confusion in the market.
The increase in the price of Nintendo Switch 2 games to $80 has indeed caused widespread discussion among gamers. However, through an explanation from Doug Bowser, it appears that Nintendo has no intention of setting the price as a fixed standard. A flexible approach and customization based on each game's content is the foundation of their strategy.
For those of you who can't wait for Mario Kart WorldThe $80's price tag may feel heavy. But if the quality and content really live up to Nintendo's promise, many gamers will likely still buy it.
