Can Nintendo turn Switch 2's pricing disaster around? And how?
- Thread starter Jubenhimer
- Start date
- Opinion Analysis
WhiteWaterM00se
Member
I’m not sure we should be attempting to solve Nintendo’s problems for them. But…
1.) Wait and see on tariffs, US release date may be changed.
2.) I am sure this is already in development. Nintendo Switch 2 Home …will replace Nintendo Switch 2 Lite. Available holiday 2026 for less than $299.
3.) Green light some more 3ds/wii u ports than can be ready in 24 months for both Switch.1 & Switch 2. Need additional revenue streams
4.) 2026 is Wii 20th anniversary. Have classic console ready for 2026 with 10 games and two Wii motes for $149.99
5.) Nintendo prepares Nintendo Online for mobile!!! NES, GB, GBA, and SNES games for mobile for $20/yr. Controller or touch controls. (Some games will be different due to controls).
6.) Nintendo needs to pad out Switch 2 with HD remakes. 1080 Snowboarding, Wave Race, Excite Truck, Mario Galaxy 1 & 2, Fire Emblem games, more Metroid remakes, etc. Get these games going so you have 2-3 a year! Reason is it is a lower cost filler that will sell reasonably well.
7.) Money hat 3rd parties. Certain titles must be there, even if Nintendo helps pay for them. GTA VI, Red Dead 2, monster hunter, COD, Genshin impact, Lleague of legends, World of Warcraft, FFXIV, Fortnite, Minecraft, all the sports must be represented with at least one version. (NASCAR, NHL, Golf, Madden, ea fc, nba 2k, wrestling, etc)
8.) Work with Xbox and PlayStation and get some ports on Switch 2.
9.) Finally, some Nintendo games need to go to pc/xbox/ps. Bayonetta trilogy, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, etc. These types of games need to recoup investment.
10.) Get into the e-sport scene. Get more e-sports titles on Switch 2. This could be a niche for console gaming that Nintendo can offer. Especially with mouse and keyboard controls.
***Remember, just like Sony, whatever Nintendo has been making new 1st party wise is deep in development. So, those games are coming for good or bad. ***. These games take almost a whole console generation to get developed.
11.) Depending on what is happening behind the scenes, there may be a leadership change. Get that sorted after launch.
NINTENDO SWITCH 2 Must be re-introduced to a world wide audience and explain everything clearly. Clear communication. Transparency.
I would suggest adding more games in as well, 1st and 3rd parties. Clear communication on price, games, how cart works, how digital works, availability by region, etc. EVERYTHING.
I am tech savvy, but when i see other people who are tech savvy, saying “i don’t understand”. Then we have a problem. Casual consumers will not understand.
Nintendo’s June Direct, needs to become a May reintroduction. And it needs to be amazing. The greatest direct they have ever had.
1.) Wait and see on tariffs, US release date may be changed.
2.) I am sure this is already in development. Nintendo Switch 2 Home …will replace Nintendo Switch 2 Lite. Available holiday 2026 for less than $299.
3.) Green light some more 3ds/wii u ports than can be ready in 24 months for both Switch.1 & Switch 2. Need additional revenue streams
4.) 2026 is Wii 20th anniversary. Have classic console ready for 2026 with 10 games and two Wii motes for $149.99
5.) Nintendo prepares Nintendo Online for mobile!!! NES, GB, GBA, and SNES games for mobile for $20/yr. Controller or touch controls. (Some games will be different due to controls).
6.) Nintendo needs to pad out Switch 2 with HD remakes. 1080 Snowboarding, Wave Race, Excite Truck, Mario Galaxy 1 & 2, Fire Emblem games, more Metroid remakes, etc. Get these games going so you have 2-3 a year! Reason is it is a lower cost filler that will sell reasonably well.
7.) Money hat 3rd parties. Certain titles must be there, even if Nintendo helps pay for them. GTA VI, Red Dead 2, monster hunter, COD, Genshin impact, Lleague of legends, World of Warcraft, FFXIV, Fortnite, Minecraft, all the sports must be represented with at least one version. (NASCAR, NHL, Golf, Madden, ea fc, nba 2k, wrestling, etc)
8.) Work with Xbox and PlayStation and get some ports on Switch 2.
9.) Finally, some Nintendo games need to go to pc/xbox/ps. Bayonetta trilogy, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, etc. These types of games need to recoup investment.
10.) Get into the e-sport scene. Get more e-sports titles on Switch 2. This could be a niche for console gaming that Nintendo can offer. Especially with mouse and keyboard controls.
***Remember, just like Sony, whatever Nintendo has been making new 1st party wise is deep in development. So, those games are coming for good or bad. ***. These games take almost a whole console generation to get developed.
11.) Depending on what is happening behind the scenes, there may be a leadership change. Get that sorted after launch.
NINTENDO SWITCH 2 Must be re-introduced to a world wide audience and explain everything clearly. Clear communication. Transparency.
I would suggest adding more games in as well, 1st and 3rd parties. Clear communication on price, games, how cart works, how digital works, availability by region, etc. EVERYTHING.
I am tech savvy, but when i see other people who are tech savvy, saying “i don’t understand”. Then we have a problem. Casual consumers will not understand.
Nintendo’s June Direct, needs to become a May reintroduction. And it needs to be amazing. The greatest direct they have ever had.
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DeltaPolarBear
Member
As someone who watched console gaming from the beginning, I don't see Switch2 as being too expensive.
However, it is absolutely true that most people feel poorer than ever, so it makes sense that they are feeling the squeeze and is now mad that they can't afford something that isn't essential to life.
Nintendo isn't greedy. It is what it is. If you can't afford to play Nintendo then you can't afford it. Been like that from decades past. it was normal for someone to play one Nintendo game day in and day out because that one game is all that they can afford. Times are tough, but it is not Nintendo's fault.
However, it is absolutely true that most people feel poorer than ever, so it makes sense that they are feeling the squeeze and is now mad that they can't afford something that isn't essential to life.
Nintendo isn't greedy. It is what it is. If you can't afford to play Nintendo then you can't afford it. Been like that from decades past. it was normal for someone to play one Nintendo game day in and day out because that one game is all that they can afford. Times are tough, but it is not Nintendo's fault.
Astray
Member
When you can't defend what's happening, make a fake meme instead and laugh at the fake reality you just concocted in your head.Right, not at all :^)
$700 console that you can replace with a $450 one if you wanted, and a full remake of the PS3 game, not a remaster or a patch of a past-gen game.
Ryu_Joestar
Member
A full absolutely necessary remake of a PS3 game that got released 3 times within 10 years, amazing :^)
How can you gaslight yourself with those mental gymnastics goes beyond comprehension lmao
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Lethal01
Member
I dont mean game saves I mean even if you can't play mario kart directly off the harddrive you should be able to store ther 12gb game there.
Mownoc
Member
Nothing is stopping Nintendo dropping their games to $70 tomorrow except greed. Do I think they will? No.
But Nintendo games typically have low dev costs, remain close to their RRP for a long time and keep selling for w long time.
Mario Party does not cost a lot to make yet sells 10m+ easily. Super Mario Party may have crossed the $1 billion revenue mark for them. They don't need to charge $80 or even $70.
So Nintendo could easily turn the negative perception around and still be very profitable, but they won't.
But Nintendo games typically have low dev costs, remain close to their RRP for a long time and keep selling for w long time.
Mario Party does not cost a lot to make yet sells 10m+ easily. Super Mario Party may have crossed the $1 billion revenue mark for them. They don't need to charge $80 or even $70.
So Nintendo could easily turn the negative perception around and still be very profitable, but they won't.
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BlackTron
Member
Oh I see what you're saying, yeah that would be a pretty good solution. Like Series games on a HDD.
ShaiKhulud1989
Gold Member
Ah yes, overprice previous gen to hell so that the new device will look like a bagain.
The oldest trick in the books. But even if we ignore that Switch 2 itself is more on the expensive side, the accessories are a total dumpster-fire cost-wise. $80 for a controller without even proper triggers and $60 for a shitty 720p webcam? Really? And some people were upset with Portal, lol.
NeoIkaruGAF
Gold Member
Fortunately, Nintendo have a product for those who bitch about the price of the Nintendo Switch 2. It’s called the Nintendo Switch.
phant0m
Member
The only genuine disaster I see is charging for a fucking demo/tutorial. It should 100% be a free pack-in which I think by launch they will backtrack to (or soon after and refund any buyers).
It would be a disaster if they also have to up the price due to tariffs instead of eating it but we haven’t crossed that bridge yet
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VulcanRaven
Member
I'm sure it will be a success even with high prices. The fans will buy it.
PeteBull
Member
Astray
Member
Was a $70 version of Zelda Breath of the Wild "necessary"?
Newsflash for you.. The entire video game industry is not "necessary". There are countless people who have lived their entire lives without picking up a controller.
JusticeForAll
Gold Member
It seems to be sold out everywhere it was already possible to preorder in my part in the world. Don't get your hopes up: everything is getting more expensive, also this hobby, which at the end of the day is a luxury. And while being a luxury, it's probably not even close to the price increase of other things. I'm a metalhead for example and love to go to festivals and concerts. Unless you go to your local bar for concerts, I can guarantee you that any concert ticket and consumption went up much more over the last 10 to 20 years than games.
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You ignored the part he talks about the PS5 for $450. You're the one full of gas.
Ryu_Joestar
Member
Sakura
Member
I really don't understand these threads/posts.
If in the future we are looking at June NPD numbers and the Switch 2 didn't perform well, then yeah, sure.
But as it stands, there is no indication that the Switch 2 and MK won't sell well, at least at launch. There is nothing to turn around at the current point in time.
If in the future we are looking at June NPD numbers and the Switch 2 didn't perform well, then yeah, sure.
But as it stands, there is no indication that the Switch 2 and MK won't sell well, at least at launch. There is nothing to turn around at the current point in time.
Shaki12345
Gold Member
Most people here complaining about the price wouldn't have bought it anyway.
That should tell you all you need to know.
That should tell you all you need to know.
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Lmao, what much cheaper price? Nintendo games never go down in price!. Botw, a 2017 game, WiiU cross-gen game at that, it's still sold new for $60. If you're lucky you can get it for $50, and this still the case 8 YEARS later.
You can make fun all you want about PS5 remasters, but the truth is Nintendo rips people off. All PS5 remasters for PS5 offer a $10 upgrade path from the old PS4 games. All those games have come down in price ages ago, some of them could be bought as cheap as $10 even before the PS5 launched!
Zelda BoTW and the rest of them? might as well buy the full SW2 edition if you don't own the game, it may even be less expensive lol.
Also, TLOU part II aside, which other PS5 remaster is sold without an $10 upgrade path? Because Nintendo on the other hand will have differently priced upgrade packs and you can expect to see more SW2 versions of old-ass games being sold for $70 or even $80 as Mario Party Jamboree!
Ryu_Joestar
Member
pre-owned games lmao! Even those are as expensive as recent releases on other platforms. LMAO. Why is this crying about me being obsessed and not caring? who says I don't care? Do you want me to stop hammering you with facts and good arguments? Should I give you break, little tulip?
Ryu_Joestar
Member
Great reply. It's evident you don't have anything better.Damn the toddler's melting, sorry for touching your favourite console sweety
Ryu_Joestar
Member
yeah, you really showed me who the toddler is with your grown-up conversation replies. The mean guy won't bother you anymore, promise.
nkill20
Member
ok don mattrick
WhiteWaterM00se
Member
You are 100% wrong. Rightfully, your concept is 100% right. But we operate in an echo chamber of like minded individuals. You and me are considered “core” gamers or “core” tech people. Sometimes also called “early adopters”.
How about families who make up Nintendo’s largest audience. What families will do is turn to iPad and Chromebook. Then console gaming has a much larger problem. A whole generation of kids is turning to mobile and Chrome even more than they already are. It could heavily damage console gaming in totality. Every company, every system. This puts even more money in Roblox’s pocket. Roblox is the greatest threat to console gaming.
This is a very complex situation on SO MANY levels, it is almost mind boggling. Will we just usher in streaming? How would core people react to permanent to Xcloud?
What happens if trade war leads to real global war? How does Nintendo prepare themselves for global disruption for the longer term? Does Nintendo invest heavily in mobile? Half their games become mobile games, etc? What about Sony?
It is mind boggling. And if you think Nintendo is alone in this. I guarantee CEO’s from all gaming companies are on the phone with each other these last few days.
What happens if GTA VI announces a $80 price, and people revolt? Let alone a higher price.
It would likely sink Take Two, and how about Xbox and PlayStation who are counting on GTA to reinvigorate sales?
This is the wildest tech situation of my lifetime, and i am middle aged. The last thing even remotely like this was either Napster, or MS up for anti-trust. Both were back in late 90’s/early 2000’s.
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Synless
Member
You are not too far off the mark. I have several children and 95% of their time is gaming on iPads. I have a library of games well over 1000 games strong and I can’t get them to play shit, new or old.
All of their buddies btw, same fucking thing.
The price of this console ain’t the issue though, it’s priced well. The issue is between an iPad that can do a ton of things that even a parent can pick up and use from time to time vs a console that does one thing… the choice is easy with consumer spend.
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Horseganador
Member
Why would Nintendo do something if its fanboys are going to swallow it and jump through hoops by buying it day one.
GoldenEye98
posts news as their odd job
Historically launches are always "good" though. There is always enough demand to have it sell out and claim success.
It's more what happens after you satisfy those first few million units/first few months.
GTA6 can be $80 no problem. People will buy it in droves regardless. Lots of people spend years, whole gens playing the same game, $80 is no big deal. GTAV is around 210 million sold. If 10% of those are willing to buy it at $80 (or higher, including special editions) that's 21 million sold right there. They rest can jump in as they see price cuts eventually to fit their budget/FOMO level, but they will eventually bite, and I'm inclined to believe a huge amount of people will buy it before it's lower than $60, a price I see it coming down to (if launched at $80) by BF 2027.
OGM_Madness
Member
The history of the Switch 2 reminds me of the 3DS:
The Nintendo 3DS pricing controversy of 2011 offers a fascinating precedent for the current Switch 2 pricing debates. When Nintendo launched the 3DS at $249.99, consumer hesitation led to disappointing sales, forcing a dramatic $80 price cut merely five months after launch. Recognizing the potential backlash from early adopters, Nintendo implemented the "Ambassador Program," granting those who purchased at full price exclusive access to 20 free downloadable games (including 10 NES and 10 GBA titles) as compensation for their loyalty. This gesture, while appreciated by many enthusiasts, highlighted Nintendo's recognition that they had miscalculated market expectations—a lesson that seems particularly relevant as rumors swirl about potential pricing strategies for the Switch's successor.
What games do you want on your Switch 2 Ambassador program?
The Nintendo 3DS pricing controversy of 2011 offers a fascinating precedent for the current Switch 2 pricing debates. When Nintendo launched the 3DS at $249.99, consumer hesitation led to disappointing sales, forcing a dramatic $80 price cut merely five months after launch. Recognizing the potential backlash from early adopters, Nintendo implemented the "Ambassador Program," granting those who purchased at full price exclusive access to 20 free downloadable games (including 10 NES and 10 GBA titles) as compensation for their loyalty. This gesture, while appreciated by many enthusiasts, highlighted Nintendo's recognition that they had miscalculated market expectations—a lesson that seems particularly relevant as rumors swirl about potential pricing strategies for the Switch's successor.
What games do you want on your Switch 2 Ambassador program?
Even before considering the absurd pricing I don’t see what is compelling 150 million switch owners to upgrade to a system that looks and acts just like the one they already own. Mario kart is not gta or cod or any of the other big franchises people upgrade their PS consoles for. Just getting the Nintendo diehards on board isn’t enough.
It seems Nintendo execs really believe that Wii U would have turned out differently had they simply named it Wii 2 instead.
It seems Nintendo execs really believe that Wii U would have turned out differently had they simply named it Wii 2 instead.
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WhiteWaterM00se
Member
I agree with you. But, to my knowledge, we have never seen a game with a budget the size of GTA VI. Will GTA VI sell 50 million units at $80? Most likely. But what if Take Two needs it to sell 100 million units?
This is where things go fuzzy. We just don’t know. Rockstar and Take Two know, or have an idea. GTA VI is very much the experiment for this kind of AAAAA budget. First of it’s kind. HIGH RISK / HIGH REWARD.
Remember the GTA V creators left for this very reason.
So, we will see how profitable it is in the end. Again, so much uncertainty right now. And again, if you can not convert the kids from iPad and Chrome, then there is a big problem down the road as they grow.
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asdasdasdbb
Member
The history of the Switch 2 reminds me of the 3DS:
The Nintendo 3DS pricing controversy of 2011 offers a fascinating precedent for the current Switch 2 pricing debates. When Nintendo launched the 3DS at $249.99, consumer hesitation led to disappointing sales, forcing a dramatic $80 price cut merely five months after launch. Recognizing the potential backlash from early adopters, Nintendo implemented the "Ambassador Program," granting those who purchased at full price exclusive access to 20 free downloadable games (including 10 NES and 10 GBA titles) as compensation for their loyalty. This gesture, while appreciated by many enthusiasts, highlighted Nintendo's recognition that they had miscalculated market expectations—a lesson that seems particularly relevant as rumors swirl about potential pricing strategies for the Switch's successor.
What games do you want on your Switch 2 Ambassador program?
I think that's unlikely to happen. Rushing out the Lite, yeah, that could happen.
GoldenEye98
posts news as their odd job
Lite model would probably require a more advanced node in terms of the chip.
Also Switch 2 Lite even at a lower price point could be a hard sell in some ways because you can't distinguish the hardware in the same way from Switch 1 like you can with Switch 2 regular model....you couldn't point to larger screen, larger joycons, mouse mode etc....
20 million units sold at $80 equals 1.6 BILLION dollars in brute revenue. Subtract the 30% cut for platform holders plus sales fee (1-2%). Marketing is front-loaded, and then those costs are drastically reduced after launch window. I mean, no matter the split, we're talking around $55 for each copy sold going to T2 & Rockstar pockets. That's 1.1 Billion dollars. Subtract seversl hundred million for marketing + anything extra, how much? 400 million? Does development costs surpass 700 million? Both amounts may be higher, most likely, but I'd say the will be at least already in profitability after selling around 30 milliion alone not even counting the haul of mtx which is where the real money comes afterwards for some long years. They probably don't pay 30% to platform holders, more like 20-25% after certain amount maybe, because it's a high-sales product and in the case of PS5 it's going to move a lot of hardware for them. GTA6 would be alright selling at $80, it will sell over 30 million in its first year alone, easy.
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WhiteWaterM00se
Member
Gamerfan81
Member
If you hate the Nintendo prices so much. Just go sail the high seas, since I'm pretty sure an emulator will be out within a few months for the Switch 2.
Me? I'll happily pay these prices for Nintendo products since they offer me something that the other 2 don't. Fun and escapism without any mention of politics or social issues. I play games to have fun, not be reminded of the realities of the world. They provide me a service that I immensely enjoy and value with regards to that kind of professionalism.
Me? I'll happily pay these prices for Nintendo products since they offer me something that the other 2 don't. Fun and escapism without any mention of politics or social issues. I play games to have fun, not be reminded of the realities of the world. They provide me a service that I immensely enjoy and value with regards to that kind of professionalism.
Imru’ al-Qays
Member
Steam Deck costs less and the games are free.
asdasdasdbb
Member
Not sure what you mean. They could get rid of the Dock, the joycons and only make it fixed, etc. Depends on where the BOM costs are.
asdasdasdbb
Member
Yeah, that's the dirty little secret bout the Steam Deck. Emulation piracy is probally the #1 thing people use it for.
Generic
Member
The Last of Us remake is on the PS+, but Nintendo is charging $70 for a port of Breath of the Wild.Right, not at all :^)
Killer8
Member
Wages have outpaced inflation for years and are higher than they've ever been.
GoldenEye98
posts news as their odd job
I'm not talking about the price but the features.
Obviously Lite model would be cheaper...but it would be harder to distinguish from Switch 1 in some areas.