The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct provided the pricing details and pre-order information many were waiting for, but not many were prepared for the sticker shock that came with it. The Switch 2 will launch on June 5th at a price of $449, fairly reasonable considering the hardware upgrades we're getting.
What shocked many, however, was the price of the first Switch 2 first-party game: Mario Kart World. As a standalone title, Mario Kart World is priced at a whopping $79.99 for digital and $89.99 for physical. While it's technically only $50 if you purchase it through the Switch 2 bundle, the game's standalone price marks a new high for Nintendo first-party titles.
But Nintendo's pricing seems to be a bit erratic right now. Donkey Kong Bananza, another title announced for Switch 2, is listed at $69.99. Nintendo has not yet provided any reasoning for the price discrepancy but it appears that most Switch 2 games will cost at least $70 — even previous Switch games being re-released for the Switch 2.
U.S. retailers have begun listing Switch 2 games, giving us our first bit of insight into Nintendo's pricing. According to Walmart, the Switch 2 Editions of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Kirby and The Forgotten Land and Super Mario Party Jamboree will cost $80. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Switch 2 Edition is priced at $70.
According to Nintendo, "The Nintendo Switch™ 2 Edition of a game is a bundle that includes the original game and its upgrade pack, which enhances the game to take advantage of the capabilities of the Nintendo Switch 2 system."
The contents and enhancements of the upgrade pack vary by game, but Nintendo notes that they can include visual improvements, new features, and additional game modes.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, for example, includes improved frame rates and resolution, faster load times, HDR support, and support for the ZELDA NOTES service via Nintendo Switch App. Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV offers new ways to play exclusive to the Switch 2, new modes that use mouse controls, a microphone, and a camera, GameShare for local multiplayer, and improved frame rate. Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World will introduce the new "Star-Crossed World" story and improve visuals and frame rate.
The prices listed above are the costs if you don't already own the game and are buying them for the first time on the Switch 2. However, if you do already have the original Switch game — as either a physical or digital version — you can upgrade to the Nintendo Switch 2 edition by purchasing the game's upgrade pack, presumably at a much lower price. Nintendo has yet to announce how much the upgrade pack will cost.
The upgrade packs for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Nintendo Switch 2 Editions are included with a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership at no additional cost as long as you own the original titles and maintain an active membership.
Future Nintendo games like Pokemon Legends: Z-A and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond — both of which are coming to the original Switch as well as the Switch 2 — will have exclusive Switch 2 Editions with special upgrade features. We haven't seen pricing for these two games yet, but we can probably expect them to range anywhere between $70 to $90 given Nintendo's current pricing strategy.