Opinion: The Defense of Nintendo Switch 2 Game Prices

Let’s get this out of the way: being upset about the Nintendo Switch 2 game prices is okay. Seeing titles climb to $79.99 stings, especially for loyal fans who’ve stuck with Nintendo through their worst. I also feel it. But I can’t stand constantly seeing baseless takes about how “Greedy Nintendo” or “Arrogant Nintendo” is back. This is not that. This wasn’t a decision pushed by corporate greed—it was the price of progress.

Nintendo Switch 2 Editions: Guilty

I was against paying extra for graphical upgrades on PS5 first-party games and against doing it for the Nintendo Switch 2. Something like Kirby and the Forgotten Land can be justified—it’s essentially a $20 expansion. If this was announced at the Nintendo Switch Direct last week, it would be a hit with fans, however, it being tied to the Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade has muddied the waters.

The Legend of Zelda duo, however? They don’t bring enough new to the table for that $10 bump. This is essentially what Playstation did, and something I won’t defend. The only silver lining is their inclusion in the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. It softens the blow while making the service even more invaluable for Switch fans.

The Curious Case of the $70 Switch Game

To understand the Nintendo Switch 2’s game pricing, we need to rewind to the original Nintendo Switch. Most games launched at $59.99, a consistent cap that lasted most of the generation. Then came The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (will be referred to as TOTK), which hit shelves at $69.99.

Fans grumbled, but it aligned with AAA titles on Xbox Series and PS5 consoles. More importantly, it was a beast of a game, pushing boundaries with physics and scope that no Switch (or any other platform) title had touched previously.

Because of that, it was accepted and sold amazingly–10 million in 3 days. Yet, after TOTK, no other Switch 1 game followed the $70 trend. Why? Because TOTK was the only first-party shipping on a 32GB cartridge, which costs significantly more than the 16GB standard.

Nintendo has been eating cartridge costs since the Switch debuted in 2017. Unlike Blu-ray discs, which Sony and Microsoft use for their consoles, Nintendo Switch cartridges are pricier. Reports suggest a 32GB cartridge is 60% more expensive than a 50GB Blu-ray. Back on the 3DS, game sizes were small enough that cartridge costs stayed manageable. On the Switch, even the baseline 16GB carts outstrip Blu-ray in price, yet Nintendo kept games at $59.99 regardless.

Why The Nintendo Switch 2 Committed the Crime

Now, fast-forward to the Nintendo Switch 2. Physical game prices are jumping to $79.99 and $89.99 in some regions, with digital versions shaving off $10.

Take Donkey Kong Bananza, a 32GB title: it’s $70 digital, $80 physical. Compare that to Tears of the Kingdom, where a 32GB cart justified a $10 bump to $70. So why the extra $10 for Bananza’s physical version? Two reasons stand out.

First, Nintendo is nudging players toward digital. The Switch boasts the highest physical-to-digital sales ratio among modern consoles, and a price gap could sway buyers to eShop purchases. It’s not the most consumer-friendly tactic, I’ll admit.

The second reason ties to hardware; the Nintendo Switch 2’s cartridges aren’t the same as the Switch 1’s. Nintendo revamped the carts that comply with the console’s upgraded SSD-like storage speeds. Faster tech means higher costs, and $80 likely reflects what’s needed to balance the cost of a 32GB physical copy.

Then there’s Mario Kart World, priced at $89.99 physically in most regions. It’s confirmed to use a 64GB cartridge—a size the Switch 1 never saw. If a 32GB cart adds $10 over a 16GB one, a 64GB cart logically tacks on another $10. The math checks out: bigger carts and bills. Nintendo’s not pocketing extra profit here; they’re passing on production costs.

Nintendo Switch 2 Third Parties–Are They Accomplices?

As we can already see, third-party titles like Street Fighter 6 and Bravely Default Remaster are sidestepping pricey cartridges with Game Key Cards. Nintendo created these to act and look like physical carts. You insert them into your Nintendo Switch 2, however, they hold no game data and trigger a download instead. This is very similar to the workaround used by third-party developers on Switch 1, except the box would only contain a code to grab a digital copy of the game.

What makes the Game Key Card different? Unlike the codes that would be tied to your account forever, these Key Cards can be resold or lent to a friend, mimicking the flexibility of physical media. It’s a great middle ground that allows third-party games to launch “physically” on the Switch 2 without jacking up prices to $80 or $90.

CD Projekt Red, though, is an outlier. They’re dropping Cyberpunk 2077 with all DLC on a 64GB cart for $70—mirroring their $60 Switch Version of The Witcher 3 on a 32GB cart. They’re eating the costs to keep their image as one of the most consumer-friendly developers, but 99% of devs won’t match their generosity. For them, Game Key Cards or higher prices are the practical paths.

An Alternative–Could Nintendo Have Gotten Away with It?

There are no cheap, reliable alternatives cartridges for handhelds (The PSP had its share of issues with their UMDs), so Nintendo had no choice—or did they? The alternative to raising game prices to accommodate the cartridge costs would’ve been to axe physical media altogether.

Nintendo could’ve rushed headfirst into the All-digital future, keeping the game’s maxed out at $69.99. I polled some friends in the community, and most believed this was the better option. Nintendo’s physical buyer base, especially outside the West, is massive. They have the highest physical-to-digital ratio amongst the console market.

Going all-digital risks alienating a chunk of their player base, much like Microsoft’s Xbox One launch misstep with its initial online-only vision. Nintendo faced a no-win scenario: raise prices and take the heat, or go digital and spark a revolt. We’ll see how their decision pays off for them.

Copycat Criminals–Will This Case Cause a Ripple Effect?

There are plenty of claims out there that Nintendo’s move sets a precedent, pushing the industry to $80 or $90 games across the board. Take-Two’s been itching to push out $100 titles for years—GTA VI will likely be the first—and critics say Nintendo’s giving them the push they needed. I disagree with this stance.

Take-Two was headed there regardless of Nintendo‘s pricing; greedy publishers don’t need an excuse. Xbox, PlayStation, and Valve use Blu-rays or digital delivery—no expensive cartridge costs to justify their hikes. This generation’s $70 shift is still pretty recent; another jump so soon feels unlikely for the majority of the industry.

On Nintendo Switch 2, most third-party games will likely stick to the $60-$70 range, using Game Key Cards for big titles. I could also see 32 and 64GB carts reserved for premium editions. It’s safe to say a few developers and publishers may opt for $80 or $90 physical releases, but they’ll be exceptions, not the rule.

Let the Jury Decide: Premeditated or Self-Defense?

Maybe I’m too optimistic—maybe this will set the industry on fire, and I’m a fanboy blind to Nintendo’s “evil” that they are strictly doing this to line their pockets. I can’t see it that way, though. So, I’ll let the jury decide if Nintendo is truly a villain. All we have to do is look at the two Nintendo Directs that happened over the last week.

Nintendo introduced multiple features: Virtual Game Card, which allows you to lend digital games to friends, and GameShar,e which allows 4 players to play a compatible multiplayer game with only one copy, through local wireless or online.

Both features are not offered on competing consoles, but would these be considered anti-consumer? Then there’s the case of GameCube titles being added to Nintendo Switch Online at no extra cost. Unexpectedly generous, wouldn’t you say?

Let’s not forget the NSO vouchers that discount digital pairs of games (which I expect to have a revival as a Nintendo Switch 2 specific version) and the now-defunct Gold Coins program which were introduced last-generation. Nintendo’s not perfect, but are they the mustache-twirling, evil corporation some try to paint them as? I’ll let the jury decide.

Closing Argument

Be upset about the Nintendo Switch 2 game prices—I’m there with you. It’s going to cause me to make business decisions when considering buying their games at launch. But the online vitriol attacking Nintendo feels misplaced. They’re navigating a tough spot: rising cartridge costs, a physical-heavy fanbase, and no cheap portable alternative to carts.

I can’t fault the fans, though. As a consumer, it’s about the “what” and not the “why.” I do think, in this case, understanding the “why” matters. With that, Your Honor, I rest my case.