Nintendo Switch 2 Is Amazing—But Is It Too Expensive?

Nintendo Switch 2 Price, Games, Accessories, and the Growing Cost of Being a Nintendo Fan

The excitement surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2 is undeniable. From the electrifying Legend of Zelda reveal to a sleek new console design and next-gen features like 4K gaming and 120Hz refresh rates, Nintendo fans have every reason to be hyped. But as the smoke cleared after the big showcase, a very different kind of buzz started swirling—price shock.

Yes, the Switch 2 looks amazing. But is it too expensive?

From a $450 base console to $80 games, paid upgrades, and even charging for voice chat—it’s clear that Nintendo is stepping into premium territory. Let’s break it all down and ask the one question on everyone’s mind: Are we paying too much?

Welcome Tour Isn’t Welcome—It’s a Paid Tutorial

Let’s start with something that caught everyone off guard: “Welcome Tour”, Nintendo’s introduction to the Switch 2 and its features, is not free. Unlike the free pack-in games of past eras (Wii Sports, anyone?), this is essentially a paid instructional demo—something you’d expect to be bundled with the console.

There’s no confirmation on the exact price, but even if it’s $10, that’s a strange move. It’s a far cry from free onboarding, and for many fans, it feels like being charged for the manual. A bad first impression.

Mario Kart World at $80: Premium Price, Premium Justification?

Mario Kart World: Price, Data Release and Info

The elephant in the room is Mario Kart World—a game that costs $80. That’s $10 above the now “normal” $70 AAA game price. So why the jump?

The only acceptable explanation, fans argue, is long-term free support:

Free DLC?
Regular content drops?
Constant updates and improvements?

If all of that comes baked in, the $80 could make sense. But if Nintendo launches the game at $80 and then adds paid DLC later, the backlash could be intense.

In short: $80 is only okay if it comes with everything. If not, Nintendo risks opening the floodgates for everyone else to follow suit.

Enhanced Editions: What’s Free and What’s Not

Nintendo’s Switch 2 Enhanced Editions policy is a bit of a mixed bag:

Some games (like Super Mario Odyssey and 3D World) will receive free upgrades for improved visuals and performance.
Others, like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, are part of Nintendo Switch Online but seem to offer paid enhancements if bought separately.

So what’s the difference? It seems that free updates = basic visual improvements, while paid upgrades = new content + performance enhancements.

This feels fair in theory. After all, if a game gets brand-new levels or expanded mechanics, paying a little extra might make sense. But if publishers start charging just to unlock higher frame rates, that’s where fans draw the line.

Voice Chat—Behind a Paywall?

Another eyebrow-raiser: the new “C Button” on the controller, designed to launch Nintendo’s voice chat app, will literally not work unless you pay for Nintendo Switch Online.

Even more odd—voice chat is temporarily free, but starting in March 2026, it becomes a paid feature.

A button on your controller that only works if you pay a subscription? That’s unheard of. And it’s got fans asking: if voice chat is a core function of online gaming, shouldn’t it just be included?

Accessories: A Familiar Expense Grows Bigger

Accessories have always been pricey, but the Switch 2 takes it up a notch:

Pro Controller: $80
Extra Joy-Cons: Premium-priced
Charging grip, camera, cases: Add-ons galore

Want the full Switch 2 experience on launch day with Mario Kart World and the new camera? You’re looking at $550+ before tax, and that’s without any other games or essentials like a protective case.

Let’s be real: this is nearly double the cost of the original Switch at launch.

Is the $450 Console Worth It?

That $450 base price includes:

2 Joy-Cons
Joy-Con grip
Dock
Ultra-fast HDMI cable
AC adapter

It’s a solid package. And given the internals—which reportedly run Cyberpunk, Final Fantasy VII Remake, and even Elden Ring—there’s clear value here.

In fact, when compared to Steam Deck, which runs at a similar price without Nintendo’s game library or hybrid capabilities, the Switch 2 holds up well.

Verdict: Pricey, but reasonable for the hardware—especially if you don’t go overboard with accessories.

Is Nintendo Trying to Monetize Every Gimmick?

One trend fans are noticing is Nintendo’s increasing willingness to monetize its signature quirks:

Want to use the cool new game camera? $50.
Want to try game-sharing with friends? That might require subscriptions.
Want the full chat experience? Pay to unlock the button.

These “gimmicks” used to be part of the fun of owning a Nintendo console. But now, they’re looking more and more like microtransactions in disguise.

What About Game Prices in General?

The uncomfortable truth is: game prices are going up.

Donkey Kong is priced at $70
Mario Kart World is at $80
Rumors of physical copies hitting $90 in Europe are circulating (though unconfirmed in the US)

If Nintendo normalizes this, $70-$80 games may become the new baseline—and not just for Switch.

USB Webcam Support: A Rare Win for Consumers

Credit where it’s due: Nintendo is allowing USB webcams to work with the Switch 2. You don’t have to buy the proprietary Nintendo camera—you can just plug in your Logitech webcam and go.

This is a surprising and welcome choice. It suggests that not everything in the Switch 2 ecosystem is being locked behind Nintendo’s storefront.

Final Thoughts: Is the Switch 2 Too Expensive?

Here’s the summary:

$450 is a fair price for the hardware—especially with what it can do.
$80 Mario Kart needs a very good reason to justify its cost.
Paid upgrades make sense if they include meaningful content—but not for frame rate boosts alone.
Voice chat behind a paywall is a baffling move.
Accessories and bundles will push total spending close to $700+ for many buyers.

So yes—the Nintendo Switch 2 is expensive. But is it too expensive?

That depends on what comes next. If Nintendo proves the value—through free updates, online improvements, DLC bundles, and strong first-party support—then the cost might feel justified.

But if this becomes a trend of charging more for the same, the community could push back hard.

What Do You Think?

Are you okay with the Switch 2’s pricing? Do you think $80 games are ever justifiable? Would you pay to use the voice chat button? Or are you waiting for a price drop?

Let us know in the comments—this conversation is just getting started.