Nintendo Switch 2 will launch at $449.99 in the U.S., fans joke: "I better be able to play Mario Kart in real life"

Nintendo has announced that the new Nintendo Switch 2 will cost $449.99 in the United States. They have, however, altered other accessory prices. This comes after heated discussions regarding tariffs and their possible effect on pricing, and also the company's suspension of pre-orders.

There was anticipation that the price would be increased, and now it is confirmed.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is still 50% higher than the base Switch, which debuted at $299 in 2017.

There's also a bundle with the Switch 2 and Mario Kart World for $499.99, which comes with a digital download of the game.

But the joke’s on Nintendo. We’re not all rich, and $449.99 is still expensive. The economy’s struggling, inflation’s tough, and yet, Nintendo acts like $449.99 is something we’ll be celebrating in the streets.

Social media is laughing — perhaps at themselves and at Nintendo's audacity.

Fans can't help but roast the company, believing they actually thought they could generate buzz with the higher price and then cut the same price, hoping people would rejoice when it would be lower than what could have otherwise been.

Classic move, but social media is not here for it.

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Nintendo announces $449.99 price tag for Switch 2 in the U.S., fans weigh in

Fans are jokingly labeling Nintendo as greedy, as the cost is significantly more than the initial Switch. Others claim that for this amount of money, the console had better allow them to play Mario Kart in real life.

A user @suayrez jokingly said:

"For $449 I better be able to play Mario Kart in real life."

Another user @MoodyBardi stated:

"Still double what the first one was so they still greedy."

A user @cruelcvnt said:

"It’s still too expensive."

Users are posting humorous memes claiming those were the days when console games were priced around $60. Some others noted that this was Nintendo's opportunity to actually reduce the price, not increase it.

A user mentioned:

"oh period. still too expensive tho."

A user went on to drop a nostalgic pic, saying:

"Those Nintendo Switch 2 games prices"

Another user @luanaxbelle mentioned:

"This was their chance to lower it to a reasonable price 🤣🤣🤣"

Some users are attempting to talk themselves into thinking that their existing Switch is still adequate and they don't require a new one.

Others are saying that although Nintendo claimed they wouldn't increase the price due to tariffs, they're still charging a lot of money.

A user @Rockstar82vansh humorously noted:

"So basically: “we’re not raising the console price, but we’re coming for your wallet through the side door.”"

Another user @gojokive mentioned:

"nintendo acting like everything they sell isnt overpriced 😭"

One user, @starlinglilah, tried to control their urge, saying:

"my switch is ok it’s perfectly fine my switch is ok it’s perfectly fine."

The Switch 2 is vying against some stiff competition, such as GTA 6, the most anticipated game in 2025, and forthcoming updates to Xbox and PlayStation consoles.

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