Nintendo
The Switch 2 games feature that collectors won’t like: Nintendo does it for the first time
Nintendo is breaking with tradition and introducing a price difference between physical and digital games on Nintendo Switch 2, with increases that will affect gamers.
Following the conclusion of the Nintendo Direct dedicated to the Nintendo Switch 2, additional details have emerged that were not mentioned during the presentation. One of the most notable, and one that has generated a lot of discussion among fans and the online community, is the adjustment of the price. However, it is not the price of the console that has caused a stir, but the cost of the titles in their various formats.
Nintendo is raising the price of its games but makes a difference between physical and digital
For years, gamers have wondered why games in physical and digital formats are priced the same, despite digital distribution does not involve production and logistics costs. Although equal pricing is a standard market strategy, this time Nintendo has decided to make a distinction between the two formats, something unprecedented in its history.
For example, Mario Kart World will be $90 physical and $80 digital, while Donkey Kong Bananza will be $80 physical and $70 digital. This $10 difference between versions could set a precedent in the industry.
On the one hand, this strategy seems to encourage the transition to digital, albeit with a general increase in prices. This decision, although it appears to be a change in the industry, actually makes the price of one of the formats more expensive. On the other hand, in countries where the exchange rate against the dollar is unfavorable, this measure could represent a blow to the sale of physical games, favoring the digital format even more.
Nintendo Switch 2 launch and pricing
The Nintendo Switch 2 will be available on June 5, 2025, and will be sold in two versions:
- Standard version (without additional games and accessories) for $449.99.
- Bundle with Mario Kart World in digital format for $499.99.
With these changes in pricing and distribution strategies, it remains to be seen how gamers will react and whether this difference between formats will set a new trend in the industry.
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