The Nintendo Switch 2 is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about consoles in history, with its reveal leaked and heavily discussed months before it was officially unveiled, and fans endlessly speculating about what games will launch alongside it. However, while much of the buzz surrounding the Switch 2 is positive, or at least filled with glee and excitement, there's also a slight concern when it comes to the price tag. After all, with rising production costs and inflation bringing up the price of consoles significantly, many are worried that the Switch 2's price could skyrocket.

Fortunately, there's plenty of evidence to suggest the contrary, so fans can go back to thinking about the Switch 2's first-party lineup. Of course, that doesn't mean it'll come cheap, especially when compared to past Nintendo hardware. The Switch 2's projected price tag is both higher and lower than a lot of Nintendo's other home consoles, putting it in quite a unique position. While it remains to be seen how many people will buy the Switch at its potential price, it's worth knowing just how much more or less expensive it is compared to the Wii, Game Cube, and more.

Latest Prediction Places Switch 2 At $400

It's Not Unrealistic

The latest Nintendo Switch 2 price speculation comes from a former Nintendo employee simply known as Sean. As reported by Switch 2 price leaks.

According to IGN, who spoke with a number of analysts, the prevailing projected price tag given to the Switch 2 is around the $400 mark. Additionally, an Italian retailer called Games and Movies put up a Switch 2 listing with the price of €389.99 ($410) - although this is likely a placeholder amount that will be replaced once Nintendo officially announces the price. Similarly, a Costco Canada employee revealed via Famiboards that the Switch 2 had a placeholder price of $499.99 CAD ($350 USD) in Costco Canada's internal systems.

Of course, there has been no official price reveal from Nintendo, but Nintendo's president, Shuntaro Furukawa, has given some insight that legitimizes a lot of these claims. During a Q&A, alongside reassuring fans that Nintendo will prevent console shortages when it comes to the Switch 2, Furukawa explained that Nintendo is taking into the "affordability that our customers expect from Nintendo products" when pricing its next console. Considering just how cheap Nintendo's consoles typically are, this bodes well for fans.

How $400 Compares To Other Nintendo Console Prices

It's A Lot More

Nintendo has released seven home consoles (non-handheld exclusive devices), so far, starting with the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and ending with the Nintendo Switch. During that time, the cost of Nintendo's consoles has changed dramatically, although so too have people's circumstances and the affordability of gaming in general. The context in which people are playing games now is vastly different from the early '80s when the NES was getting some of Nintendo's best games. That's important to understand when comparing the costs of Nintendo home consoles.

The information above, based on inflation between the console release dates and 2025 via the US Inflation Calculator, illustrates that Nintendo's consoles, when adjusted for inflation, had a price akin to what the Switch 2 is projected to get. The NES and SNES cost more than Nintendo's other home consoles, although, as aforementioned, this was likely due to the novelty of video game consoles at the time, as well as the fact that they weren't as widespread as they are today. The price shifted dramatically during the N64 and Game Cube eras, although it went back up slightly after.

If the Switch 2 does cost $400, or potentially even $450, then it will be roughly in line with most of Nintendo's other consoles. That is understandable, especially as the rising cost of producing new hardware likely matches the exponential cost of producing consoles during the early days. This is also the case with software, as evidenced by the rising cost of subscription services and games. However, it still puts it at a much lower cost when compared to Nintendo's direct competitors, PlayStation and Xbox.

Nintendo Switch 2 Should Avoid Competing With PS5 & Xbox Series X Prices

It Is A Very Different Console

It would be easy for Nintendo to price the Switch 2 as high as the PlayStation 5 ($500) or Xbox Series X ($500). Of course, if the leaks are to be believed, and the Switch 2 is priced at $400, it'll be substantially cheaper, making it a more accessible and appealing option. Naturally, the cost of next-gen consoles often comes down in sales or is decreased in bundles, making it a more inviting prospect. However, much like how the Switch was competitively priced to make it a better entry point for newcomers, the Switch 2 could be the cheaper option.

This should absolutely be the case, especially considering the Switch 2's rumored lower specs that put it at a significant competitive disadvantage when it comes to hardware. Leaks are claiming that the Switch 2 will be about as powerful as the PS4 Pro, a console that can just about run Cyberpunk 2077. While the Switch 2 may be able to play some older, yet still impressive third-person titles based on these leaked specs, it will unlikely be able to play more recent titles like Monster Hunter Wilds, at least to the same degree as the PS5 or Xbox Series X.

It is also worth taking into that the Switch 2 won't be as adjustable as its other competition within the handheld market. People can pick up a Steam Deck for $400 and play most games, including modern titles, by tweaking settings. The Switch 2 would have to get ports that would take significantly more time from the developer, which may not be worthwhile. This could result in it missing games that PC handheld players can access. Additionally, for now, it won't have Xbox Game , something that the Series X, Steam Deck, and other handheld PCs can get.

$400 for the Switch 2 is understandable within the context of modern-day hardware costs, but any more would be too expensive.

Ultimately, the Switch 2's price should reflect its lower capabilities and limited access to modern titles, especially as it will likely quickly become outdated as newer and more powerful handheld PCs come out. While the Switch 2 will likely be very successful, it's launching on the back foot, as its rumored hardware is already obsolete and will be made even more so in the near future. $400 for the Switch 2 is understandable within the context of modern-day hardware costs, but any more would be too expensive.

This article has been updated to better reflect the prices based on inflation.

Source: Eurogamer, YouTube/Kit & Krysta, IGN, Games and Movies, Famiboards, Video Games Chronicle, US Inflation Calculator