Nintendo Responds to Switch 2 and Mario Kart World Pricing Concerns; Denies Impact of US Tariffs on $449.99 Price

Nintendo has finally tackled the buzz surrounding the pricing of the Switch 2 and Mario Kart World, which had fans buzzing with a mix of excitement and skepticism.

In case you missed it, the Switch 2 rolled out with a price tag of $449.99 in the US, £395.99 in the UK, and €469.99 in Europe for just the console. If you’re eyeing the bundle that includes Mario Kart World, you’re looking at $499.99, £429.99, or €509.99. For those just wanting Mario Kart World, it’s available for $79.99 or £74.99. Quite a chunk of change, right?

So, what has Nintendo had to say about these prices after holding back on immediate feedback? Doug Bowser, the President of Nintendo of America, shared some insights with The Verge. He clarified that the recent US tariffs hadn’t been included in the $449.99 pricing decision, which was why there was a delay in US pre-orders.

“When we announced on April 2nd, tariffs were not part of our pricing,” he pointed out, mentioning that Nintendo is still weighing how these could impact future pricing. This is consistent with Nintendo’s approach when they mentioned the pre-order hiccup last week.

On the topic of why these devices and games are priced as they are, Bowser had some interesting points to share. Regarding the Switch 2, he explained that its pricing takes into account its array of new features, with consideration given to how it compares to the original Switch. The decision was all about delivering a unique gaming experience.

For Mario Kart World, Bowser compared its $79.99 price to the $70 Donkey Kong Bananza, stating it as an instance of “variable pricing.” Each game’s pricing considers factors like its development process, gameplay complexity, longevity, and replayability. He explained, “We evaluate each game thoroughly.”

So, does all this info make you less eager to shout for a price drop? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!