Switch 2 – The “2” Stands for “Too” Expensive

Posted on April 4, 2025 by Aywren

Switch 2 Release Date – June 5^th 2025

When the original announcement came for the Switch 2, I was somewhat ambivalent, saying that I wasn’t sure what about it would make me switch from my original Switch. Now that we know more about the Switch 2, I’m even less inclined to make the purchase, mostly because of the pricing.

Having been a life-long Nintendo gamer, and owning every system to date, the cost of $450 for the system alone (before taxes) was a true blow. I know it’s even more costly to folks in other countries, too! Yes, I understand things are getting more and more expensive, but when the Steam Deck (which is something I’ve pondered purchasing) is priced more competitively than a Nintendo console, that is a telling thing.

Looking down the list of features they have highlighted for Switch 2, aside from the expected upgrades, very few are something I’d use or need. All of these features, I’m sure, are things that have added to the cost of the system. While gamers have been calling for Nintendo to drop the price, I doubt that’s going to happen – they’ve made it clear that the system will be in short supply (as usual), and they know there are folks who are going to buy regardless of the price they ask.

Quick Feature Overview

So, what features are we looking at, and which ones do I care about?

• Improved Visuals/Screen/Sound – This was a given, and probably the main feature here that I care about. The fact that it can play a wider range of higher end games is very nice. However, I don’t need the 4K upscaling as I don’t have a 4K TV.
• Improved Dock & Joy Cons – An expected thing that needed to be.
• Increased Storage – Another expected feature seeing the size of games now days. I’m not happy with what they’ve chosen to do should you want to use an SD card for more storage, which is still probably a must. I’ve mostly been trying to buy physical lately, anyhow.
• Game Sharing – This is a nice feature, but one I doubt I’ll ever make use of. Especially since my close friends and family likely will not be picking up a Switch 2 anytime in the near future, mostly due to the fact they didn’t play the Switch a whole lot, and the cost of Switch 2 will certainly turn them away.
• Nintendo Switch 2 Version of Games – Free upgraded games? Sure, that’s nice. But I’m not going to pay more to upgrade visuals for a game I already bought.
• Voice Chat – Won’t use.
• Additional Video Camera – LOL. Nope.
• Switch App Connectivity for Some Games – Not a selling point for me.
• Game Cube Games – I don’t subscribe to the Expansion Pass version of Nintendo Online. I’m considering dropping the sub completely because everything that comes out for Online feels like it’s for the Expansion Pass now days, and I don’t do enough online gaming with the system as it is.

So, my overall feeling?

It’s basically an upgraded Switch that has a number of features that don’t appeal to me. I like that it’s more powerful, that it has more storage, and that it has improved joycons and dock (there better not be joycon drift this time at this price point!). But beyond that, none of the launch games were a must-have for me. I enjoy Mario Kart, but as I stated, my friends and family will likely not be on board for this system anytime soon.

If you want a handheld, then there’s the Steam Deck over here for rocking out for $50 less that can play your library of Steam games.

Anyhow. I’m likely not adopting on day-one this time. I’ll wait and see if there are any games that make me change my mind on down the line – I’ll never say never. But for now, I’m waiting on a price drop.

I’ve got PLENTY of current Switch games to hold me over as my backlog stretches for years already. And that is not hyperbole!

Comments