As if you ever needed more proof that Nintendo is a heartless, money-grubbing scrub of a company, let’s dive into all the prices you’ll be expected to pay for the accessories, games, and controllers arriving alongside the already expensive Nintendo Switch 2, priced at $450 – with still no word on local pricing from Nintendo SA.
That’s not a typo?
Up first are the games. Nintendo showed off a swathe of games, both new and old, that would hit the Switch 2 – either on launch day or in the coming months. One of those is Donkey Kong Bananza, arriving as a Switch 2 exclusive on 17 July for $70, the same as Tears of the Kingdom‘s R1,370 price tag locally.
That already pushes the industry envelope, and Nintendo knows it. When the company first announced that it was moving forward with the $70 price tag back in 2023, it stirred up quite the controversy and prompted Nintendo of America’s President, Doug Bowser, to come out in support of the revised pricing:
“The price point reflects the type of experience that fans can expect when it comes to playing [Tears of the Kingdom],” the CEO told AP News. “This isn’t a price point that we’ll necessarily have on all our titles.”
He was technically right about that last bit. Only two years later, Nintendo confirmed that certain Switch 2 games could set gamers back by as much as $80 when spending digitally and $90 when purchasing physical games. Switch 2 launch title Mario Kart World is the first of Nintendo’s games to reach the upper echelon, while Forbes has spotted certain physical copies selling for €90 (∼R1,800).
It does get worse. Nintendo is making like PlayStation with what the company calls Switch 2 ‘Game-Key Cards’. When purchasing certain physical copies, you won’t be greeted by a typical game cartridge but instead with a Game-Key Card, which doesn’t hold all the game’s data. Inserting the cartridge will simply download the game to your console. These games will, however, still require the cartridge to be inserted before you can play.
What about the Switch 2 controllers and accessories?
As for the avalanche of peripherals announced alongside the Nintendo Switch 2, you might find more luck locally. Many of these, including the camera, carry-case, and Pro controller, are not strictly necessary to play the Switch 2, which will arrive with its own set of Joy-Con controllers. But they will elevate the experience.
But just say you want to take your set-up to the next level with the new wireless GameCube controller, you’ll need to pony up. Just like the Switch 2, these peripherals have yet to receive local pricing and availability details, so we’re sticking with the US Dollar price directly converted for the time being:
- Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller – $80 (R1,500)
- Joy-Con 2 Controllers – $90 (R1,700)
- Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip – $35 (R660)
- Joy-Con 2 Strap – $13 (R250)
- Joy-Con 2 Wheel (set of two) – $20 (R380)
- Camera – $50 (R940)
- Dock Set – $110 (R2,000)
- Carrying Case & Screen Protector – $35 (R660)
- All-In-One Carrying Case – $80 (R1,500)
- AC Adapter – $30 (R560)
- Nintendo-branded microSD Express Card (256GB) – $55 (R1,000)
If the original Switch Pro Controller is anything to go by, the Switch 2 Pro Controller will be a must-buy for anyone looking to ditch the included Joy-Con 2 controllers. It features two additional buttons on the back, an audio jack, and a new “C” button that’ll quick-launch Nintendo’s far-too-late Game Chat feature.
We’re unable to find pricing for the wireless GameCube controller on Nintendo’s website, but according to VGC, it will sell for $65 (R1,200), lining up with Nintendo’s previously sold Switch Online + Expansion controllers.