By Todd Russell
Back in January we discussed not seeing as much creativity and innovation with Nintendo Switch 2 over past consoles: Nintendo Switch 2 Does Not Have Any Magic … Yet and we were hopeful when it was announced we’d see some kind of Nintendo creativity curveball.
On April 2, Nintendo announced the launch pricing, specs and games, and it the Switch 2 appears to be little more than an upgraded tech version of the original Switch. Customers will soon have the ability to pay to upgrade some of their Switch games to Switch 2, pay more for several first party games. $80 USD is the new price point?
Oh my.
Photo credit above: IGN lists Walmart pricing for several new Switch 2 games via Mario Kart World Isn’t the Only Nintendo Switch 2 Game That Costs $80, Some Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Games Do as Well – IGN
On the Humpday Wednesday live stream 4/2/2025, I fast forwarded through the direct, reacting to what I was seeing. I’m seeing this as a summer portable video gaming bill. Almost like property tax season twice a year. Our grandchildren will likely want one of these new Switch 2s, so we’re probably buying one, but I have no desire myself to buy one of these. We have bought four Nintendo Switch consoles, btw and 20 or so games.
Will this be the WiiU all over again for Nintendo?
This might not be that level of abysmal sales for Nintendo, but this author’s personal prediction remains that this Switch 2 will not sell even half as many units as the Switch. Yes, they will sell millions of them, but not 100+ million. Not even 75 million. They may struggle to sell 50 million, especially if tariffs are in the mix somehow. Wikipedia has a list of Million-selling game consoles for reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_game_consoles
Here’s my sales forecast: Switch 2 will struggle to sell as much as the Xbox One — about 58 million. Mark your calendars, we’ll check back and see if I’m wrong.
Of course, I hope Nintendo does better than this, because despite what appears to this author as blatant greed, I like a lot of their games. They make some great games. It’s very hard to see what’s compelling and new here for existing Switch customers. Yes, it’s upgraded tech. Better graphic power, better screen, a little bigger, a little badder (bad in a good way) and adding features like a chat button that are neither innovative or exciting.
It’s the Xbox One to me all over again. Remember how cool the Xbox 360 was, except for the Red Rings Of Death (RROD) problems? Then Microsoft trots out the Xbox One and it’s like … what?
I think console gaming has reached all it can do when Nintendo, one of the most creative game companies in the world, can’t come up with something more than catch-up tech for their “new” console.
In the PGM Discord I asked who was buying a Switch 2 at launch? A lot of crickets. Again, our gaming family will likely buy a Switch 2 this summer. Not because I want one, but because the grandchildren will want one. That’s not a ringing endorsement. I have much, much more interest in my Steam Deck. Yes, I’m still playing and enjoying that. Even more than the Switch. A lot more.
What about you? Are you buying a Switch 2 at/near launch? Waiting for the exclusive games to come? What do you think of these prices?