September 17, 2024, 8:06 am | Read time: 3 minutes
There is still no concrete release date for the next Nintendo console. But there is already a new rumor about the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 – and it could be quite high.
Since the launch of the current console generation with Sony’s PS5 and Microsoft’s Xbox Series X/S in 2020, the entire video game industry has been wondering: What’s next for Nintendo? To date, the creators of Super Mario have yet to deliver new hardware to their fans. In the meantime, however, all signs point to a Switch successor. And now there is also a new rumor about the price of the Nintendo Switch 2. Prospective buyers may want to start saving now.
Overview
This is how high the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 could be
Official details on the Nintendo Switch 2 are extremely scarce. Yet, the rumor mill is regularly churning out intriguing updates. Naturally, one should approach these rumors with caution, though they often prove accurate.
But will this apply to the sales price as well? From a financial standpoint, one can only hope the price doesn’t reach that point. Japanese analyst Hideki Yasuda from the investment website Kabutan is now predicting a price of around 499 US dollars for the Nintendo Switch 2.
He cites “reports” without providing further details. It is, therefore, unclear whether these could be rumors from others or even insider information. Yasuda’s own statements are vague, initially suggesting a “relatively affordable” price below 499 US dollars. However, he then uses 499 US dollars as a reference point to discuss the exchange rate with the Japanese yen, noting that the equivalent 75,000 yen would be deemed expensive in the Far East.
High price harbors high risk
If the rumor proves accurate, the Nintendo Switch 2 might retail for just under 500 euros in this region. This pricing would put it on par with the launch prices of the PS5 with a disc drive and the Xbox Series X. Earlier reports suggested that the upcoming device would likely not exceed 400 euros.
Should the Switch 2 feature a significant technological leap, the price might be justified. However, the likelihood of this happening remains in question. There are already numerous rumors about technical improvements. Yet, Yasuda suspects that the new console’s performance will not surpass that of the PS4 Pro.
The high price would, therefore, become an obstacle, especially as the current Switch was once launched on the market for just 330 euros and was, therefore, significantly cheaper than the competition. Nintendo’s decision-makers may be banking on the positive experiences of users to drive sales despite the high price.
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Current Switch is increasingly weakening
Regardless, it’s high time for the storied manufacturer to introduce something new. Yasuda notes that, as anticipated, Nintendo’s operating profit saw a significant decline in the first quarter of the current fiscal year.
One reason cited is the absence of a follow-up title to match the immense success of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Additionally, with the Switch in its eighth year, overall sales are on the decline. This, coupled with the yen’s trajectory during the same period, creates a challenging scenario, even affecting the stock markets.
Once the situation stabilizes, investor interest may well shift towards the Switch 2. Consequently, Nintendo faces financial pressure to expedite the new console’s release. Yasuda currently predicts a release in the first half of 2025.