When the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 was revealed at $450 USD, it certainly raised eyebrows, especially considering Nintendo's history of more budget-friendly consoles. However, with rising production costs and economic uncertainties like tariffs, analysts had predicted the Switch 2 to be priced around $400 USD at the very least.

The real surprise, however, came with the pricing of Switch 2 games. Not only do they reach the new industry standard of $70 USD, but some titles, such as Mario Kart World, are priced at a staggering $80 USD. When you factor in the cost of various accessories needed for the full Switch 2 experience, the total investment becomes quite significant.

But how does the Switch 2's price compare to previous Nintendo consoles when adjusted for inflation? And how does it stack up against other consoles? The findings might surprise you.

Nintendo Switch 2 Price Vs Previous Nintendo Consoles

NES

The NES launched in 1985 at $179 USD, which seems like a steal today. Adjusted for inflation, it would cost $523 USD in 2025, making it the most expensive Nintendo console launch when inflation is considered.

SNES

In 1991, the SNES hit the market at $199 USD. Despite being $20 more than the NES at the time, its inflation-adjusted price for 2025 would be $460 USD.

Nintendo 64

The Nintendo 64, released in 1996, also launched at $199 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that's equivalent to $400 USD today.

Nintendo GameCube

The GameCube, which will see its games re-released on the Switch 2 via the Nintendo Switch Online's classic library, debuted in 2001 at $199 USD, or $359 USD in today's dollars.

Wii

The motion-controlled Wii became a global phenomenon when it launched in 2006 at $249 USD, which translates to about $394 USD in 2025.

Wii U

The Wii U, released in 2012, was less successful but still launched at $299 USD, equivalent to $415 USD in 2025, bringing it closer to the Switch 2's pricing.

Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch, one of Nintendo's most successful consoles, hit the market in 2017 at $299 USD, which is $387 USD when adjusted for inflation to today's dollars.

So, while the original NES holds the title for the most expensive launch when adjusted for inflation, the Switch 2's $450 USD price doesn't seem as steep in comparison.

While the Switch 2's console price was largely anticipated, the pricing of its games was a bigger shock. Games like Mario Kart World are priced at $80 USD, while Donkey Kong Bananza comes in at $70 USD (or $65 digitally).

It's challenging to directly compare these prices to those of the earliest NES cartridges due to the wide variance in pricing at the time. In the early '90s, NES games could cost anywhere from $34 to $45 USD, which would be $98 to $130 USD today. However, many believe that game prices could continue to rise.

The Switch 2's pricing sits at the higher end of Nintendo's historical range, surpassed only by the NES and SNES when adjusted for inflation. Real-world factors, such as the announcement of a cheaper, region-locked Switch 2 for Japan at 49,980 JPY ($340 USD), highlight the impact of economic variables on pricing.

How Switch 2's Price Compares to Other Consoles

When we compare the Switch 2 to other consoles, the picture becomes clearer.

PlayStation 2

The PlayStation 2, the best-selling console of all time, was released in 2000 at $299 USD. Adjusted for inflation, it would cost $565 USD in 2025.

Xbox 360

The Xbox 360, Microsoft's most successful console, launched in 2005 at $299 USD, which translates to about $500 USD in 2025.