Numerous industry analysts have predicted that Nintendo Switch 2 will cost $400 or more, but may enjoy the biggest ever console launch regardless of price.
A new report by Bloomberg cites a number of analysts, all of whom believe that a Switch 2 will cost at least $400 at launch, if not more due to such issues as US tariffs.
According to the report, market observers Yijia Zhai of UBS, Robin Zhu of Sanford C Bernstein and Dr Serkan Toto of Kantan Games all believe Switch 2 will cost at least $100 more than the original Switch‘s $299 launch price.
Toyo Securities analyst believes it will be even more than that due to the components included. “The original Switch’s Nvidia chip is estimated to cost $80 per unit,” he explained, “while the Switch 2’s chip is likely to be in the $130-$150 range. I wouldn’t be surprised if Nintendo goes ahead with $499.”
Regardless of the eventual launch price, analysts are generally agreed that Switch 2 will sell in abundance, with some predicting the biggest launch in the history of video games.
Zhu said he believes Nintendo will release Switch 2 in June, with a first day inventory of between 6 million and 8 million units. In comparison, the first Switch sold 2.7 million in its first month while PS4 and PS5 each sold around 4.5 million in their first quarters.
Toto also pointed out that Switch 2’s initial success will be carried by what will likely be a strong first year of software releases from both first-party and third-party studios.
“They will sell boatloads of Switch 2 in the first months in particular, almost regardless of the price,” he told Bloomberg. “We can expect a great software line-up in year one, from new Mario Kart and 3D Mario after eight years to Pokémon Legends: Z-A and Metroid Prime 4. There will also be third-party support from day one, most probably including blockbusters like Call of Duty.”
Toto then posted on X that while the launch price of the Switch 2 console is important, the price of the games will also be a big factor in Switch 2’s future.
“The hardware price is of course a big topic, but many people (including investors) do not consider the possible Switch 2 software prices,” Toto said. “I absolutely expect Nintendo’s own games and major third-party games to cost US$70. [The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom] was US$70 in 2023 already, and it worked for them.”
Nintendo is hosting a special Nintendo Direct on April 2, when the Switch 2 release date and price point are expected to be announced alongside initial game reveals.
