Nintendo finally addresses the Switch 2 and Mario Kart World price controversies, and says those pesky new US tariffs weren’t behind the $449.99 price point

Nintendo has finally addressed the discussions surrounding the pricing of the Switch 2 and Mario Kart World. These are the topics that have been causing some frustration among fans.

In case you need a quick reminder, the Switch 2 was revealed with a price tag of $449.99/£395.99/€469.99 for the console only, while a bundle including MKW is priced at $499.99/£429.99/€509.99. If you opt for MKW alone, it will cost $79.99 / £74.99. Quite steep, right?

So, what has Nintendo said about these pricing decisions after initially remaining silent? Well, Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser informed The Verge that the recent US tariffs, which caused the delay in US Switch 2 pre-orders, were not factored into the $449.99 price.

“Put [the April 2nd announcement] aside. Any previous tariffs were not factored into the price itself,” the exec stated, mentioning that Nintendo is currently evaluating the potential impact of these tariffs. This aligns with what Nintendo had mentioned during the pre-order delay announcement last week.

Regarding the reasons behind the pricing, Bowser explained similar points in discussions about both the Switch 2 and Mario Kart World. In the case of the Switch 2, Bowser highlighted the new features and the overall gaming experience compared to the Switch 1. As for MKW being priced at $79.99, Bowser described it as an example of “variable pricing” based on factors like gameplay depth and longevity.

Do these explanations make you reconsider demanding a price drop from Nintendo? Share your thoughts below!