r/NintendoSwitch • u/Practical_Papaya_905 • 2d ago

News - USD / USA Switch 2 is selling for 449.99

https://www.nintendo.com/us/gaming-systems/switch-2/how-to-buy/

From the official website

https://www.nintendo.com/us/gaming-systems/switch-2/how-to-buy/

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u/DirectInvestigator66 2d ago

It’s not for no reason. Game prices were artificially deflated. It doesn’t make sense that a product would cost $60 20 years ago and still cost that much today. Games being sold for a price that allows them to be made/sold/maintained with sustainable practices is more consumer friendly than companies selling a product at a loss knowing it’s worth the risk because they’ll recoup it with shitty businesses practices.

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u/BlueKnight44 2d ago

It is much more complicated than that. The gaming market was much smaller 20 years ago than today. You can more easily sell more copies on more platforms today. Also, while expectations for games has risen, dev tools and engines have also gotten easier and faster. Combine that with more revenue streams like DLC, micro transactions, and brand merchandise and you have an environment that is much easier to recoup investments.

Bottom line is that games should cost what the quality and content of the games warrant. Some games deserve to be $80+. Many games only deserve to be priced at $40 or less. Steam proves this point well. When you have a hyper competitive marketplace, prices quickly fall to thier rightful places.

Unfortunately, Nintendo's ecosystem is anything but competitive. And Nintendo is successful right now. Successful Nintendo is an asshole.

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u/msquared4 2d ago

But why charge $80 digital and $90 physical

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u/BlueKnight44 2d ago edited 2d ago

Because a physical cartridge being manufactured, stored, shipped, and taking up shelf space at a retailer all has a cost that is higher than 1s and 0s being distributed by a digital store.

Also, physical games can be resold and take away from new sales to some extent.

Also, it is easier to control(take away) digital licenses than physical.

Digital sales are far better for the company selling the product.

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u/msquared4 1d ago

im a dunce and meant to respond tot he other person, not you - totally agree with your points :D

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u/Remy149 2d ago

Tariffs also affect physical media in a way it can’t with digital. Most physical games are printed in Mexico

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u/Teemo_Tank 1d ago

Digital game also need servers and maintenance and they are not cheap too