What a yr for Nintendo to lastly release the Switch 2. While the {hardware} itself appears to be what anybody might have hoped for in a Switch successor — a more highly effective model of the console tens of millions of house owners already love — the financial uncertainty gripping the world has made the Switch 2 a a lot more sophisticated prospect.
And that’s earlier than we even take into account the commerce struggle the United States is at the moment engaged with China in. The $450 USD console price level and $80 USD sticker on Mario Kart World has made the Switch 2 one thing of a flashpoint amid the rising price of video games and gaming {hardware}, each right here in the US and overseas.
To get a higher thought of how the world is reacting to the Switch 2, I spoke with editors from IGN manufacturers throughout the world to get a sense of the Switch 2’s impending release.
How the Rest of the World Feels About the Switch 2
After consulting with editors from IGN websites overseas, together with these primarily based in Europe, South America, and Asia, the reception to the Switch 2 has been, effectively, blended. The hardware improvements like 120hz refresh price, HDR, and 4K output are praised, however lacking options like not having an OLED display are seen as severe drawbacks.
“As far as reception goes, IGN Italia’s readers are predominantly dissatisfied with the Nintendo Switch 2,” says IGN Italy editor-in-chief, Alessandro Digioia. “Among hundreds of comments across news articles and social media, the main concerns revolve around the price point, the lack of an OLED screen, the absence of a trophy/achievement system, and a modest launch line-up. While some third-party announcements were welcomed, many readers expected more from Nintendo’s first-party titles.”
IGN Portugal’s Pedro Pestana shared related sentiments from their readers – sentiments they agreed with: “Personally, I'm not that impressed with Switch 2, as it is basically a souped up Switch 1 – better in every sense, but without the novelty factor of the original. That being said, I reckon it's gonna come down to the games, and Mario Kart World looked damn nice.”
Other areas are seemingly more receptive to the Switch 2’s {hardware} enhancements. IGN Benelux’s Nick Nijiland says the website has been getting largely constructive suggestions, regardless of the price of the console. “We have seen in our region that the console has been received very well. People complain about the price, but at the same time the console sold out within hours. We put up a post on our website stating that we would let our readers know through our Discord server when pre-orders went live and our Discord got so many new members that day, it was insane.”
IGN Turkey’s Ersin Kilic additionally shared constructive views from the area’s readers. “When I look at the comments, it is seen as positive that Nintendo corrected the points criticized on [the first] Switch. Although the console is stylish and uses LCD, the fact that the screen is much better was received positively.” However, Kilic says “the most criticized point was that Hall Effect was not used in Joy-Con 2,” which some players hoped might reduce the risk of Joy-Con drift.
IGN China’s Kamui Ye gave each side of reader reactions to the Switch 2. “The reveal event has been met with widespread disappointment due to its lackluster launch title lineup and perplexing regional pricing strategies,” they defined. Furthermore, Ye says the launch lineup that didn’t embrace a new Mario, Legend of Zelda, or Animal Crossing was one other detrimental.
“However, optimism persists among core fans regarding Nintendo's long-term plans,” Ye provides. Along with the perception of a higher software program lineup down the line, any of the horsepower and battery issues for the Switch 2 “appear secondary to loyalists prioritizing backward compatibility, hardware refinements like magnetic Joy-Cons, and Nintendo's legacy of iterative software support.”
“Ultimately, the brand's entrenched fanbase seems willing to tolerate short-term missteps, betting on Nintendo's historical ability to refine its platforms through compelling games over time,” Ye says.
Hardware Price and Tariff Fears
The Switch 2 is predicted to launch at a $450 USD price level in the United States when it’s made obtainable to pre-order some time in the future. The cause pre-orders have yet to happen in the United States and Canada, regardless of the relaxation of the world already registering their purchases with retailers, is of course on account of an ongoing tariff scenario from President Trump. It’s a state of affairs that’s seemingly making Nintendo rethink how to roll out the console correctly in time for its June 5 release date.
Naturally, IGN editors from Europe aren’t notably impacted by the tariffs of their areas, the place pre-orders are already up and working.
“In Germany, nobody is really worrying about the tariff situation regarding the Switch 2,” says IGN Germany’s Antonia Dressler. However, the precise retail price of the Switch 2 is a separate matter.
“There are a lot of complaints about the pricing of the console… and [readers are making] direct comparisons with the pricing of the PS5 [which] is seen as the better console,” explains Dressler. Despite the complaints, although, pre-orders do appear to be coming in for the area.
The pricing of the Switch 2 firmly locations it in direct competitors with consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X in lots of areas, making the selection of which console to get even more durable for international patrons. “At the moment, Nintendo's official website is taking pre-orders and the price is R12,499,” says IGN Africa’s Zaid Kriel. “It is not crazy pricing, but it's now in the same bracket as the PS5 and Xbox Series X. It's no longer a cheaper alternative, and that could be a problem, especially with the increase in game prices Nintendo has introduced.”
“The pricing problem pretty much overshadowed everything going on around the Switch 2 reveal, good or bad,” IGN France editor-in-chief, Erwan Lafleuriel, says. “The debate is raging mainly about prices, but I believe because it was kind of easy to overshadow a reveal lacking in many other aspects. Part of that is… we already knew most of what was revealed from the leaks. And there is no impressive 'one more thing' to add. Even in terms of games, it's good, but it feels like something is missing.”
Other areas outdoors of the United States, nonetheless, are contending with the fallout of the tariffs. IGN Brazil’s Matheus de Lucca says, “The current tariff war initiated by the United States makes the scenario even worse for Brazil, since the Real is a weak currency compared to the dollar and an increase in the price of the Switch 2 in the United States will most likely have a huge impact on the whole of Latin America. The scenario of uncertainty and a possible increase in the price of the console could make the Switch 2 accessible to only a very small group of players in the Brazilian market.”
There can be the distinctive scenario in Japan the place Nintendo is launching a region-locked model of the {hardware} at a decrease pricepoint to guard its home market “I think Nintendo knew they couldn’t go over 50,000 yen in Japan – the weak yen means the relative pricing scale is very different here,” says IGN Japan’s govt producer, Daniel Robson. “But presumably they also realised that if the console was much cheaper here than anywhere else, people would try to import it or buy all the stock when they visit Japan. Hence the region lock – our cheaper Switch only plays Japanese games and supports only Japanese accounts. I’m sure this is a direct result of the global trade situation.”
Robson additionally says that, “The price is still high, and will be tough for many families here, but it's far more competitively priced than the 77,000 yen PS5. Not to mention that Japan is firmly a Nintendo country – the house of Mario dominates the console Top 10 week in, week out, so I doubt families here will be able to go without a Switch 2. That said, as a parent, I’m secretly relieved that my daughter hasn’t asked for a Switch 2, as the price puts it comfortably over the bounds of a birthday present.”
Software Price Remains the Biggest Pain Point
Despite the points of {hardware} prices and tariffs, the greatest bugbear affecting the common feeling relating to the Switch 2 announcement has been the price of software program. Some of that ache is to be anticipated: Nintendo video games have at all times been costly and held their price, and it’s solely pure that Nintendo would be a part of the trend of rising game costs. But it appears the firm might have jumped the gun by pricing Mario Kart World at $80 USD. While Nintendo says pricing will probably be decided on a game-by-game foundation, with different Switch 2 launch window video games priced at $70 USD or as low as $10 USD, the transfer has prompted fears that the gates are actually absolutely open for even more costly software program.
“Game pricing is by far the biggest issue raised, not only by our readers but by the Italian gaming community at large,” says IGN Italy’s Digioia. “Many feel that Nintendo's new pricing structure is unjustifiable, especially in light of recent increases that came with the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S era (when AAA titles moved from €70 to €80). Now, Nintendo is pricing some first-party games at €90, which has caused considerable concern – particularly given the company's historically conservative approach to discounts. The €9.99 price for Switch 2 Welcome Tour sparked additional backlash, and even the paid upgrade paths for existing Switch games are widely seen as another way to extract money from loyal customers.”
“People are pissed,” IGN Germany’s Dressler says plainly. “Especially with the 90 Euro for Mario Kart World, that is a record for a video game in Germany; not even titles like Assassin’s Creed cost as much (talking about the base version). It also seems ridiculous that the tutorial game will cost anything — Nintendo just looks absurdly greedy right now.”
(*2*)
Take a look in any Switch 2 remark thread on IGN.com and also you’ll discover related sentiments; the high price of video games is unwelcome, particularly in a time of elevated dwelling prices. A more uncommon perspective might be present in mainland China, nonetheless, the place there are no present plans for an official release. As a outcome, Switch 2 consumers there might should look to the grey market, with stock coming from Japan and Hong Kong – locations the place costs for video games look to be a bit cheaper.
“Regarding pricing, game prices in Hong Kong and Japanese editions are relatively lower compared to Western markets. Observations from social media comments under our content show most players find the official price acceptable,” IGN China’s Ye says. “While the console itself has seen some price hikes, users generally consider it more cost-effective than handheld PCs like Steam Deck, especially with backward compatibility support. Based on our data, Chinese mainland Nintendo Switch 1 players appear largely receptive to the official Nintendo Switch 2 price increase.”
Right now it appears smart to wager that the Switch 2 will probably be a success – it’s a protected, recognizable improve to at least one of the hottest and beloved consoles of all time. But what form of a success story Nintendo has on its arms stays to be seen. The risk of an period of $80 video games during a time of financial hardship has clearly put a substantial quantity of potential patrons into a detrimental headspace. Plus there are nonetheless many unknowns surrounding the console, particularly in the United States the place tariffs stand to negatively impression the North American launch. Then there’s the query of how worldwide politics might end in potential stock shortages and impression the system’s launch round the globe.
For all these unknowns, what is evident from chatting with IGN’s international workers is that Nintendo has whipped up pleasure round the world. It’s simply pleasure with a few more caveats than you’d count on from Nintendo.
Matt Kim is IGN's Senior Features Editor.