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In a recent revelation that has sent shockwaves of excitement and apprehension both among enthusiasts and industry watchers, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa admitted that the new heir to the Nintendo Switch—informally referred to as “Switch 2″—will be priced at a “relatively high” level relative to its predecessor. But Furukawa was quick to emphasize that marketing campaigns and strategic bundles are meant to help the next-generation console “get off to the same start” as the original Switch, which debuted in 2017 as one of the biggest-selling consoles of all time.

A Higher Price for a New Generation

Although official pricing information has not yet been released, Furukawa’s comment indicates the Switch 2 will be a more expensive product, likely with substantial improvements in hardware, functionality, and user interface. This is a departure from Nintendo’s earlier approach to hardware, which instead prioritized affordability and creative design over raw computational capacity.

We understand price is a big issue for many of our customers,” Furukawa said during a quarterly earnings briefing. “The Switch 2 is comparatively expensive relative to the original, but this is a result of improvements in performance, functionality, and the value it delivers to gamers.”.

Industry commentators are forecasting the Switch 2 will have a better OLED screen, speedier internal hardware, and enhanced features like 4K output in docked mode and higher backward compatibility. If so, these features would be worth a premium price entry, theoretically at $399–$449, versus the $299 opening price point of the original Switch, more fairly.

Strategic Bundles to Counter Sticker Shock

To maintain the consumer transition smoother and to continue with solid early momentum, Nintendo intends to rely heavily on console and software bundles. For Furukawa, “bundling up popular software titles or accessories with the console at launch will allow us to recapture the good start we had with the original Nintendo Switch.”

Such bundles may consist of brand-new first-party releases, refreshed iterations of current fan favorites, or limited content to incentivize early uptake. A day-one bundle containing the long-awaited sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, or a fresh Mario Kart game, can create considerable hype and counterbalance the effect of an expensive price point.

This approach mirrors the successful launch strategy of the original Switch, wherein the massive head start it obtained through the simultaneous launch of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild cannot be ignored. The game proved to be a system seller and was instrumental in making the console an instant commercial hit.

Learning from the Past, Planning for the Future

Furukawa’s words reveal a company that does not simply embrace its heritage but is resolute in altering its strategies according to the modern market. The original Switch found a niche based on its hybrid shape factor and appealed to home console and portability players. Since then, the gaming scenario has changed immensely, with cloud game platforms now providing new competition, high-end consoles such as the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, and the steady expansion of mobile gaming.

By recognizing the high price of the new console upfront, Nintendo seems to be setting expectations and placing the conversation on value instead of price terms. Such honesty can potentially instill consumer trust and offset expected backlash that might ensue from a more expensive product.

Additionally, Nintendo’s financial situation provides it with massive wiggle room. The company has sold over 140 million units of the base Switch worldwide and is making decent profits off it, creating a massive, dedicated fan base. That success provides Nintendo with room to invest in better hardware and more ambitious titles and keep supporting the current Switch line well.

Backward Compatibility and Transition Strategy

While not officially stated, Furukawa also spoke of a “smooth transition” between the initial Switch and its next iteration. This has suggested to many that the Switch 2 will be backward compatible with current Switch titles—an increasingly important feature on contemporary consoles that serves to preserve software libraries and ensure ecosystem continuity.

If adopted, backward compatibility would not only render the premium price more acceptable but also allow early adopters to enjoy a treasure chest of accessible games from day one. Moreover, it could even permit Nintendo to continue selling older Switch models at lower prices, appealing to price-conscious consumers while gradually moving towards the newer hardware.

Market Challenges and Consumer Expectations

With Nintendo’s decent track record, launching a new console in 2025 is not without its pitfalls. The video game market is facing rising costs, supply chain issues, and more scrutiny in a post-pandemic world economy. PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S have already found their footing in the market, and fighting for wallets and attention will be tough.

In addition, consumer expectations have increased alongside technology. Most gamers today expect glitch-free online services, across-the-board third-party support, and regular software updates—all areas where Nintendo to date has trailed behind its rivals. Whether the Switch 2 closes these gaps remains to be seen.

Conclusion

Nintendo’s honest admission of the Switch 2 being very costly signals a new chapter for the company—a potentially more premium, console experience-aligned one, but still founded on its own innovative creative identity. Through the assistance of popular bundles of games and emphasis on smooth generational transition, Nintendo hopes to duplicate the phenomenal success of the original Switch.

In the meantime, the fans and commentators will be eager to observe how the company handles this crossroads. One thing is certain: the Switch 2 rollout will be among the most-watched gaming spectacles in 2025.