The Switch 2 price has stretched the budget of gamers accustomed to more affordable Nintendo consoles. In a conference with investors, the Nintendo boss emphasized that the company is not abandoning the original handheld. The gaming giant also has a wide variety of properties, including in movie theaters and at theme parks.
Past Nintendo consoles have often been more affordable than the competition from Sony or Microsoft. After the company revealed the Switch 2 price, some gamers worried the handheld had lost that advantage. During a recent investor call, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa addressed the affordability issue. Focusing on younger gamers, Furukawa suggested other ways for them to stay engaged in the Nintendo ecosystem.
With improved Switch 2 specs, the console can play more AAA titles with cutting-edge visuals. That adds to the mainstream appeal of the system, but only for those gamers with a sufficient budget. For younger buyers, Furukawa explains: “We are creating various opportunities outside of our gaming systems for young children to engage with Nintendo characters and game worlds, with one of the ultimate goals being that they will eventually play on our gaming consoles.”
Nintendo characters also exist outside of the Switch consoles. Free-to-play mobile games like Mario Kart Tour are more accessible than Mario Kart World, which costs up to $80. The company has also opened theme parks and museums. Finally, Nintendo has a stake in the movie industry, with the Super Mario Bros. sequel set to debut in April 2026.
During the investor Q&A, Furukawa reminded the audience that Nintendo continues to support the first Switch. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokémon Legends: Z-A will be available on both console generations later in 2025.
Many gamers find the rising costs of some Switch 2 games another obstacle to upgrading. However, the handheld’s backward compatibility allows players to enjoy a larger library. Older titles, such as Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, even have a free upgrade patch to take advantage of the Switch 2 specs.
Despite alternatives, it’s the Switch 2 games and new console that buyers of all ages currently covet most. On a furious sales pace, so far, the higher Switch 2 price hasn’t slowed adoption of the system.
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Adam Corsetti – Tech Writer – 425 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2025
I became interested in technology at a young age and enjoyed discovering the latest innovations. While earning college degrees in publishing, I created several PC hardware and gaming websites. My passion has always been to guide readers on what products can truly improve their lives. After many years as a Tech Writer for Game Rant, I’m anxious to share my knowledge with a new audience at Notebookcheck.
Adam Corsetti, 2025-07- 4 (Update: 2025-07- 4)
