
Nintendo's Strategy: Bundling Games to Offset Switch 2 Price Hike

By Mark Rosewater


By Mark Rosewater
Starting in September, the Nintendo Switch 2 console will see its price climb by $50, reaching a new retail price of $499.99. To make this change more palatable for consumers, Nintendo has unveiled new bundles that aim to offer compelling value for those looking to purchase the console.
Nintendo has announced a special bundle for "Mario Kart World," which will be available in late September. Priced at $549.99, this package includes the Switch 2 console, a digital copy of the game, and a 90-day individual membership to Nintendo Switch Online. This bundle represents an approximate savings of $38 for customers, making it an attractive option to experience one of the console's top exclusive titles.
Coinciding with its launch on October 22, the "Nintendo Switch Sports Resort" will also receive a dedicated bundle. For $529.99, purchasers will receive the console, a digital version of the game, and a 90-day Nintendo Switch Online individual membership. While offering a savings of $28, slightly less than the "Mario Kart World" bundle, this package celebrates the arrival of a new title. "Nintendo Switch Sports Resort," a successor to the 2022 hit "Switch Sports," expands on its predecessor with 12 games, including five returning favorites—tennis, volleyball, basketball, bowling, and golf—alongside new additions like table tennis, archery, skateboarding, and thumb wrestling.
Nintendo's price adjustment is not an isolated incident; both PlayStation and Xbox have similarly implemented multiple price increases for their hardware. This trend is largely attributed to the burgeoning demand from generative AI technologies, which has led to a scarcity of RAM and storage components in the consumer electronics market. This unusual situation sees consoles increasing in price later in their lifecycle, a departure from the typical price reductions, and has negatively affected overall console sales across the industry.
The new pricing for the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware will officially take effect on September 1st.
About the author

Head designer for "Magic: The Gathering" and author of long-running insights on game design.

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