Nintendo unveils Switch 2 ahead of June 5 launch

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Rising game prices and Nintendo’s pricing strategy

  • Main shock: first-party titles at $80 (digital) and €90 in Europe; some mention $90 physical for Mario Kart.
  • Surprise that Nintendo, long seen as “family” and price-stable, is the one normalizing this tier.
  • Some defend pricing via inflation comparisons (SNES/N64-era carts often >$100 in today’s money) and rising dev costs.
  • Others argue incomes/purchasing power and living costs make this hike feel far worse than inflation charts suggest.
  • Nintendo’s near-absence of deep discounts is divisive:
    • Fans like the predictable value, lack of FOMO sales tactics, and strong resale prices.
    • Critics see it as price-gouging and a reason to stick to PC/Steam/Steam Deck.

Physical vs digital, new “key cards,” and storage

  • Physical carts now carry an extra premium; speculation that faster media is expensive, plus some carts will be download-only “dongles.”
  • Debate over whether physical should cost more than digital, given digital’s DRM risks and no resale.
  • New “key cards” that act as physical licenses for downloads are seen as:
    • A cleaner, cheaper way to do physical for huge/low-budget titles.
    • A possible model for Sony/Microsoft if it’s well received.
  • microSD Express support excites some (first mainstream device, good prices emerging), and others wonder about security implications.

Hardware, features, durability, and drift

  • General consensus: Switch 2 is a solid iterative upgrade (better screen, 120 Hz, upscaling, better dock cooling).
  • Concerns:
    • Price of the console (~$450/€470) so close to Steam Deck.
    • Underwhelming for those wanting radically better durability and performance.
    • Frustration that Nintendo won’t explicitly address Joy-Con drift or commit to Hall effect sticks.
  • Mixed feelings on camera and dedicated chat button:
    • Useful for kids’ social play and streaming-style sharing.
    • Others see them as privacy/UX “anti-features” and want robust parental and disable controls.

Launch, scalping, and regional quirks

  • Priority-purchase system (online members with telemetry and 50+ hours) is read as:
    • Either a telemetry-fueled FOMO MBA stunt, or
    • A scalper-prevention, loyal-customer reward similar to Steam Deck’s rollout.
  • Some question GDPR compliance in Europe and note modded-switch owners won’t qualify.
  • Japan-only, region-locked and language-locked cheaper model is seen as:
    • Anti-scalping and yen-weakness compensation.
    • Notably the first time the console itself is region/language-locked rather than just games.

Competition and value vs Steam Deck / PC

  • Many compare price and flexibility to Steam Deck:
    • Deck seen as more powerful, open, repairable, with cheaper games.
    • For non–Nintendo-first-party fans, Switch 2 is a hard sell.
  • Others note Nintendo has always been expensive on games; the new twist is no longer being the clearly cheaper hardware option.

Library, audience, and accessibility

  • Some disappointment at lack of a flagship new 3D Mario/Zelda at launch; spin-offs and upgrades feel thin for a pricey new system.
  • Concern that high software + hardware prices push children/low-budget players out, especially as physical resale is de-emphasized.
  • Nintendo’s historically hostile stance toward modding/emulation and copyright enforcement leads a few to maintain personal boycotts.
  • One commenter asks about accessibility (e.g., screen reader) and notes Nintendo is now behind Xbox/PlayStation here; no clear answer in thread.