The Nintendo Switch 2 is releasing June 5th, 2025. The thing is, it’ll release with an absurd price, literally. Nintendo plans to sell the Switch 2 at $449, the same price as a PS5 Digital Version, with their games planned to be sold at $80. People are excited for this upgrade, yet others complain about the insane pricing, so is purchasing the Switch 2 really worth it?
Compared to the first Nintendo Switch, the Switch 2 has eight times more storage (256 GB), 4k video rather than HD, double the framerate, (120 fps) and a screen 1.7 inches larger (7.9 in.). The only drawbacks there really are that it’ll have a shorter battery life of 2-6.5 hours instead of the original 4.5-9 hours of battery life and that the Switch 2 will be a bit heavier by 100 grams if you want to count that as a downside.
Some complaints about the Switch 2 is its “C” button which allows the user to access voice and video chat with their friends on the Switch 2. People dislike that it will require a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to use, as well as the quality of the communication service.
One communication platform I’d like to talk about is Discord, which is widely used by 200 million users on average. Based on short clips Nintendo has shown us, their voice and video chat appears to be a downgrade compared to Discord. The reason I’m comparing it to Discord is because Discord is a free service while Nintendo’s is a paid subscription. People are also asking why they should pay for voice and video communication when there’s a free and higher quality option available on all devices.
Tariffs are also affecting their ability to ship the Switch 2 into America due to Trump. Because of the tariffs, preorders for the Switch 2 have been delayed. Prices on Switch 2 accessories may also increase due to the tariffs.
Accessories aren’t the only thing that are increasing in price though, as seen recently, many games are starting to be sold at 70 dollars, but Nintendo is taking it up a notch and selling their new releases accompanying the Switch 2 at 80 dollars instead. They also don’t bother with reducing the cost of old games such as Super Mario Odyssey which was released in 2017 and is still priced at 60.
Though the Switch 2 has many improvements compared to the Switch 1, perhaps purchasing a PS5 would still be more beneficial, with their exclusives being at least 10 dollars cheaper or less. The PlayStation 5 also has higher quality games as well as stronger hardware than the Switch 2.
Compared to the Switch 1, the Switch 2 may be worth it, but when you compare it to something like the PS5, it doesn’t seem all that worth it, considering both the Switch 2 and PS5 are listed at the same price. With more high quality PS5 exclusives coming soon (Ghost of Yōtei, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, etc.), you’d probably be better off buying a PS5 instead.
