Nintendo To Launch Switch 2 In June For $449.99

The Japanese video game company Nintendo announced on Wednesday that the new Nintendo Switch 2 will be available for sale in the United States on June 5 at a retail price of $449.99. During a live presentation, experts showcased the new features of the device as well as images of the upcoming game Mario Kart World.

The Japanese video game company Nintendo announced this Wednesday that the new Nintendo Switch 2 will be available for sale in the United States on June 5 at a retail price of $449.99. During a live presentation, the experts showcased the new features of the device as well as images of the upcoming game Mario Kart World.

Nintendo made the announcements during a Nintendo Direct, where the director Kouichi Kawamoto, producer Takuhiro Dohta, and hardware designer Tetsuya Sasaki provided more details about the new device and explained its most relevant features.

The team shared high-quality images of the new game Mario Kart World, launching exclusively for the new device on the same day. A new C button will allow players to activate a new function called GameChat, which connects users and allows video conferences and streaming—with a camera accessory sold separately.

“Nintendo Switch 2 is the next step in at-home gaming that can be taken on the go based on eight years of play and discovery that began with Nintendo Switch,” said Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa in the official announcement shared by the company.

Millions of players all over the world watched the Nintendo Direct for the highly anticipated product, officially announced in January, and many shared mixed feelings on multiple social media channels.

While users were excited and enthusiastic about the new Nintendo Switch 2, Mario Kart World, and the other games announced—,  hundreds of comments shared discontent with the prices.

“Watching this Direct and then immediately seeing Mario Kart World’s $79.99 price was like getting a hug followed by a stab to the back,” wrote one user.

According to Reuters, experts in the game industry shared similar thoughts. “The price is a bit higher than what was widely expected,” said Serkan Toto, founder of Kantan Games consultancy, to the news agency. Nintendo could have considered the current inflationary environment.

Another expert, Atul Goyal, noted that the device costs $334 in Japan—49,980 yen—and that President Donald Trump’s new tariffs could have been considered in the U.S. price.

However, in November, Nintendo said Nintendo Switch games will be compatible with the new hardware and the company reminded users of this characteristic in the latest announcement as well.