Doug Bowser - "some people...may not be able to afford [the Switch 2's] price point. That's why we wanted to make the other Switch platforms available

PS4 before the Switch 1 launch (NSW launch price: $300):
3192754-ps4.jpg


End result:
oZOanIE.jpeg


People have short memory.
For how much did the cheaper, $200 Lite model released 1.5 years into the console's lifecycle account for this?
 
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yeah, I mean...if this is what 450 buys these days......what does how much does a console that we would consider truly next gen cost in a couple years, given the current infation and tarrif BS? we might be looking at 750 dollar consoles.
We just have to, apparently prices have to go up by at least $100 each generation because… well… because… look Switch 2 did it and we need to justify it…

😂


(that is smart of them never to drop the price nor stop selling their 8 year old HW to then claim a big premium on their new console because it is a generational jump over it… sure.. sure..)
 
For how much did the cheaper, $200 Lite model released 1.5 years into the console's lifecycle account for this?
Lite model was released after 2 years and half from launch and represent a measly 16.7% of the total Switch sales worldwide as December 2024.
 
Lite model was released after 2 years and half from launch and represent a measly 16.7% of the total Switch sales worldwide as December 2024.
Yuo, got that wrong, it was 2.5 years. Accounting for 25M unit sales makes a difference, really.
 
Yuo, got that wrong, it was 2.5 years. Accounting for 25M unit sales makes a difference, really.
I'm not saying it wasn't useful, I'm stating that the majority of Switch sales comes from the more expensive hybrid models (to the surprise of no one).
 
This amount of attempted "damage control" is a huge red flag coming from Nintendo. They are definitely feeling the heat.
They should, I can't help but feel that they set this up themselves with Furukawa (in prior financial briefings/interviews) talking about how their customers expect affordability and that they'll take 'this' and 'that' into consideration when thinking about pricing.

Then we get a $450 system, $80 games, $80 controllers, and $10 freeware games..

200w.gif
 
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This amount of attempted "damage control" is a huge red flag coming from Nintendo. They are definitely feeling the heat.
They had to react, but they were clearly unprepared and they're so bad at it (always been). It's good that they're stuggling and hopefully the situation leads to taking real meassures to mitigate the situation instead of handling talking points.
 
It's so that we know he's very obviously the bad guy scapegoat
While he is sorta in a position to only be a scapegoat, he could have been a Reggie and demanded the tech demo be a free pack in. He also does have major influence over pricing in the US market. Very likely that he had a part in the 80 dollar bullshit.

It seems like a lot of games are going to be Switch and Switch 2 and the pricing is a delta. So 70 for Switch version 10 for upgrade, 80 for Switch 2. Utter shit, but that is seeming like the plan with the cross platform games.
 
They should, I can't help but feel that they set this up themselves with Furukawa (in prior financial briefings/interviews) talking about how their customers expect affordability and that they'll take 'this' and 'that' into consideration when thinking about pricing.

Then we get a $450 system, $80 games, $80 controllers, and $10 freeware games..

200w.gif
Edit: I mean this response in the "general" sense, not directly talking to you Robb

I don't see the problem. If money is TRULY a issue for you...

- Get a Switch MKW bundle for $500. then maybe one or two games for $60-$70 each ($120-$140). And that's it!

- Don't get a camera unless you absolutely need to see other people as basic chat is free for a year

- You don't have to get a Pro controller if you have a Switch 1 pro controller

- You don't have to get extra memory unless you plan to add a crap ton of games to your Switch 2 immediately

That makes your launch total Between $500-$640 max if you need to budget. If you can't afford that fir a console LAUNCH then you have other, more significant financial priorities you need to be focusing on
 
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Assuming Nintendo is assembling the consoles in Vietnam for the US, this is their one shot to capitalize on the Trump 90 day pause on worldwide tariff (except China).

Feels like WWIII could be close. As crazy as that sounds.

Let's see if Nintendo takes advantage and moves some NS2's in the short term!

I am curious to see if their stock price bounces tonight and tomorrow.
 
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That makes your launch total Between $500-$640 max if you need to budget. If you can't afford that fir a console LAUNCH then you have other, more significant financial priorities you need to be focusing on
I don't disagree, but I think it's more about the setting of people's expectations than anything else.

If you talk about affordability and then come out with products that are priced higher than the status quo, it'll rub people the wrong way, no matter if they can actually afford it or not.
 
Nintendo has always been premium, it never devalued its products, no matter how many years go by, they themselves tell you to your face, it's worth what it costs.
that's not what premium is.

i think Nintendo has more cultural capital (like Disney or Lego). so they can price their product higher. but definitively their products and brand are not premium. (could be perceived as such tho)
 
that's not what premium is.

i think Nintendo has more cultural capital (like Disney or Lego). so they can price their product higher. but definitively their products and brand are not premium. (could be perceived as such tho)
What? The Nintendo brand is premium. You literally pay more for their products than if sold by generic XYZ company. You're confusing quality with brand reputation. Brand is definitely premium.
 
What? The Nintendo brand is premium.
(could be perceived as such tho)

You literally pay more for their products than if sold by generic XYZ company.
Cultural capital

You're confusing quality with brand reputation. Brand is definitely premium.
Nintendo´s brand reputation is that of a family brand, kid-friendly (similar to what Disney used to be).

Its quality?. The build quality of its hardware is not premium at all (joy-con drift?) and they sold a cardboard accessory for example.
 
I don't disagree, but I think it's more about the setting of people's expectations than anything else.

If you talk about affordability and then come out with products that are priced higher than the status quo, it'll rub people the wrong way, no matter if they can actually afford it or not.
I think after the announcement of the next Xbox/Playstation console we will look back on Switch 2 as an extremely affordable launch.

Inflation exists. It just does. $60 priced videogames as a AAA standard were going to eventually give way.
 
I think after the announcement of the next Xbox/Playstation console we will look back on Switch 2 as an extremely affordable launch.
I can see that, maybe not extremely, but still. Everything is relative of course.

Outrage today will be based on today's comparative prices.
 
I can see that, maybe not extremely, but still. Everything is relative of course.

Outrage today will be based on today's comparative prices.
Good point and even today, if you want a great console you're looking @ $500 and up...or you can get a Series S or some other console where you'll never own your games.

Want to go the handheld route? You're not getting anything under $500 except a Steamdeck LCD...where you can't own your games physically, has a smaller screen, no HDR, only 60fpps and the modern AAA games can barely run on it.

So as you can see the options for a comparable option, under $500 aren't thar great. Switch 2, @$449 is still a great price, especially considering all of the tech under it's portable hood.
 
Sony was competing in a red ocean against a serious competitor that launched a year before them.

Nintendo is swimming alone in a blue ocean today.

Plus, let's be real...$499/$599 in 2006 isn't the same as $499/$549 in 2025
nintendo is competing against themselves in my opinion and i feel alot of casuals already got their nintedno fix with switch
 
Cultural capital


Nintendo´s brand reputation is that of a family brand, kid-friendly (similar to what Disney used to be).

Its quality?. The build quality of its hardware is not premium at all (joy-con drift?) and they sold a cardboard accessory for example.

I'm sorry, but you're wrong. People pay a premium for Nintendo because of their brand reputation of creating fun, accessible, and innovative products. There is a perceived economic value to their products based on this. Brand reputation is defined by public perception. I'm not saying that cultural capital isn't important to them, but brand reputation drives their premium price for their products even if the quality may not be there for enthusiasts who know better.
 
Want to go the handheld route? You're not getting anything under $500 except a Steamdeck LCD...where you can't own your games physically, has a smaller screen, no HDR, only 60fpps and the modern AAA games can barely run on it.

So as you can see the options for a comparable option, under $500 aren't thar great. Switch 2, @$449 is still a great price, especially considering all of the tech under its portable hood.
Tbh I think the biggest competitor to the Switch 2 might be the Switch (1), well, until we know what Sony and MS are working on. Which seems like a pretty good spot for Nintendo to be in.

While they're often compared on here, I'm not sure most people really view e.g. SteamDeck as the same kind of product as a Switch. The Switch Lite is by far the worst selling SKU, so it seems like it's the hybrid approach that really ads value for most people, which these portable PC-handhelds don't offer to begin with. At least not out of the box.
 
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even if the quality may not be there for enthusiasts who know better.
Because Nintedo is not for enthusiasts. It's for parents who buy a cheaper console for their children and has Mario, Pokemon and kirby.

remembers the 3DS debacle. What happened?

If You Say So Shrug GIF



Nintendo is not a brand that can compete in the premium market. If Nintendo offers a more expensive console than a PS5 (which is not even meant to be a premium product, but is perceived more premium than Nintendo´s) or the SW2´s price is in the same realm of a PC handhelds; They will be alienating their mass market audience: SW2 pricing is at odds with the market.

Either everything goes up or Nintendo folds.
 
There was probably a lot better, less Mattrick-y way to say this, like:

"We know not everyone will be able to afford a Switch 2 right away, which is why we intend to continue supporting the original Switch with great titles like Metroid Prime 4 and Pokemon Legends that will also offer enhanced visuals and features when those customers decide to upgrade to the new platform" -- see, PR isn't hard.
 
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Because Nintedo is not for enthusiasts. It's for parents who buy a cheaper console for their children and has Mario, Pokemon and kirby.

remembers the 3DS debacle. What happened?

If You Say So Shrug GIF



Nintendo is not a brand that can compete in the premium market. If Nintendo offers a more expensive console than a PS5 (which is not even meant to be a premium product, but is perceived more premium than Nintendo´s) or the SW2´s price is in the same realm of a PC handhelds; They will be alienating their mass market audience: SW2 pricing is at odds with the market.

Either everything goes up or Nintendo folds.

You and I are talking about the word premium in two different contexts. You are talking about it from the physical asset perspective and I'm talking about it from the economic value of the Nintendo brand. I don't disagree with that point. However, the brand has a premium based on its perception in the marketplace. They can and do charge more for what they make because of the Nintendo brand name.
 
I'm sorry, but you're wrong. People pay a premium for Nintendo because of their brand reputation of creating fun, accessible, and innovative products. There is a perceived economic value to their products based on this. Brand reputation is defined by public perception. I'm not saying that cultural capital isn't important to them, but brand reputation drives their premium price for their products even if the quality may not be there for enthusiasts who know better.
When you buy a Nintendo game you can mostly be assured it's going to be

- completed on cart
- mostly bug free
- NOT littered with shitty microtransactions
- offering gameplay that has a highly precieved amount of quality fun and innovation for ALL ages
- potentially offering hours upon hours of fun/engaging gameplay

Everyone knows this whether they want to admit it or not, and it's exactly why Nintendo's software sells in multiples of what most competitors software sells
 
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You and I are talking about the word premium in two different contexts. You are talking about it from the physical asset perspective and I'm talking about it from the economic value of the Nintendo brand. I don't disagree with that point. However, the brand has a premium based on its perception in the marketplace. They can and do charge more for what they make because of the Nintendo brand name.
Yeah, thats what I said about a brand having a Premium perception (like Disney or Lego).
 
What's Nintendo's fault if you're poor? Games are a luxury, not a basic necessity.
Why do you, as a consumer, argue for higher prices? You are on an enthusiasts board; I am willing to go out on a limb and guess that the majority of posters here can afford to buy a Switch 2.

The "poor" gamers have been big consumers of Nintendo's consoles in the past. We will have to wait and see if Nintendo has extended beyond that mass market appeal but no way am I going to sit here and hate it if the "poors" have access to entertainment. Necessity? No. A damn good distraction when life is kicking you in the ass? Yes.
 
Consoles are a luxury, and not everyone can afford them right away. But that isn't the problem Nintendo. Hell most people don't even care about the incredibly over priced console, because at least that is a one time purchase. The problem is the overpriced games. These games just simply aren't worth $80+ too those of us complaining. And that $80+ is a reoccuring problem, every time a game comes out, it's a problem. And this "answer" is a pathetic out of touch non answer, that shifts dialog away from the game prices towards console prices.
 
Odd move to pull a Mattrick.

Given the Switch never got an official price drop, it would have been an easy win to pivot this into a 'we're excited to announce Switch Lite and OG will be avaliable at the new price of $XXX, so more players can continue to enjoy our games'.

Not just a: Switch 1 remains full price, but it is cheaper than Switch 2. The peasants can save up for that.
 
Nintendo is not a brand that can compete in the premium market. If Nintendo offers a more expensive console than a PS5 (which is not even meant to be a premium product, but is perceived more premium than Nintendo´s) or the SW2´s price is in the same realm of a PC handhelds; They will be alienating their mass market audience: SW2 pricing is at odds with the market.
The above is an example of the short memory people has that I cited before.

PS4 before the Switch 1 launch (NSW launch price: $300):
3192754-ps4.jpg


End result:
oZOanIE.jpeg


People have short memory.


PS3's $600 launch price in 2006 is equivalent to roughly $950 today.
The irony is that even at that price Sony was losing a lot of money per unit sold.
Krazy Ken.
 
I would love to see the actual figures on what it costs them to make a game cartridge.
Is this a serious statement? Games aren't priced based on the media they're printed on.... Digital games would be free.

It's the years and thousands of people it takes to make the games.
 
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The above is an example of the short memory people has that I cited before.
Its strange that you ignored WiiU which released a couple of months before PS4. And he is right, Nintendo themselves is actively avoiding direct confrontation with Sony and MS! Nintendo worst nightmare is Sony targeting hybrid market.

How did Switch succeed and at what cost? Nintendo sacrificed their handheld market alltogether and put all their eggs in one basket? Is it the right approach? Maybe .. but blunders now will be more risky and painful. I didn't even mention the pandemic and its effect on PS5 vs Switch which also helped elevate Switch sales vs PS5 which faced major supply issues for close to two years of its life.
 
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There are subjective truths and objective truths.
You THINK they are the best, I THINK they are not. Those are subjective truths/opinions.
Objective truths are:
Nintendo sells very obsolete consoles, at premium prices.
Nintendo games lack high production values in many fields, and they are sold at premium prices.
Nintendo Switch 2 games are in line with what Nintendo has been doing for decades now. And they want to charge even more for these obsolete products with low production values.

You like to pay for those products premium prices and you get your kicks out of them, that's all good, it's your money i couldn't care less. But saying that they are the best there is. That is nonsense, I won't accept that as a universal truth, because they clearly aren't. They sell a lot of games? you bet.
They are the best in milking their fanbase ... thats the objective truth
 
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