2024 marks a significant milestone for Nintendo with the release of the Switch 2, a console that has been eagerly anticipated as the successor to the beloved original Switch. Despite its impressive hardware upgrades, the global economic climate and ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China have cast a shadow over its launch. Priced at $450 USD, with Mario Kart World at $80 USD, the Switch 2's cost has become a focal point of discussion, especially in the context of rising game and hardware prices worldwide.
To gauge the global reception of the Switch 2, I reached out to editors from IGN's international branches in Europe, South America, and Asia. The feedback has been mixed, with praise for the hardware improvements such as a 120hz refresh rate, HDR, and 4K output, but criticism over the absence of features like an OLED screen.
Global Perspectives on the Switch 2
In Italy, the sentiment is largely negative. Alessandro Digioia, editor-in-chief of IGN Italy, notes, "IGN Italia’s readers are predominantly dissatisfied with the Nintendo Switch 2. The main concerns revolve around the price point, the lack of an OLED screen, the absence of a trophy/achievement system, and a modest launch line-up." While third-party announcements were welcomed, the expectation for more robust first-party titles from Nintendo was not met.
Echoing similar sentiments, Pedro Pestana from IGN Portugal remarks, "Personally, I'm not that impressed with Switch 2, as it is basically a souped-up Switch 1 - better in every sense, but without the novelty factor of the original. That being said, I reckon it's gonna come down to the games, and Mario Kart World looked damn nice."
In contrast, regions like Benelux and Turkey seem more receptive to the hardware enhancements. Nick Nijiland from IGN Benelux reports, "We have seen in our region that the console has been received very well. People complain about the price, but at the same time, the console sold out within hours." Similarly, Ersin Kilic from IGN Turkey shares, "When I look at the comments, it is seen as positive that Nintendo corrected the points criticized on [the first] Switch. Although the console uses LCD, the fact that the screen is much better was received positively." However, the lack of Hall Effect in Joy-Con 2 remains a point of contention.
In China, the reaction is mixed. Kamui Ye from IGN China explains, "The reveal event has been met with widespread disappointment due to its lackluster launch title lineup and perplexing regional pricing strategies." The absence of new titles from major franchises like Mario, Legend of Zelda, or Animal Crossing was a significant letdown. However, Ye adds, "Optimism persists among core fans regarding Nintendo's long-term plans," with hopes pinned on future software support and hardware refinements like magnetic Joy-Cons.
Hardware Price and Tariff Concerns
Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 Console Slideshow
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The Switch 2 is set to launch at $450 USD in the United States, with pre-orders delayed due to ongoing tariff issues with China. This has prompted Nintendo to reconsider its launch strategy for the planned June 5 release date. In regions not directly affected by these tariffs, like Europe, pre-orders are already underway.
Antonia Dressler from IGN Germany notes, "In Germany, nobody is really worrying about the tariff situation regarding the Switch 2." However, the console's price is a major concern, with comparisons being drawn to the PS5. Zaid Kriel from IGN Africa adds, "At the moment, Nintendo's official website is taking pre-orders and the price is R12,499. It is not crazy pricing, but it's now in the same bracket as the PS5 and Xbox Series X. It's no longer a cheaper alternative, and that could be a problem, especially with the increase in game prices Nintendo has introduced."
Erwan Lafleuriel, editor-in-chief of IGN France, states, "The pricing problem pretty much overshadowed everything going on around the Switch 2 reveal, good or bad. The debate is raging mainly about prices, but I believe because it was kind of easy to overshadow a reveal lacking in many other aspects."
In Brazil, the tariff situation exacerbates the issue, as Matheus de Lucca from IGN Brazil explains, "The current tariff war initiated by the United States makes the scenario even worse for Brazil, since the Real is a weak currency compared to the dollar and an increase in the price of the Switch 2 in the United States will most likely have a huge impact on the whole of Latin America."
In Japan, Nintendo has opted for a region-locked version of the console at a lower price point. Daniel Robson from IGN Japan says, "I think Nintendo knew they couldn’t go over 50,000 yen in Japan – the weak yen means the relative pricing scale is very different here. But presumably they also realized that if the console was much cheaper here than anywhere else, people would try to import it or buy all the stock when they visit Japan. Hence the region lock – our cheaper Switch only plays Japanese games and supports only Japanese accounts."
Software Pricing: The Biggest Concern
Despite the hardware and tariff issues, the most significant concern for many is the pricing of software. Nintendo's decision to price Mario Kart World at $80 USD has sparked widespread criticism. Alessandro Digioia from IGN Italy notes, "Game pricing is by far the biggest issue raised, not only by our readers but by the Italian gaming community at large. Many feel that Nintendo's new pricing structure is unjustifiable, especially in light of recent increases that came with the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S era."
Antonia Dressler from IGN Germany echoes this sentiment, stating, "People are pissed. Especially with the 90 Euro for Mario Kart World, that is a record for a video game in Germany; not even titles like Assassin’s Creed cost as much."
In China, where there are no current plans for an official release, gamers may turn to the gray market, where prices for games are lower. Kamui Ye from IGN China says, "Regarding pricing, game prices in Hong Kong and Japanese editions are relatively lower compared to Western markets. Observations from social media comments under our content show most players find the official price acceptable."
Despite these challenges, the Switch 2 is poised for success due to its recognizable upgrade from one of the most popular consoles. However, the high cost of games during economic uncertainty has dampened enthusiasm among potential buyers. The impact of international politics on stock availability and pricing remains a significant concern. Yet, the global excitement for the Switch 2 is undeniable, though tempered by these various caveats.
