Nintendo has officially announced the launch of its highly anticipated Switch 2 gaming console, set for release on June 5. The successor to the best-selling hybrid console will retail for $449.99 in the United States.
The Kyoto-based company provided further details on Wednesday, following an initial reveal in January. The Switch 2 retains the core design of its predecessor but introduces upgraded hardware, a larger screen, new mouse controls, and a dedicated chat button on the controller.
Pricing for the Japanese market will start at 49,980 yen ($334) for a system with Japanese language support and 69,980 yen for a multi-language version.
Higher Price, Stronger Features
“The price is a bit higher than expected,” said Serkan Toto, founder of gaming consultancy Kantan Games. He noted that Nintendo likely considered inflation and Sony’s $699.99 price tag for the PlayStation Pro when setting the price.
The original Switch, launched in 2017 at $299.99, has sold over 150 million units. Hardware upgrades and popular franchises such as Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda helped extend its lifecycle.
According to Jefferies analyst Atul Goyal, the new device offers a “premium, ambitious platform” with a deeper software ecosystem than anticipated.
Nintendo also revealed several upcoming games, including Mario Kart World, enhanced Zelda titles, and classic GameCube games available through Nintendo Online.
Market and Supply Chain Concerns
Investors are closely watching Nintendo’s hardware supply strategy, especially given past disruptions. Analyst Minami Munakata of Goldman Sachs estimates the company is aiming for over 10 million unit shipments in the first year.
Meanwhile, Nintendo’s pricing strategy may reflect global trade conditions. With the U.S. implementing tariffs on imports, the lower price in Japan suggests the U.S. price accounts for these additional costs.
Analysts also note a shift in the gaming industry, with subscription-based models and backwards compatibility easing the transition between console generations.
“The situation is similar to Sony’s PS4-to-PS5 transition, where earnings remained strong without a significant downturn,” Munakata wrote.
Despite the excitement, Nintendo’s stock dropped 3% following the announcement, in line with a broader market decline of 3.5%. Market strategist Amir Anvarzadeh of Asymmetric Advisors cautioned that the new console might not be enough to justify the company’s current share price.
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