As the Nintendo Switch 2 release date is coming up on June 5, there is one problem that bothers me and many other people: the price. Even the games advertised for it are way more expensive than what we would normally pay, and it makes many people unable to afford it as well. However, it is understandable that many companies need more profit because of how much it costs to make a game or console.
Normally, a game you would buy on the Nintendo Switch or even the previous console (Wii U) would cost around 50 to 60 dollars, while the console itself would be 300. But the average game price for the Nintendo Switch 2 is between 80 to 90 dollars with the console being priced at 450. Companies like PlayStation and Xbox were one of the first to make consoles around 500 dollars, but it’s saddening to see Nintendo do the same. Luckily, Nintendo and various other video game companies still offer previous consoles and games as a more affordable option.
However, only being able to access new and fun experiences if you can afford it sounds wrong. Gaming should remain inclusive and accessible to people who can’t keep up with the major rise in prices. While video games have downsides and more people in the younger audience can be exposed to violent themes or non-age-appropriate content, they inspire many interests and communities that bring people together that shouldn’t be stopped by a large price tag.
In May 2024, Hakita, the developer of the first–person shooter video game ULTRAKILL played on personal computers, responded to a post on X where someone admitted to pirating the game and said, “…culture shouldn’t exist only for those who can afford it. ULTRAKILL wouldn’t exist if I hadn’t had easy access to movies, music and games growing up.”
