Nintendo Explains Why Mario Kart World and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Will Cost $80 for Switch 2

Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser and Vice President of Product and Player Engagement Bill Trinen explained the company’s pricing policy for Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives.

Image source: Nintendo

Let’s recall that Nintendo unpleasantly surprised fans with the price of the flagship Mario Kart World – $80 for the digital version. For comparison: the most expensive game from the original Switch (The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom) costs $10 less.

Bowser told The Washington Post that $80 for Mario Kart World is not a new standard for the company, and Switch 2 games will be priced based on their features and what they can offer the user.

«”Honestly, this game is so big and so vast that you’re going to find a lot of little details and secrets in it. I think when people buy and play [World], they’re going to think it’s the most intense Mario Kart ever,” Trinen told IGN.

A copy of Mario Kart World will cost $50 when bundled with a Nintendo Switch 2

Some Switch games will also be sold for $80 on the console as a “Switch 2 edition,” like Tears of the Kingdom. Switch owners will be able to upgrade for $10, while Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers will not have to pay.

Commenting on the cost of these remasters, Trinen reiterated Nintendo’s individual approach to determining the value of individual games: “We look at each game… and think, what is the right price for this entertainment?”

The Nintendo Switch 2 will go on sale on June 5 for $450. Nintendo previously delayed the start of pre-orders for the console in the US from April 9 to “assess the potential impact” of Trump’s tariffs (and possibly revise the price of the device).