Nintendo has defended its decision to charge $79.99 for Mario Kart World, which is more expensive than the most expensive game on the Switch, despite criticism over a $10 price hike for some Switch 2 games. The company’s Vice President of Product and Player Experience, Bill Trinen, insisted that the higher prices are justified by the value offered in each game.
Trinen pointed to the upcoming Mario Kart World Nintendo Direct as an opportunity for fans to learn more about the game and its features, which he believes will justify the high price. When asked about the $80 cost of some Switch 2 Edition games, Trinen emphasized that the prices are based on the value offered by each title, taking into account the costs associated with releasing a new console.
Industry analysts have echoed Nintendo’s approach, noting that the company has a history of pricing its games higher than other platforms. Piers Harding-Rolls, Research Director at Ampere Analysis, pointed out that Nintendo often prices its games based on its own appreciation of value, rather than cost of goods.
The high price tag for the Switch 2 and its games has sparked concerns among some fans that they may be priced out of the next-generation console. However, it’s clear that despite calls to drop the price, the company is unlikely to reduce costs due to the tariff situation and increasing costs associated with releasing a new console.
The decision to charge high prices for the Switch 2 and its games has sparked debate among fans, but Nintendo remains committed to justifying its pricing strategy based on the value offered by each game.
Source: https://www.ign.com/articles/switch-2-exclusive-mario-kart-world-justifies-its-80-price-tag-nintendo-insists-in-first-comments-addressing-cost-controversy