In the weeks leading up to today, I was actually looking forward to hearing the details about Nintendo’s next console, Switch 2. Which might seem odd, considering I let the entirety of the original Switch lifecycle pass me by. And, actually, the last console of any kind that I purchased was a PS3 and I barely played any of the games I bought on that. I did upgrade my PC in 2022, and that is where I do most of my gaming. But… well, I have recently started being interested in portable gaming and figured that if I were to jump into the waters, maybe the Switch 2 would be as good a place as any.

Except, perhaps, when it costs this fucking much:

• Switch 2 console – $449.99
• Mario Kart World – $79.99 (!!!)

Leaks were suggesting $399, and it’s “just $50 more” as some say… but look at the game prices now. We were just talking about analysts suggesting (and begging) for Grand Theft Auto 6 to launch at $100, and it seemed like an absurdity. But here’s Nintendo leap-frogging the new $70 “standard” and going right for $80. And since it is Nintendo, these game prices are going to basically be set in stone for the decade – no Summer Sales or discounts for us.

Well, aside from the $500 console bundle with Mario Kart, saving you $30 one time.

The grand irony is that I had started getting interested in the Switch 2 because I developed a renewed interest in handheld emulators. I fell into a deep YouTube rabbit-hole around the explosion of these handhelds, and even picked one up myself on the cheap (Miyoo Mini+). This was technically (even more) unnecessary considering I still have a PSP and even an OG DS which are both set up to be emulators. In my mind though, I wanted something dedicated to emulation specifically, with a smaller formfactor, with the assumption that I may give it to my son once he gets into gaming. With me playing it in the meantime, of course.

After playing around with the Miyoo Mini+ though, I discovered strange sort of nostalgia holes. It will play up to PS1 games no problem, but I started thinking about the N64 games I might want to play again. Or GameCube. But not PS2, for some reason. Anyway, once you start looking into that direction, your options shrink until you start hitting the “Steam Deck” tier which is $400 (or more). At which point, well, here we are again. Although potentially tackling my Steam backlog…

…I wonder how long it will take for the Switch 2 to be cracked? Best of all worlds, potentially.

In any case, god damn, Nintendo. There are plenty of talking heads saying that $70/$80 games are “necessary” to “save” the industry. What’s not often mentioned is how many chairs will be remaining once the music stops. Gamers were already spending 60% of their time playing 6+ year old games back in 2023, so how many new $80 titles do you think they’ll be buying in 2025 in this economy? Nintendo will probably be fine. Other studios? Probably not so much.