Nintendo on Switch 2 Price
Business
08 July 2025 09:51
Nintendo has responded to growing concerns surrounding the launch of its next-generation console, the Switch 2, with company president Shuntaro Furukawa addressing topics such as pricing, development costs, and limited availability during a recent shareholder Q&A session.
Despite the premium price tag of the Switch 2, Furukawa stood by the company’s pricing strategy, calling it “appropriate for the gaming experience that it offers.” When questioned on whether the cost might hinder younger audiences from accessing the console, he acknowledged the issue, stating, “We are closely monitoring to what degree the price of the system might become a barrier.”
The president also touched on the broader implications of evolving hardware capabilities, which have led to longer and more resource-intensive game development cycles. “Recent game software development has become larger in scale and longer in duration, resulting in higher development costs,” he said. “The game business has always been a high-risk business, and we recognise that rising development costs are increasing that risk.”
Nintendo, however, appears committed to maintaining its hallmark approach to game design while seeking more efficient production processes. Furukawa suggested the company is exploring alternative strategies to control costs without sacrificing creativity. “We also believe it is possible to develop game software with shorter development periods that still offer consumers a sense of novelty,” he added. “We see this as one potential solution to the concern about rising development costs and software prices.”
As for hardware demand, the Switch 2 has already made waves in key markets, especially Japan. According to Furukawa, demand is outpacing supply across multiple countries. “We will continue to strengthen our production and supply systems to deliver as many Switch 2 systems as possible to our customers,” he assured investors.
In Japan alone, Nintendo received over 2.2 million applications for the Switch 2’s pre-order lottery—making it the largest console launch in the country's history. The U.S. also saw record-breaking launch week numbers.
To manage overwhelming demand, Nintendo implemented strict pre-order restrictions on its My Nintendo Store platform. In Japan, eligibility was limited to users with a 12-month Nintendo Switch Online membership, those who had purchased that membership themselves, and players who had logged at least 50 hours of gameplay with data sharing enabled.
These criteria were similarly applied to select customers in the UK and US. Furukawa explained that the system was designed to reward engaged users. “It was to offer consumers who have actively been playing the Switch a prioritised opportunity to purchase the Switch 2,” he said.
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Business
08 July 2025 09:51
Nintendo has responded to growing concerns surrounding the launch of its next-generation console, the Switch 2, with company president Shuntaro Furukawa addressing topics such as pricing, development costs, and limited availability during a recent shareholder Q&A session.
Despite the premium price tag of the Switch 2, Furukawa stood by the company’s pricing strategy, calling it “appropriate for the gaming experience that it offers.” When questioned on whether the cost might hinder younger audiences from accessing the console, he acknowledged the issue, stating, “We are closely monitoring to what degree the price of the system might become a barrier.”
The president also touched on the broader implications of evolving hardware capabilities, which have led to longer and more resource-intensive game development cycles. “Recent game software development has become larger in scale and longer in duration, resulting in higher development costs,” he said. “The game business has always been a high-risk business, and we recognise that rising development costs are increasing that risk.”
Nintendo, however, appears committed to maintaining its hallmark approach to game design while seeking more efficient production processes. Furukawa suggested the company is exploring alternative strategies to control costs without sacrificing creativity. “We also believe it is possible to develop game software with shorter development periods that still offer consumers a sense of novelty,” he added. “We see this as one potential solution to the concern about rising development costs and software prices.”
As for hardware demand, the Switch 2 has already made waves in key markets, especially Japan. According to Furukawa, demand is outpacing supply across multiple countries. “We will continue to strengthen our production and supply systems to deliver as many Switch 2 systems as possible to our customers,” he assured investors.
In Japan alone, Nintendo received over 2.2 million applications for the Switch 2’s pre-order lottery—making it the largest console launch in the country's history. The U.S. also saw record-breaking launch week numbers.
To manage overwhelming demand, Nintendo implemented strict pre-order restrictions on its My Nintendo Store platform. In Japan, eligibility was limited to users with a 12-month Nintendo Switch Online membership, those who had purchased that membership themselves, and players who had logged at least 50 hours of gameplay with data sharing enabled.
These criteria were similarly applied to select customers in the UK and US. Furukawa explained that the system was designed to reward engaged users. “It was to offer consumers who have actively been playing the Switch a prioritised opportunity to purchase the Switch 2,” he said.
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