The April 2 Nintendo Direct packed a punch with announcements many fans had been eagerly anticipating. Most notably, it unveiled details about the Nintendo Switch 2, including its price point, hardware specifics, and a few of its launch titles like Mario Kart World. Ever since the initial reveal of the Switch 2 earlier this year, speculation about its price had been rife. Many expected it to surpass the original Switch’s price tag significantly, which turned out to be true. The conversation has now shifted, with folks speculating that AAA games, like the much-awaited Grand Theft Auto 6, might come with a steeper price than previously guessed.
Interestingly, the Nintendo Switch 2 will retail for $449.00, a jump from the original Switch’s launch price of $299.99 back in 2017. This package comes complete with a dock, two Joy-Con controllers, grips, straps, and multiple cables, including HDMI and USB-C. For those interested in starting their Switch 2 journey with some added excitement, a bundle option is available. This package, priced at $499.00, includes all the base version offers plus a digital copy of Mario Kart World. However, Mario Kart World will be a bit pricey on its own, with the digital version set at $80 and the physical copy climbing to $90. Other titles set to launch with the Switch 2, like updated versions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, have yet to have their prices disclosed, but they are expected to follow a similar pricing model. This marks a significant leap from typical Switch game prices, which were about $59.99 as of 2025.
Turning to Rockstar Games, the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 is surrounded by as much speculation about pricing as it is excitement for the game itself. Expected to launch in late 2025, its price was initially theorized to settle around $80 – a common benchmark for expansive AAA titles. However, given Mario Kart World’s price tag, Rockstar’s hit could easily set gamers back even more. An earlier leak hinted at a jaw-dropping $112 price point, which financial analyst Michael Pachter deemed plausible given the game’s expansive world and buzz.
But, there’s a glimmer of hope for more budget-friendly options. For instance, Donkey Kong Bananza, which was also highlighted during the April Direct, is priced at $69.99, making it notably cheaper than Mario’s new racecourse. So while conjecture continues around whether games like Grand Theft Auto 6 will break new pricing grounds, it might well be that only a select few titles will see such significant price hikes. We’ll just have to wait for more official word from Rockstar to see how these predictions hold up. In the meantime, players are buzzing with anticipation, ready to see what new levels of adventure await on this next-gen console.
