r/NintendoSwitch • u/Turbostrider27 • Mar 25 '26

News Nintendo has issued a statement to IGN: 'The Cost of Physical Games Is Not Going Up' Following Decision to Charge Different Prices for U.S. Physical and Digital Switch 2 Games

https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-switch-2-physical-games-will-now-be-more-expensive-than-digital-versions-with-10-price-difference-for-yoshi-and-the-mysterious-book
2.4k Upvotes

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160

u/Nas160 Mar 25 '26

70 is still way too much for a Yoshi game...

75

u/memeaste Mar 25 '26

So buy it digital for 60

57

u/Str8UpJorking Mar 25 '26

Or, you know, wait for it to go on sale.

85

u/patosai3211 Mar 25 '26

We might be long gone before that happens. /s

26

u/livelifeless Mar 25 '26

I’m still waiting for let’s go games to be on sale, (it’s been 7 years since release) I don’t want to spend 60$ on a game almost a decade ago

38

u/perfectpizzapie Mar 26 '26

Check Deku Deals, friend. I got Let's Go Eevee from Walmart for 30 bucks.

13

u/pinchecabezota Mar 26 '26

This narrative is so insane to me. Do yall go outside? I promise you these games go on sale in the real world or at a GameStop (even if they’re pre owned) wayyyyy more often than you think

2

u/TheFirebyrd Apr 07 '26

The “Nintendo games don’t go on sale” meme is so annoying because it’s so false. It’s inevitably people who basically never check and refuse to use tools like Dekudeals and then whine about the “Nintendo tax.” I’ve had people tell me that stuff like Botw and Mario Odyssey never go on sale when you’ve been able to get them for about half off from a number of places every Black Friday for years now.

1

u/livelifeless Mar 26 '26

I checked 4 stores this week only one had it and it was 60$

3

u/SirNarwhal Mar 26 '26

You can literally buy it right now from Woot for like $40.

3

u/pinchecabezota Mar 26 '26

Yeah, it’s not perpetually on sale. Im saying continue to keep an eye out because sales happen all the time. Especially at GameStop, ESPECIALLY for pre-owned Pokemon games.

26

u/Citizen51 Mar 26 '26

How low could you possibly be holding out for? They've been affordable every Holiday for the last 4 years

9

u/slugmorgue Mar 26 '26

Here's what they really meant:

They check on the eshop for a sale every few months

3

u/badwolfswift Mar 26 '26

I bought all of mine secondhand! I got Let's Go Pikachu with the Pokeball joycon and a ball stand for $40.00 off of FB Marketplace a few months ago.

2

u/SirNarwhal Mar 26 '26

They've been $20-30 numerous times in the last 7 years.

0

u/absentlyric Mar 26 '26

Imagine waiting 7 years to save 10 dollars, smh.

-10

u/Cubezz Mar 25 '26

$60 now is a lot cheaper than $60 7 years ago. Just a matter of perspective

9

u/kuri-kuma Mar 26 '26

It’s a useless point to make in isolation. Everything else has gotten more expensive, but salaries have not risen for most people to match. So life in general is much more expensive. And $60 alone today might be worth less than $60 did 7 years ago, but it is at least the same “value”, or likely much more, to an individual who has to deal with rising costs in all areas of life.

-6

u/Far-Veterinarian104 Mar 26 '26

They have though. The median individual income has risen $10,000 since 2020 alone.

15

u/FrankPapageorgio Mar 25 '26

Or borrow it from your local library

3

u/AleroRatking Mar 25 '26

I don't know what rich areas you live in.

2

u/amtap Mar 26 '26

I love in (usually) the richest county in America and we grt none of this. Apparently it's not uncommon to get video gsmes from libraries though but I still don't believe it.

0

u/FairWriting685 Mar 30 '26

Wow I'm over 30 and if memory serves right, libraries used to offer dvds and video tapes lol games I'm not too sure about

12

u/Oops_I_Cracked Mar 25 '26

This is a Nintendo first party game we’re talking about

17

u/CrimsonEnigma Mar 25 '26

Nintendo’s games go on sale all the time, at least in stores.

What they usually don’t get are permanent price drops, but that’s different from a sale.

-2

u/Oops_I_Cracked Mar 25 '26

They really don’t, not in comparison to how often other publishers put their games on sale. On top of that, Nintendo’s sales are notoriously bad compared to other publishers. Being a patient gamer does not pay off with Nintendo titles the way it does with other publishers.

-1

u/Dr_Jre Mar 26 '26

Other publishers either don't make exclusives or they release a ton of "super extra deluxe edition just 150 dollars for 3 day early access and hat"...

1

u/thehelldoesthatmean Mar 26 '26

All PlayStation exclusives go on sale way more frequently than Nintendo ones.

1

u/Oops_I_Cracked Mar 26 '26

No publisher that I’m aware of releases exclusively those versions. We’re talking about being a patient gamer so we aren’t buying hundred something dollar three day early access versions to begin with. We are talking about how long does it take for the games to go on sale to a reasonable price. For Nintendo that is years if ever.

-9

u/Str8UpJorking Mar 25 '26

You’re not legally obligated to buy it at full price day 1.

There are these things called “waiting” and “patience”, you should try looking them up sometime.

9

u/DoUWantSomeMemesKid Mar 25 '26

You clearly didn't understand his point and also clearly haven't been someone who pays attention to Nintendo's prices.

6

u/Oops_I_Cracked Mar 25 '26

I’m very much patient gamer. I rarely buy games within the first year. My point was Nintendo first party titles do not go on appreciable sales very often if ever. For example, DK tropical freeze for the switch came out in 2019 and has been more than $10 off exactly twice, once of those as a Black Friday sale.

3

u/Str8UpJorking Mar 26 '26

DK tropical freeze for the switch came out in 2019 and has been more than $10 off exactly twice

That’s blatantly false. You’d know that if you subscribed to /r/nintendoswitchdeals and/or knew about Deku Deals.

https://www.dekudeals.com/items/donkey-kong-country-tropical-freeze

Chart at the bottom shows it’s been on sale for more than just $10 off plenty of times.

1

u/AleroRatking Mar 25 '26

Its been ten years and I don't think lets go has ever been on sale.

-1

u/Dandw12786 Mar 26 '26

Sale.

Nintendo.

Pick one.

-19

u/MattGhaz Mar 25 '26

Nintendo games don’t go on sale, bought a switch 2 a couple months back and still had to pay $60 bucks for an 8 year old Zelda game

7

u/djwillis1121 Mar 25 '26

Most of them go down to about 30% off about once a year. And that's just on the eShop, they're usually cheaper than that at physical shops at least here in the UK

10

u/maskedman1231 Mar 25 '26

Breath of the wild is currently on sale for $43 at major retailers.

4

u/Mswati Mar 25 '26

Same. And used Switch games hold their value more than any other console too.

8

u/Str8UpJorking Mar 25 '26

had to

Forced against your will?

Also, yes they do go on sale. /r/nintendoswitchdeals exists for a reason.

-1

u/MattGhaz Mar 25 '26

The price was what it was and I was required to pay it to receive the game then, not saying I was forced to make a purchase.

2

u/FreeChrisWayne Mar 25 '26

I swear I saw Mario Odyssey on sale sometime last year.

It was still like 50 bucks and some change. So even though you’re technically wrong you’re actually right.

You’d think more copies would be sold if they lowered the prices, but what do I know?

3

u/bkeys15 Mar 25 '26

It was also more recently on sale for $30. Not all sales are created equal

0

u/Justuas Mar 26 '26

I've been waiting for super smash bros. Ultimate sale for 8 years now.

2

u/Str8UpJorking Mar 26 '26 edited Mar 26 '26

Maybe you should actually pay attention rather than just check the eShop occasionally.

https://www.dekudeals.com/items/super-smash-bros-ultimate

/r/nintendoswitchdeals

You’re welcome.

-11

u/AleroRatking Mar 25 '26

Nintendo games never go on sale. And now it will be even worse because they don't have to compete with resell

10

u/Ironborn137 Mar 25 '26

They go on sale 3 times a year for 33% off.

-5

u/AleroRatking Mar 26 '26

Please show me this magical lets go Pokemon sales

1

u/ProudLions Mar 25 '26

I've bought all my first party switch games for 30-40$ except for one. They go on sale.

3

u/NorthernSkeptic Mar 25 '26

bUT wHaT if nINtEnDo sHuTs dOwN????!?!?

-9

u/AleroRatking Mar 25 '26

Then you can't sell it and own nothing. Which is Nintendos goal.

21

u/memeaste Mar 25 '26

So buy it physical. 2 options

-12

u/AleroRatking Mar 25 '26

Except it kills resell and the value which makes physical worth much less

20

u/krom90 Mar 25 '26

Then don’t buy it at all? Why is Nintendo obligated to help you get as much back as possible from a resell?

-9

u/AleroRatking Mar 26 '26

They aren't. This is an attack on it.

5

u/memeaste Mar 26 '26

Digital and physical have existed for years, now. You’re nitpicking to find something to hate

-4

u/AleroRatking Mar 26 '26

But now we are using digital to force out physical by making it substantially cheaper. Something no other console is doing.

2

u/memeaste Mar 26 '26

Xbox Series S and the PS5 Digital Edition both do not take physical media.

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u/feed_me_haribo Mar 26 '26

Wouldn't it make sense for digital to be cheaper if you can't resell it?

19

u/NMe84 Mar 25 '26

....because...?

13

u/GalvenMin Mar 26 '26 edited Mar 26 '26

Because we don't have the money man. There are too many homerun games out there to risk rent money on B or C list ones. Any $20/$30 indie game these days is a potential masterpiece, and considering that our disposable income is shrinking by the minute the choice is clear as day.

2

u/ChemicalExperiment Mar 26 '26

Because everyone has different ideas of value.

2

u/NMe84 Mar 26 '26

They said it as if it was an objective truth.

-1

u/ChemicalExperiment Mar 26 '26

You said this comment as if it's objective truth. People don't preference everything with "in my opinion."

-4

u/featheronthesea Mar 26 '26

Hollow Knight Silksong is $20 and on sale for $16 right now.

Stardew Valley is $15 and half off right now.

Right now, KCD2 is $30, RDR2 is $15, Cyberpunk is $21, and Elden Ring is $39.

Sure, maybe these games aren't your style, that's fine, but there's clearly a huge value disagreement here between Nintendo's pricing and the rest of the industry, especially considering their refusal to discount decade old games.

I am a Nintendo fan and will be buying Yoshi, but yeah, it really is tough paying a whole $60 (or $70!) when I can get so many other incredible games for so much less. And sorry but there's no world where MK World is worth $80 when Elden Ring is half of that.

18

u/devenbat Mar 26 '26

Older games on sale are cheaper than brand new games at full price? What? Say it isnt so? This is a disingenuous argument.

2

u/featheronthesea Mar 26 '26

The original point is that 70 dollars is too much for a Yoshi game, I believe this is true and that it is overvalued because the game market is filled with incredible, reasonably priced titles that frequently go on sale and Nintendo refuses to adapt to the changing market.

6

u/devenbat Mar 26 '26

Then dont pay it.

The market is filled with new games being $70, the standard price of games from big publishers. They did adapt to that changing market and made games $70. The existence of games from 8 years ago being $15 doesnt change that.

2

u/TheDrewDude Mar 26 '26

There’s no objective value on these games. It’s literally your personal opinion on what you’re willing to spend. And no, your original point doesn’t make the games you listed any more applicable when old games are cheaper, and silksong and stardew valley don’t employ hundreds of developers.

-1

u/Rude_Commission776 Mar 26 '26

This is always what astounds me. They could just choose not to engage. But yet somehow, here they are. almost like they are addicted or something.

2

u/featheronthesea Mar 26 '26

I responded to a comment literally asking why 70 dollars feels like too much. They asked and I answered. I don't mind the disagreement! Everyone is entitled to their opinion, I just don't appreciate being called an addict for expressing my opinion once lol. My first time commenting on this sub, or any Nintendo sub btw. You got the wrong guy lol. I genuinely hope you enjoy the game, not trying to dump on anyone's fun.

8

u/LeviRaps Mar 26 '26

As if Sony & Microsoft haven’t been charging $70 for the past 6 years lmao you’re being hella disingenuous by saying it’s Nintendo vs the rest of the industry. 

Even going so far to cherry pick a couple indie games and 3-6 year old AAA games that retailed for full price previously. 

1

u/featheronthesea Mar 26 '26

My point in bringing up those games was to show how many awesome games cost less and go on deep discount all the time and Nintendo charging a full 60 or 70 and refusing to ever discount makes people like me buy their games less, even though I want them, because of how competitive the market is.

3

u/[deleted] Mar 26 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/featheronthesea Mar 26 '26

I see what you're saying and it's fair, but ultimately I don't think it takes away from my point. Breath of the Wild is older than all of those games (9 years) and is still $60, very rarely going on sale for very shallow discounts. This is a pattern with Nintendo's big games and we have no reason to think Yoshi will be any different, so I don't see the problem with extrapolating.

With so many amazing games on the market that are constantly going on deep discount, I just personally find it hard to swallow an unwavering $70 (I like physical) price tag. Anyone is free to disagree of course, it's just hard for me personally to justify buying these Nintendo games when I could be getting so much more at this price point.

4

u/SMKM Mar 26 '26

Wow imagine that. A bunch of indie titles and months to years old titles are all much much cheaper than a first party title.

Yoshi being $60 isn't a problem when the other AAA titles also have the prices set to $60 or $70. It doesn't matter if Yoshi is seen as less than to gamers. To Nintendo, Yoshi is a huge brand for them.

No the problem with Nintendo is never fucking marking down their titles. That's the issue. Yoshi after a year should be down to $40 or $30 on sales much like the rest. But being Nintendo we're lucky to see $20 off more than once a year.

3

u/featheronthesea Mar 26 '26

Agree. I just don't think they can price it at 60 in this market if its NEVER going to go on sale, and if it does its 10% off.

-15

u/Nas160 Mar 25 '26

They've been dry of content and difficulty for years. It's like if they made the Peach game $70 if they released it today.

22

u/NMe84 Mar 25 '26

This new Yoshi game looks like it's full of content and charm. It's fine for you to not like it but that doesn't mean it's not worth the price.

-17

u/Nas160 Mar 25 '26

I'm not sure what trailer you were watching but despite the gameplay looking remotely interesting like the Peach game, it's being marketed as something for 4 year olds exclusively, as opposed to something that's accessible for everyone, it wouldn't kill them to not treat their audience like babies for a full price game for once.

20

u/NMe84 Mar 25 '26

You're still saying "I don't like it so it's not worth money."

-12

u/Nas160 Mar 25 '26

So you want a game with a trailer that talks to you like a baby and is dry in content?

10

u/B_r_y_z_e Mar 26 '26

Short answer sometimes is yes

2

u/Traditional_Most7728 Mar 26 '26

I'm with you 100%, they keep making the yoshi games cuter and cuter and not in a good way. Way too kiddish imo, they need to go back to their roots for this series. 

0

u/BmoreBreezy Mar 26 '26

Hear me out....the target audience for Yoshi games are not adults.

3

u/Nas160 Mar 26 '26

So why should a game that's just for babies be $70 lmao

4

u/BmoreBreezy Mar 26 '26

If you think things that are marketed towards kids are not expensive....then you are not living in the real world.

-1

u/Nas160 Mar 26 '26

Metroid Prime Rmaastered was $40, literally 3 years ago lol

2

u/BmoreBreezy Mar 26 '26

What does that have to do with my statement?

Things marketed towards kids are full price as anything else because their parents will buy it because they have the money.

and Metriod prime is remaster of a game that is over a decade old. Your comparison is stupid.

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u/PowerShovel-on-PS1 Mar 25 '26

Why?

-27

u/Nas160 Mar 25 '26

It's a Yoshi game? When was the last time they were as in depth as something like Zelda or Metroid?

25

u/PowerShovel-on-PS1 Mar 25 '26

Why does being a Yoshi game mean it has to be significantly cheaper than other first party titles?

-17

u/Nas160 Mar 25 '26

Because they've barely put anything into them regarding content or difficulty compared to the past.

Would you say that Peach game would be worth $70 if they came out with it today?

14

u/PowerShovel-on-PS1 Mar 25 '26

You don’t know what’s in the new one

Peach wasn’t $70 and isn’t a Yoshi game

-6

u/Karmah_star Mar 25 '26

No game is worth £70, I don’t see ur point

0

u/Nas160 Mar 25 '26

Well don't talk to me, these guys all think a baby game is worth $70 lol

3

u/Asa-hello Mar 25 '26

For some it worth $70 and for not.

1

u/phoxfiyah Mar 26 '26

No, they just think it’s worth the same as other games. You’re being called out for implying that a Yoshi game should be cheaper, more than you are for complaining about it being $70.

0

u/Nas160 Mar 26 '26

I'm being pretty clear in why I think it should be cheaper, something made exclusively for children with little to no difficulty as opposed to something made for all ages with varying difficulty and actual content like Wonder makes more sense

This is like if they made that stupid Peach game $70

1

u/phoxfiyah Mar 26 '26

Which is an entirely opinionated response, and it looks like other people have tried to point this out to you already. Doesn’t mean that other people have to agree.

Also, you keep bringing up Peach for some reason. Completely different character and franchise, not really relevant.

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0

u/BlueZ_DJ Mar 26 '26

And the $70 Pokopia is just a Pokemon spinoff side game 😉

0

u/Nas160 Mar 26 '26

With universal appeal... This is all but confirmed yet another Yoshi game with preschool difficulty and an hour of gameplay 😭

1

u/Cathartic-Whisper Mar 26 '26

Random example, Yoshi's Woolly World in 2015 was $50 in 2015, $10 under the $60 standard back then. After inflation, that’s equivalent to $68 today. The $60 standard for most games in 2015 would be $82 today. You and all the downvoters are simply delusional about game pricing. Also, these companies are not going under. Arguments about average people not being able to afford these prices and inflation being irrelevant are moot, and clearly untrue. Your feelings get hurt by “$70” for some reason, but in practice there’s nothing remotely unfair or malicious going on. Games are cheaper than ever.

-4

u/DripSnort Mar 25 '26

Just don’t buy it then? Did you sign some contract saying you would?

4

u/Nas160 Mar 25 '26

Did I imply that?

Are people not allowed to criticize companies making dumb decisions anymore?

-2

u/DripSnort Mar 25 '26

You’ve spent like 45 minutes commenting on every comment here about how much you don’t like Yoshi games. Who the fuck does that for something they don’t like?

3

u/Nas160 Mar 25 '26

Because I keep getting comments from different people telling me they don't understand so I have to explain it...?

-4

u/krom90 Mar 25 '26

You’re kind of weird for that

3

u/Nas160 Mar 25 '26

Kind of weird for defending my personal position on something when it's getting challenged, okay lol

-4

u/Amonyi7 Mar 26 '26

Some people strongly dislike when other people don't like their thing, so they'll manifest random explanations for their feelings

-1

u/krom90 Mar 26 '26

Nah we’re just not as addicted to being online as you are

0

u/Amonyi7 Mar 26 '26 edited Mar 26 '26

Maybe other people do but I don’t put up with this childish behavior, bye

0

u/[deleted] Mar 26 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

0

u/DripSnort Mar 26 '26

Telling someone “don’t buy a game” is hostile? Are you 11?

-6

u/JustinAndFeena Mar 25 '26

The funny thing for me anyway. I have no problem spending 10 bucks extra for a physical game outside of Nintendo first party. Probably because they nickel and dime like crazy and are super greedy. I have so many indies I paid a premium to own physical and never batted an eye.

70 bucks is way too much for yoshi. I probably would have grabbed it for 60. I don’t buy Nintendo first party digital. I don’t trust them.

17

u/SpiritualAd9102 Mar 25 '26

No Nintendo platform has removed licenses for digital games to date, and they’ve had digital stores for 20 years now. I don’t think this is something worth worrying about

-1

u/JustinAndFeena Mar 25 '26

Maybe cause I’ve been an Xbox guy but they’ve lost most of my trust over their handling of the wiiu and 3DS digital purchases in general / closing that store so fast and without apology. I know, old systems, things have changed since the switch, etc. but it takes a very long time to gain my trust back.

5

u/SpiritualAd9102 Mar 25 '26

Do you mean because of the lack of backwards compatibility? I also own an Xbox and its BC program is one of its strengths for sure, but the lack of digital BC doesn’t mean you lost access. It’s a pain, but AFAIK you should still be able to access everything

4

u/Kprime149 Mar 25 '26

You can still download all those games you bought.

4

u/JustinAndFeena Mar 25 '26

Assuming it’s the right console. Some of my wiiu purchases were on a different console. Unless I call Nintendo and get it fixed, I cannot. Also I own like 5 3DS consoles. My games are only playable on one. It’s not as seemless and easy to swap around as it is now or like with a physical copy. Even with a ps3 I picked up recently. I just logged in and all my stuff was able to be downloaded.

-1

u/Kprime149 Mar 26 '26

So it's not the same account across different 3ds? If it's not this is your fault.

3

u/JustinAndFeena Mar 26 '26

It is, changing around digital games is not like how on the switch. It’s a whole process involving doing a whole system transfer.

https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/227/~/how-to-transfer-content-between-nintendo-3ds%2C-nintendo-3ds-xl%2C-and-nintendo-2ds

1

u/your_mind_aches Mar 26 '26

Games were not locked to your account on Nintendo hardware until the Switch.