Nintendo has announced its next console, the Nintendo Switch 2. More than a mere upgrade from its predecessor, the new handheld console marks the next generation of Nintendo gaming. The new system supports up to 60fps in 4k resolution while docked, and an impressive 120fps in 1080p. Its new HD LCD display supports HDR and VRR, and a built-in chat system--that looks fairly similar to Discord, in terms of UI--resolves a long-standing gripe against Nintendo. In addition to these changes, the unit itself showcases markedly improved craftsmanship with its larger display, built-in microphone, heftier kickstand, and more intuitive Joy-Cons. The only downfall? Its price tag.
The Nintendo Switch 2 currently costs $450, and that's assuming the Trump Administration's upcoming tariffs don't cause that number to grow even larger. A quick Google, Reddit, BlueSky, or X search will reveal that internet users aren't too happy about the cost, with many citing the Switch 2's steep game prices and the current state of the economy as major factors in their frustrations.
However, some were quick to point out that, when adjusted for inflation, this $450 price point isn't out of the ordinary. So is the Nintendo Switch 2 egregiously pricey, or are we just forgetting how expensive consoles can be?
Before we dig in, though, let's acknowledge how solely comparing console inflation doesn't tell a complete story. For example, it doesn't take into consideration factors such as software prices or the cost of a console's various accessories and peripherals. It also doesn't account for how disproportionately expensive life has gotten.
Though the Super Nintendo Entertainment System's original price back in 1991 would equate to roughly $530 USD today, the average home cost half of what it does today--even when adjusted for inflation. It's also important to consider that the federal minimum wage in America still sits at $7.25 when, if properly adjusted for inflation, it should be closer to $17. When housing alone costs double and what we're earning is substantially less valuable, what we do ...
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