Nintendo Sets Mario Kart World and Switch 2 Game Prices, Sparking New Industry Benchmark

Nintendo Sets New Pricing Standards for Mario Kart World and Upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 Games Nintendo has officially announced game prices for Mario Kart World and a lineup of highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 titles, signifying a notable shift in first-party software pricing.

With Mario Kart World slated for a global launch on June 5, 2025, the game's retail cost is set at USD79.99—marking the highest price ever for a core Nintendo release.

This move surpasses the previous peak set by The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, which debuted in 2023 at USD69.99. This unprecedented pricing shift comes as Nintendo prepares to roll out its next-generation hardware, the Nintendo Switch 2.

The new platform will see several flagship games launching either at or above the USD69.99 threshold, a development that is likely to influence industry-wide pricing strategies. A Nintendo spokesperson emphasized that the new pricing reflects the "significant development investment and expanded content offered by these titles on the Nintendo Switch 2 platform." This aligns with the trend of increasing development costs across the games industry, as higher fidelity and expanded experiences become standard. Below are verified retail prices and release dates for Nintendo’s first-party Nintendo Switch 2 titles for both the US and Japanese markets as of press time: US Market (Physical/Digital Release): - Mario Kart World: USD79.99 – June 5, 2025 - Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour: USD9.99 – June 5, 2025 - Donkey Kong Bananza: USD69.99 – July 17, 2025 - Drag x Drive: Pricing to be announced – Summer 2025 - Kirby Air Riders: Pricing to be announced – 2025 Nintendo Switch 2 Editions (Physical/Digital Release): - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Nintendo Switch 2 Edition: USD69.99, USD9.99 (upgrade pack) – June 5, 2025 - The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Nintendo Switch 2 Edition: USD79.99, USD9.99 (upgrade pack) – June 5, 2025 - Super Mario Party Jamboree Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV: USD79.99, USD19.99 (upgrade pack) – July 24, 2025 - Kirby and the Forgotten Land Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World: USD79.99, USD19.99 (upgrade pack) – August 28, 2025 - Pokemon Legends Z-A Nintendo Switch 2 Edition: Pricing to be announced – Fall 2025 - Metroid Prime 4 Beyond Nintendo Switch 2 Edition: Pricing to be announced – 2025 Japanese Market Pricing: - Mario Kart World: 8,980 yen (digital), 9,980 yen (physical) - Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour: 990 yen (digital) - Donkey Kong Bananza: 7,980 yen (digital), 8,980 yen (physical) - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Nintendo Switch 2 Edition: 8,678 yen (physical/digital), 1,000 yen (upgrade pack) - The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Nintendo Switch 2 Edition: 8,900 yen (digital), 8,920 yen (physical), 1,000 yen (upgrade pack) - Super Mario Party Jamboree Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV: 9,100 yen (digital), 9,128 yen (physical), 2,000 yen (upgrade pack) - Kirby and the Forgotten Land Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World: 8,500 yen (digital), 8,578 yen (physical), 2,000 yen (upgrade pack) Nintendo confirmed that pricing may be subject to change, particularly for physical games in the US following recent tariff announcements, with updates to follow pending regulatory adjustments. The launch of Mario Kart World and these Switch 2 exclusives herald a new chapter in Nintendo’s software strategy, reflecting both the growing scope of its game experiences and wider trends in next-generation game pricing.

The industry will be watching closely as these titles roll out and set new standards for both cost and value on the Nintendo Switch 2 platform.

Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart Nintendo Switch Mario Kart World Nintendo Mario Switch 2 Switch US Xbox Series X|S Kart The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Super Mario Party Jamboree Donkey Kong Bananza Drag x Drive Kirby Air Riders Kirby and the Forgotten Land Pokemon Legends Z-A Metroid Prime 4 Beyond