Nintendo Explains Why Switch Is $300
When Nintendo revealed the Switch last week, a key talking point was about the price: $300. While it was very fair, there was a question from fans of the last two console generations as to why it was $300, but didn’t come bundled with a game.
If you recall, the Wii had Wii Sports, and the Wii U had Nintendoland. Both games were perfect representations of what the consoles could do. During the presentation, we got he announcement of a game called 1, 2, Switch, which seemed to be the game that would be bundled with the Nintendo Switch, but that didn’t happen. Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime explained to GameSpot why this was, and why the console was still $300 without it:
“The first decision that we make”, he explained, “is where do we want to be in terms of the hardware price point that’s going to be approachable and hit the marketplace we want? And from a US price point, we wanted to be at $299 […] So we start there. And then it’s all about, what’s going to be included? Obviously the inclusion of the two Joy-Con, critically important; all the right cables, the dock, critically important. We also have to do this from a financial perspective as well. Once we got to that bundle, it really needed to be at $299 without a piece of software […] and let the consumer decide what games they want to buy.”
While this may be a sound strategy in some concerns, it’s still going to be a talking point up until the Nintendo Switch launch on March 3rd.
Ammyfan
January 17, 2017 @ 8:52 am
I don't actually mind, because I'd rather spend money purely on the console than have to buy a game I might not like. The game stores are all going to do their various bundles with it anyway, so that way I can choose which one I want, or just buy the console.
My current pre-order is the console, pro controller, and Zelda, which I can upgrade when the bundle deals come out. I think a lot of people are going for that option.
derf
January 17, 2017 @ 12:12 pm
I think that it is worth the money in one sense although I do have some issues. I understand that it is worth $300 because it is a new console. Also because of not only the functions and features of the switch console but also the brand recognition of Nintendo. Though the console is not a powerhouse to say compared to consoles such as Xbox One or PS4. Another note is that the switch console does not have a lot of games and things to do like what a Xbox One or PS4 has. These are some of my reasons as to why I understand why the Nintendo switch console is worth $300 and also why I have issues with that.
TheKnight
January 17, 2017 @ 1:10 pm
Wow. I was going to purchase the Wii U until I saw this. I didn't know about it until now and I don't really care about the cost since other consoles cost a lot more even if you subtract the price of the bundle and this console looks extraordinary compared to them too.
efrain silva
January 18, 2017 @ 7:24 am
I suppose that this is a decent effort, out of many, on the part of Nintendo. They are simply trying to pick up some more funds by any means possible. They really need it, considering their adversaries' success: Microsoft and Sony. Nintendo definitely needs to pick up the slack. They seem to be a small island just fending for themselves against their competitors.
AlexZ
January 18, 2017 @ 7:45 am
the price is too high for me