When we took over TechInform, I expected to write about new features, wild design swings, and fun tech surprises. Instead, I’ve found myself covering the slow-motion rollout of the most nickel-and-dime Nintendo generation yet — and the latest explanation for $80 game prices isn’t helping.
After weeks of fan frustration and fuzzy messaging, Nintendo finally spoke up about why its upcoming titles are launching at premium prices. But if you were hoping for a revelation, don’t hold your breath.
Nintendo’s Take: “We Price Based on Value”
IGN sat down with Bill Trinen, Nintendo of America’s VP of Product and Player Experience (and current spokesperson for every pricing controversy), and asked the question we’ve all been yelling into our screens: why does Mario Kart World cost $80?
His answer was… expected. It’s about the “experience,” the “scope,” and — his favorite word — the “value.” According to Trinen, Mario Kart World is so jam-packed with content, secrets, and sheer volume that it justifies the cost. He called it “probably the richest Mario Kart experience” they’ve ever made.
He gave the same defense for other titles too: Nintendo’s pricing isn’t arbitrary, he says — it’s customized per game, based on what each one offers. Sure. That sounds great until you look at the broader pattern.
This Isn’t Just About One Price — It’s a Pattern
Let’s be real: this isn’t about one title. It’s about a creeping trend — one that’s hard to ignore when every new piece of Switch 2 news seems to come with a new fee.
First it was the console itself, clocking in at $449.99. That alone sparked some fire, especially with rumors now swirling that the price could climb even higher. Thanks to newly enacted U.S. tariffs on Chinese electronics, I’ve seen experts estimate the Switch 2 could reach $499 or even $530 if those manufacturing costs get passed on. Here’s a full breakdown of the wider tariff situation if you want to see how it might hit the rest of the tech world too.
Then came the Welcome Tour fiasco. If you somehow missed that little gem, here’s the TL;DR: Nintendo is charging $10 for a literal tutorial. Not DLC. Not a bonus pack. Just a walk-through of how to use the Switch 2, disguised as a mini-game collection with avatars, info cards, and something called “Maracas Physics.”
It’s not bundled with the console. It’s not free. It’s ten extra dollars — just to learn how to use the thing you already paid nearly $500 for. I said it before and I’ll say it again: PlayStation gave us Astro’s Playroom for free, and it was good. This? This is insulting.
I Still Want One… But Nintendo’s Making It Hard
The wild part? I still want a Switch 2. I grew up with Nintendo. I love their games. I’ll probably love Mario Kart World. But this pricing rollout feels less like a celebration and more like a slow-motion shake-down.
I want to be excited about what this system can do — not constantly asking myself if I’m getting scammed. And that’s the problem: instead of talking innovation, we’re talking invoices.
Trevor Score: 6.5/10 — The games look fun, but the pricing is testing my patience
This isn’t a formal review — it’s just how I felt seeing all this unfold. A gut-check from someone who wants this to work, but can’t ignore the red flags. Nintendo is asking for a lot of trust and a lot of money — and right now, they’re not doing enough to earn either.
Final Verdict: Nintendo Talks “Value,” But Fans Need More Than Just Words
Yes, I appreciate that Nintendo finally gave us an answer. But it wasn’t a good one. Vague talk about value and content doesn’t erase the real issue: this launch is shaping up to be the most expensive — and most confusing — one they’ve ever done.
If Nintendo wants the Switch 2 to be more than just a cash grab with charm, they need to shift focus. Give us a reason to believe again — not just a reason to open our wallets wider.
Still waiting for that moment where Nintendo reminds us why we fell in love with them in the first place. Because it definitely wasn’t the $10 tutorial.
If you want to hear me rant about this some more, I recorded a full Members-only podcast diving into all the pricing drama — the $80 games, the $10 tutorial, and what it says about where Nintendo’s headed. 👇
Trevor Barnes
