Switch 2’s First-Party Game Pricing Could Set a Risky Trend for GTA 6 Pricing

After endless anticipation, the Nintendo Direct on April 2 was a big one for fans, finally dropping some details we’ve all been craving. The much-talked-about Nintendo Switch 2 now has an official price tag, details on its hardware, and even a sneak peek at some launch titles like “Mario Kart World.” There’s been a buzz for months around how much this new console might set you back, especially with whispers that prices for both the console and its games would climb notably higher than their predecessors. A price hike seemed inevitable, sparking more talk that big titles in the pipeline—think “Grand Theft Auto 6″—might also come with steeper costs.

The reveal put the Nintendo Switch 2’s cost at $449.00. That’s a decent leap from the original Switch, which launched with a price of $299.99. If you’re buying the Switch 2 right out of the gate, it’ll come with the essentials: a dock, Joy-Cons, straps, and all necessary cables like HDMI and USB-C. For those eyeing a bundle deal, there’s an option that includes a digital copy of “Mario Kart World” alongside the base console package for $499.00.

Jumping ahead to June 5, “Mario Kart World” makes its grand debut as a launch title alongside the Switch 2—and not without a hefty price tag of its own. Snagging a digital copy will set you back $80, while die-hard fans who prefer a physical copy are looking at a $90 price point. The prices for other anticipated Switch 2 games like “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” and “Tears of the Kingdom” haven’t been confirmed just yet, but it’s expected that they’ll follow suit with similarly high prices. This marks quite a leap compared to standard Switch games in 2025, which typically cost around $59.99.

Shifting gears to “Grand Theft Auto 6,” this juggernaut of a game is no stranger to the rumor mill regarding its price. Being crafted by Rockstar Games, this sequel to 2013’s blockbuster “Grand Theft Auto 5” is expected to hit shelves in the latter part of 2025. It was previously guesstimated that the game might launch at $80, which seemed reasonable for a massive open-world game from an industry heavyweight. However, given that “Mario Kart World” is priced at $80 digitally, expectations for “Grand Theft Auto 6” might need an adjustment—potentially upwards.

The possibility of seeing “Grand Theft Auto 6” debut at $90 or even higher isn’t off the table. Such a pricing move would be pretty much unprecedented for a day-one release minus any collector’s items. Earlier this year, a supposed leak suggested that pre-orders might start at $112, a price point that financial analyst Michael Pachter told VideoGamesChronicle could be feasible when you consider the game’s scope and its buzz.

Yet, not every game for the Nintendo Switch 2 will necessarily mirror Mario Kart World’s steep pricing. Take “Donkey Kong Bananza,” for example—announced at the tail-end of the April 2 event, this game is tagged at a comparatively modest $69.99. This suggests that while big names like Mario and Grand Theft Auto might indeed carry heftier price tags, not all games will follow suit. For now, we’ll have to wait for the official word on “Grand Theft Auto 6’s” price, though a lofty number wouldn’t come as a shock.