By Harrison, 13, Meg, 13 and Lia, 11.

Earlier this year, Nintendo released the sequel to the Switch, the most popular selling game console of all time, the Switch 2.  

It’s priced at £430, whereas the original Switch is £260, double the price. Switch 2-exclusive games are also more expensive. For example, games like Donkey Kong Banaza and Mario Kart World are nearly £70. There is also a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to think about, which is a monthly subscription service on top of buying the console.  

As the Switch 2 gradually starts to replace the original console, will £70 games become the norm? And is this too expensive for people to buy?  

“It would put me off buying one,” says Lia, 11. “If I buy the console, then I wouldn’t be able to get any of the games.” 

Buying games on the Nintendo Switch E-Shop means you don’t need to buy a physical copy of the game. You can also buy games from independent creators, like Stardew Valley, which is one of the best-selling independent video games of all time. These games are usually more affordable, but it can be risky as you might not know what you’re buying.  

Harrison, 13, and his friend Thomas, 13, had been discussing the price of the Switch 2 games. Neither own a console yet, but would like to own one eventually. 

“The new Switch 2 games better not be £70,” explains Harrison. “The Switch E-Shop will verify any games, and they can be any price. The only good games are by independent developers or by Nintendo themselves.” 

“It’s going to get to the point where the games will cost more than the consoles,” agrees Thomas.  

The Nintendo Switch has always had a reputation as a family-friendly games console, in comparison to its competitors, the Xbox and PlayStation. Think Splatoon, a game where you essentially are playing paintball, compared to more violent games like Call of Duty.  

“I think family friendly games should be cheaper,” says Lia. “Non family friendly games can be more graphic, which would make them more expensive to make. Family friendly games are more cartoony.” 

Getting a Switch for the family to share could be a way to make it more cost effective.  

“My dad has all the other Nintendo consoles, since he’s a collector he also got this one,” says Meg, 13. “He uses it a lot, and so do I, so I think it’s been worth it. But it is expensive.” 

This story was written by young people as part of the Headliners Young Journalist programme. This project was made possible by the Million Hours Fund.

Image sourced from Unsplash.