The Nintendo Switch will be available from tomorrow. It’s priced at $299.99 in the United States and varies with region across the world. It’s a better deal in some territories than others, depending on currency values and exchange rates.
“Hidden costs”
Prior to Nintendo’s official announcement, analysts had expected the Switch to retail somewhere between $250 and $280, making it competitive with Microsoft’s Xbox One and Sony’s PlayStation 4. At $300, the Switch is significantly more expensive than the $260 PlayStation and $240 Xbox, especially once the hidden “extra” costs have been factored in.
To get the most from the Switch, you’ll need a decent size microSD card, the optional $70 Switch Pro Controller and probably another set of $80 Joy-Con controllers for use in multiplayer gaming.
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With games themselves retailing at $60, you can expect to spend a minimum of $400 on a new Switch setup. In a detailed look at the console’s pricing, gaming news site Polygon suggested it could be closer to $560 for a serious player interested in multiplayer titles.
Convincing consumers
At this price, the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 could be more compelling. Although Nintendo fans won’t be swayed, a casual gamer looking for a new system may be more likely to end up purchasing from Microsoft or Sony. This could be crucial as a major target audience for the Switch is occasional gamers and family groups previously captivated by the Nintendo Wii
Nintendo needs the Switch to be an instant success, reversing its years of decline after losing out entirely with its last-generation console, the Wii U. The console can be docked to a TV or used as a portable device with detachable joysticks. This flexibility allows it to be used in any location, unlike the physically fixed PS4 and Xbox One.
“Hybrid” gaming
However, analysts have questioned whether the critical general consumer audience will understand the “hybrid” concept, noting it could be dismissed as too complicated or an unnecessary fad. “There is a possibility that this proposed new game playing experience will not immediately be understood,” Bloomberg reports Mizuho Financial Group analyst Takeshi Koyama said this week.
Questions also remain around the Switch’s battery life when used in portable mode. Nintendo claims it’ll last anywhere between 2.5 and 6 hours depending on the game being played. If performance proves to be lacking, sales could suffer if people interested in mobile gaming look elsewhere.
Launching tomorrow
The Switch is undoubtedly a unique take on console gaming that’s already proving popular with Nintendo fans. The company’s struggles mean its success will be measured entirely on sales though, making it essential the launch goes smoothly.
With a price that’s significantly higher than its rivals, a potentially confusing core feature and unproven battery life, the device has plenty of potential weaknesses stacked against it. However, it’s also backed by the trusted value of Nintendo’s immensely popular gaming franchises and exudes the compelling accessibility that made the DS and Wii overnight hits. The console will arrive in the hands of gamers tomorrow, giving it the greatest test of all.
