Some Nintendo Switch 2 games have higher suggested prices than others. In the U.S. at launch, Nintendo listed Mario Kart World at $79.99 and Donkey Kong Bananza at $69.99. Those are announced MSRPs, not guaranteed checkout prices: retailers set their own prices, and the amount can vary by title, store, region and date.
How much do Nintendo Switch 2 games cost?
Nintendo of America’s 2025 U.S. launch announcement listed these suggested retail prices (MSRPs) for two Nintendo-published games:
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Mario Kart™ World (Nintendo Switch 2) | $79.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Star Fox™ - Nintendo Switch 2 | $59.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Donkey Kong Bananza (Nintendo Switch 2) | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Pokémon Pokopia - Nintendo Switch 2 | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| Game | U.S. launch MSRP | Physical and digital at launch |
|---|---|---|
| Mario Kart World | $79.99 | Same listed price |
| Donkey Kong Bananza | $69.99 | Same listed price |
The same announcement listed the Switch 2 system at $449.99 and a system bundle with Mario Kart World at $499.99. These were U.S. suggested prices announced in 2025, not current prices guaranteed by Nintendo or retailers. See Nintendo’s U.S. launch pricing announcement.
Are physical Switch 2 games more expensive than digital?
It depends on the title, region and when its price was announced. For the two U.S. launch games above, Nintendo listed physical and digital versions at the same price. Japan’s 2025 pricing for Mario Kart World differed by format: ¥8,980 digitally and ¥9,980 physically. That Japanese example is not a worldwide pricing rule. Nintendo Co., Ltd. announced those figures in its Japan release announcement.
#1 Best Overall
- Race from one course to another through interconnected paths that span the world
- Traverse mountains, forests, cities, and more—with shifting weather patterns and a day/night cycle
- Ride on rails, jump off walls, skim across water, and more as you race for the finish line
- Take on the adrenaline-packed Knockout Tour—a fierce 24-driver elimination mode
- Explore courses at your own pace and wander the world to discover fun surprises in Free Roam
Nintendo’s policy also changed for a defined category beginning in May 2026: new Nintendo-published digital games exclusive to Switch 2 will have an MSRP different from their physical versions, starting with preorders for Yoshi and the Mysterious Book. The policy does not establish that every Switch 2 game, every publisher’s game, or previously announced games will have different format prices. Nintendo says the formats provide the same game experience and that the difference reflects production and distribution costs. Read Nintendo’s Switch 2 game pricing explanation.
Why are some Switch 2 games more expensive?
Nintendo’s published pricing information establishes the prices and, for the May 2026 format policy, gives production and distribution costs as the reason physical and digital MSRPs differ. It does not give a general explanation for why one game’s MSRP is higher than another’s. The $79.99 and $69.99 launch prices show a difference between two named titles, but they do not prove that all Switch 2 games cost more than Switch games or quantify a general increase.
Rank #2
- Blast off on a high-octane adventure to save a star system from invasion
- Tear through space, soar across planets, and shoot loads of foes out of the sky at every step of the way
- A cinematic take on the Star Fox 64 story, featuring fully voiced dialogue, an epic orchestral soundtrack, and a complete visual overhaul for the Nintendo Switch 2 system
- Enter first-person mode to experience the action from inside the cockpit, and even use mouse controls to fly
- Invite a second player* to join you as a gunner using Nintendo Switch 2 mouse controls
How to compare the price you will actually pay
- Match the title and format. Compare the same game in physical or digital form; do not treat a regional price or a different game as an equivalent comparison.
- Check your region and the date. Nintendo’s announced MSRP is a reference point, not a promise that a store currently charges that amount.
- Compare retailer listings. Nintendo says retail partners set their own prices for physical and digital games, and prices may vary by title. Check the retailer’s live listing, including format, taxes and any delivery charges, before buying.
- Separate bundles from standalone prices. A bundle’s value depends on its contents and terms, so compare it with buying the system and game separately at the prices available to you.
What the 2026 U.S. game bundle includes
Nintendo announced a limited-time U.S. “Choose Your Game Bundle” in May 2026 for $499.99. It pairs a Switch 2 system with a digital game code for Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza or Pokémon Pokopia. Nintendo described the offer as up to $29.99 in value compared with buying the system and game separately at MSRP. The offer’s dates and availability vary by participating retailer; see Nintendo’s bundle announcement for its terms.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Shape the world and build a cozy new life with Pokémon as a Ditto transformed to look like a human.
- Use other Pokémon’s moves, like Bulbasaur’s Leafage, to revitalize and navigate the world around you.
- Meet and befriend more Pokémon as you help nature flourish.
- Gather materials to create items and furniture, till the fields to grow delicious crops, build homes for the Pokémon you meet, and more—there’s so much to do!
- Experience a world with varied weather, real-time days and nights, and other surprises.
Rank #3
- Explore a vast underground world—by smashing your way through it!
- A brand-new 3D platforming action adventure starring Donkey Kong and Pauline
- Bash through just about anything in groundbreaking exploration! Crash through walls and carve tunnels—the more you smash, the more areas open up to you
- Pair up with Pauline to use Bananza Transformations: smash through obstacles with the raw strength of Kong form, gallop with incredible speed as a Zebra, and more
- Team up with a friend in two-player co-op as Donkey Kong and Pauline! Blast foes and terrain alike with Pauline’s voice as you explore together
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
