Nintendo explains why Mario Kart World is $80

Why do some Switch 2 games cost $80? In Nintendo's own words: value.

2

Nintendo's new Switch 2 software and hardware prices are delivering sticker shock.to consumers; the system was priced at $450 in the US, but could go higher because of tariffs, and software has a new MSRP of $80 on the platform. Nintendo is pricing its own premiere launch first-party Switch 2 game, Mario Kart World, at $80 in a bid to push adoption of this new cost.

$80 is a lot, but it is Mario Kart, and Nintendo has sweetened the pot to get people to buy. Mario Kart World is pretty sizable in scope and content with its interconnected world and new Grand Theft Auto-like free roam mode, mimicking the kind of broader gameplay mechanics, modes, and features you'd typically see in expansions or DLC-driven updates. It feels like Nintendo decided to pack in any sort of future expansion content upfront and charge extra in the process. (Note: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has sold over 67 million copies across the last 8 years at a $59.99 MSRP).

In a recent interview with IGN, Nintendo's Bill Trinen gave a response on Mario Kart World's $80 price tag:

"I would say it's less about the strategy of pricing Mario Kart World, it's more just whenever we look at a given game, we just look at what is the experience, and what's the content, and what's the value?

"Mario Kart World, I think especially as you see from the Nintendo Direct, not to give you any hints or anything, but I did read your article this morning and I think you had mentioned that you didn't find a lot to discover when roaming around. So I would say tune into our Mario Kart Direct to see what, maybe you'll be able to find out about that.

"But honestly, this is a game that is so big and so vast and you will find so many little things in it to discover. And there's still some other secrets remaining that I think as people end up buying and playing the game, they're going to find this to be probably the richest Mario Kart experience they've ever had."

It was also confirmed that Zelda Tears of the Kingdom would be getting a Switch 2 Version re-release that costs $80.