Pricing and product strategy update from Nintendo
The base Nintendo Switch model debuted in 2017 with a suggested retail price of 299 euros, and six years later that price remains unchanged. The company has shown no intention of altering this policy, even as overall console sales have cooled. Company leadership reaffirmed to shareholders that current pricing will be preserved going forward. In discussion with delegates, the president noted that a weak yen and rising production costs mean a careful, continued observation of the market is essential.
The executive team also pointed to ongoing volatility in the hardware supply chain. Access to components has been uneven in recent years, a factor that complicates the path to normalization in production costs for the Switch. While no firm decision has been made, the possibility of a price adjustment in the future remains on the table, though it was not presented as imminent in the remarks analyzed.
New pricing for video games
During the same session, questions arose about whether the 70 euro price tag for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom signaled a shift in the company’s software pricing policy. Nintendo representatives reiterated a stance that pricing is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the unique characteristics and scope of each project. This approach aligns with their broader commentary in recent months.
The president explained that rising development costs reflect more ambitious game designs and the need to support online services, among other enhancements. Those factors will influence how Nintendo thinks about game pricing moving forward, with a deliberate, project-specific evaluation rather than a blanket policy.
Target for console sales
Looking at the fiscal trajectory, Nintendo’s board acknowledged a dip in Switch sales in their latest financial report but set an ambitious goal to move at least 15 million units by year-end. The document also notes that no hardware successors to the current model are planned before April 2024, and there is little expectation of major announcements before that window closes. Officially, the company intends to reveal hardware and software in a way that reaches a wide range of consumers at the moment each product is ready for release.
As for 2023, Nintendo’s plans remain somewhat fluid. The company celebrated the launch of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, which became Europe’s fastest-selling Nintendo title and surpassed 10 million copies sold worldwide in its first three days. Beyond this hit, there is casual mention of Pikmin 4 scheduled for release next July, while the second half of the year is less clearly mapped out. Rumors of long-anticipated titles such as Metroid Prime 4 or major Pokémon releases do not carry firm release timing, contributing to a cautiously optimistic but uncertain outlook for the holiday season.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Launch
In reviewing launch dynamics for major first-party releases, Nintendo highlighted a strong performance for Tears of the Kingdom, underscoring the enduring appeal of flagship properties. The company emphasized careful planning around future software lineups and the importance of matching production capacity with consumer demand across its global markets.