Amid the buzz surrounding theNintendo Switch 2, Nintendo has officially confirmed the pricing for the upgradedZeldaversions on the new console. BothBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdomwill receive enhanced Switch 2 editions later this year, and players have been eager to learn the cost of these upgrades. A recent interview sheds light on the price of these enhanced versions.
IGNrecently spoke with Bill Trinen, Nintendo of America’s Vice President of Product and Player Experience, to discuss the upcoming Switch 2. During the conversation, the topic turned to Nintendo’s pricing strategy. When asked about the price of the Switch 2 editions and upgrades, Trinen confirmed the price of theZeldaSwitch 2 upgrades:
“For somebody who has boughtTears of the Kingdomand Breath of the Wild,the upgrade packs for those are $9.99. And if you happen to be a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack member, both of the Zelda upgrade packs are inclusive within that membership. So there is no additional charge for those.”
The $9.99 price point for Zelda’s Switch 2 upgrades is not terrible compared to all you get with the upgrade. However, it is yet unknown whether all upgrades will adhere to this price point or fluctuate depending on what you get.
The Price Of Other Switch 2 Upgrades Is Still Unconfirmed
Will They Cost A Lot More?
While the price for theZeldaSwitch 2 upgrades is now confirmed,that is the only price currently available. Nintendo has yet to announce the cost of the upgraded Switch 2 version ofSuper Mario Party Jamboree, which will feature a completely new way to play, new modes, and visual enhancements. Additionally, the prices for upgraded Switch 2 versions ofMetroid Prime 4: Beyond,Kirby and the Forgotten Land, andPokémon Legends: Z-Aare still unconfirmed.
That said, theZelda: BOTWandTOTKupgradeprice of $9.99 seems like a reasonable starting point for Switch 2 upgrades. For this price, players will receive visual enhancements for both games, along with improved load times, HDR support, and theZeldagames' odd new achievements. While this price is likely to apply to upgrades with similar improvements,larger upgrades likeSuper Mario Party Jamboree, which introduces an entirely new way to play, may cost a bit more.
Nintendo Is Going The PlayStation Route Of Next-Gen Upgrades
Staying Alive In The Handheld Scene
Nintendo’s approach to next-gen upgrades mirrors the strategy used by Sony for upgrading PlayStation games. It seems Nintendo has drawn significant inspiration from how Sony handled its current-gen console.The Nintendo Switch 2 will be backward compatible with nearly all Nintendo Switch games, similar to the PlayStation 5 with PS4 titles. Additionally, some next-gen upgrades for the Switch 2 will come with an additional cost, following the model PlayStation uses for upgraded and extended versions of games.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violetare among games gettingfree Switch 2 upgrades.
Of course, Nintendo is likely to adopt this strategy to compete with thenew handheld methods of gamingthat PlayStation and Xbox are reportedly employing. With Nintendo Switch 2, there is a lot more competition in the handheld scene than there was in 2017 with the original Switch launch. Popular PC portables like Steam Deck have proven to be popular among players.
Then there is the PlayStation Portal, which lets players stream from their PS5. Meanwhile, Microsoft is using its cloud service to turn many devices into an Xbox through game streaming. Regardless,Nintendo Switch 2’sZeldaupgrades show an interesting yet unsurprising strategy as Nintendo transistions to new hardware.
