Opinion: Nintendo could release Switch for $199 right now

Eggplante: It's entirely conceivable that Nintendo could release a $199 Switch console. Here's how they could do it.

[eastx]

I think $300 is reasonable for what they're offering. $250 would've been the sweet spot, though.

[ifinitygamer]

For what they're offering, it's a totally sweet deal. An iPad mini goes for $399 right now. I mean, sure, it's got a bigger, higher-resolution screen, but not nearly as much power, no controllers, no dock or HDMI out, and no ZELDA! Just imagine getting rid of the accessories. This console could SOAR.

[Vegamyster]

I don't think they need to get rid of the accessories, just price them more reasonably, $90 for a 2nd charging dock ect is nuts.

[bouzebbal]

you are comparing wheels and oranges, they are both round, and that's about it. tablet vs switch is a clueless comparison.
Switch problem is exactly the same as wii u's. I am sure it will offer some GREAT GREAT games, but i more than doubt 3rd party support will be good. It is getting Steep, Rayman legends port and some other ubisoft port. at Wii U reveal they announced COD, at least.
I don't see what switch is doing better than wii u, i really don't

[bf000777966]

how funny, the switch'es name implies that it can be switched between console and handheld. without the dock, it is just an unswitchable switch.

[ifinitygamer]

@Vegamyster This isn't about pricing them more reasonably, it's about showing that without the pack-ins, the console could be much more inexpensive.

@bouzebbal The comparison was made with the statement that the Switch is reasonably priced as some people think it is too expensive. However, comparing strictly for technology's sake, not from a competition standpoint, they can be compared because they have similar components.

@Shin-Zantetsuken There was zero mention in the article about competing with iPad. The point is to show the technology price comparison. Of course they're competing with other home consoles, but you can't compare price as easily with an Xbox or PlayStation the way you can with another device that has similar specs, a touchscreen, built-in battery, etc. No mention about competition was made - it was simply for component price comparison.

About your point that Xbox One and PS4 are cheaper and offer more games, you've got the latter covered, sure. Sure, the Xbox One and PS4 have more power, but also has had the benefit of price reductions due to economies of scale. You can't compare a console 3+ years old to one that is coming out in a couple of months. Same deal with a launch game not being bundled - neither Xbox One nor PS4 had one bundled - and for something like the LAN adapter, the vast majority of people will not need one as WiFi is so prevalent. Nintendo is also not about scale and specs ruling all. The company makes games that are just plain fun. There are tons of fun games on other consoles, too, of course, but with Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Kirby, Smash, Pokémon, and other franchises like that, Nintendo has staying power, too.

For the sake of argument, I'm a fanboy of both Nintendo and Microsoft, and I like my PS4, too, though I wouldn't say I'm a Sony fanboy. But your arguments are a little baseless when you consider that you don't HAVE to spend $600 on a Switch. You can easily buy a Switch with a game for under $360 and have everything you need. At launch, the PS4 was $400 for the console, a game would set you back $60, so you're at $460. That's actually a pretty big difference.

[Utalkin2me]

300 would be sweet if it had a game packed in as Nintendo always normally does.

[ifinitygamer]

They did that with their previous two consoles, but it never happened with NES, SNES, N64, or GameCube, or any of their portables at launch.

[Utalkin2me]

@ifinitygamer

The nes most certainly came with Super Mario Bros. Snes came with Super Mario World.

So as i stated again and rudely interrupted by someone that doesn't know what they are talking about. Nintendo should pack a game like "they normally do"

[Utalkin2me]

Youre going to PM like a little kid cause i proved you wrong. Then you block....roflmao...Site gets better by the day.

[Derceto]

I think you need to hold more value in the money you give your time to work for.

[eastx]

That's a silly thing to say.

[sirultimos]

I guess that depends how much they're making off of what's in the box. The added accessories could very well be cheap to make, but included to justify the price they would have to charge anyway to cover the manufacturing costs of the console and the Joycons.

[Pogoplay]

I agree with you on a lot of points. However, consumers would be missing out of that USB-C adapter. I know the Nintendo 3DS didn't ship with you, but it causes a lot of headaches for the consumer once they purchase it for a friend/family member and it doesn't include one. I exhibited this over the holiday season.

[CluelessB0B]

the article clearl says it could sell Switch with the console,USB charger,and Joy Con.

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

Gutting the dock is not the solution.
Selling at a loss for a while by simply dropping the price to $250 or lower anyways, fixing the online by adding in a chat app and giving us permanent access to more games as subscribers, and dropping the stupid idea of paywalling the online multiplayer.
THAT is what would get the system moving.
Heck, even just the first bit alone would do it.

[objdadon]

This is actually a good idea.

[Elda]

Not happening no time soon.

[chris235]

'member the debacle with the 3ds? released it with a pricetag that was reeeeally out of touch with the gaming world. and they had to do this stunt where they lowered the pricetag significantly shortly after release. they even threw a bunch of crappy games at the user as a kind of excuse to be an early adopter. i was one of them. and i predict the same with the switch. not 6 months after release they will have to lower the pricetag to 200 because gamers are stupid, but not THAT stupid.

[XXanderXX]

why would they and why should they especially if it means taking a loss and caving to a bunch of entitled people who think they know better than Nintendo. I say Nintendo stand their ground and go with what's already in motion .

[DC777]

The joy-cons are the new Wii U gamepad. Their new tech they will try and push that will keep Switch expensive.

[ifinitygamer]

It's pretty old tech. The camera is kind of funky and too much, IMO, but they're just Wii Remotes if you think about it. The NFC reader tech for amiibo isn't new, either. Price shouldn't be too affected by them as they've produced hundreds of millions of basically the same thing so far.

[JBlaze226]

$299 is reasonable but should have came with a pack in game like the 1,2 game because no way that should be the same price as legend of Zelda or bomber man now that's another good pack in title

[ifinitygamer]

AGREED! Unless 1-2-Switch has some insane gameplay and depth that they haven't shown off yet (don't hold your breath), it looks like a pack-in, or maybe a $20-$30 party game. Same with Mario Kart. It's bad enough that it isn't coming out at launch, but you're charging people a full $60 for the same game they bought a couple of years ago because you've added in Battle Mode? I LOVE battle mode, but that's too much. $30-$40 would be much more reasonable.

[JBlaze226]

But that's the thing that's 1-2 switch is a party game as much fun it will bring. Mario kart is the full game all the DLC and the added game mode but agree should have been 50, but it's a main stream MARIO game, it will never drop down past 30 which sucks

[Utalkin2me]

@infinitygamer

Seems you didnt agree in the article when i made the exact same comment and i proved you wrong, you said Nintendo only pack games in on 2 consoles. Then you send me a message after i proved you wrong. Then block cause you didnt want to get proved wrong again....SMH