During the Q&A portion of Nintendo’s 85th Annual General Shareholders Meeting, a question was asked about whether the higher price of the Nintendo Switch 2, compared with classic systems like the Famicom, might limit children’s access to the console.

President Shuntaro Furukawa replied that the new system’s price tag reflects the quality of experiences it can deliver. Nintendo, he said, packed the Switch 2 with “a variety of features” to ensure players feel the cost is justified once they experience its software and hybrid play options.

Furukawa acknowledged that the price is indeed above that of Nintendo’s older hardware. To keep younger audiences engaged, Nintendo is expanding its characters and worlds beyond consoles through mobile apps, theme‑park attractions, animated films, and merchandise. These lower‑cost entry points let children connect with Nintendo IP early, with the hope that they will later choose to play on Switch 2 when the price hurdle feels more manageable.

Finally, the company remains “mindful of how much of a barrier the console’s price might be” as it evaluates future promotions and family‑oriented initiatives.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch on July 3, 2025, in Malaysia, and players can get the base model at RM2,488, while a bundle version with Mario Kart World will be available for RM2,688.

For the complete transcript of Nintendo’s shareholder Q&A, including other questions on movie projects, supply shortages, and accessibility, you can check it here.