Considering what it offers, Disney Plus is one of the best streaming services on the block. From classic Disney animated films to the latest Marvel shows and Star Wars movies, excellent kids' programming like Bluey, and so much more, Disney Plus puts an incredible range of high-quality viewing options at your fingertips. And with so much to check out, including season 2 of Andor on April 22, you'll want to find a plan that best suits you. We're here to help.
At the moment, one of the best Disney Plus bundle deals available is the massive Disney Plus, Hulu, and Max streaming bundle. This starts at $16.99/month to get you all three streaming services with ads. It's one of the best bundles available at the moment, but we've included more Disney Plus bundle deals worth exploring below. If you're looking for more streaming deals from other services, check out the best Hulu deals and bundles and the best Max deals.
How to Get the Disney Plus, Hulu, and Max Streaming Bundle
The Disney Plus, Hulu, and Max streaming bundle can be purchased through any of the three streaming services and starts at $16.99/month for the ad-supported tier or $29.99/month for ad-free access across the three platforms.
If you currently own all three and want to cut down on costs, this is a great way to bundle them together and save big on what you'd pay for them separately per month – 43% on the ad-supported plan and 42% on the ad-free plan.
What Is the New Paid Sharing Plan on Disney Plus?
In an effort to crack down on password sharing, Disney has unveiled a paid sharing plan for individuals outside of your household. Basically, anyone using your account that's not within your household will have to be added as an "Extra Member" to your account. This costs an additional $6.99/month for the ad-supported Basic subscription and $9.99/month for the Premium ad-free plan, and only one Extra Member slot is available per account. You can learn more from Disney's paid sharing explainer here.
What Are the Different Disney+ Subscription Tiers?
Disney+ is available in a couple of different tiers. You can get the least expensive option (called Disney+ Basic) for $9.99/month, which gives you access to everything except the ability to download select shows to watch on the go. This tier is ad supported. If you want to get rid of ads and be able to download certain shows, you can spring for the $15.99/month or $159.99/year Disney+ Premium package.
What Are the Different Disney+ Bundles?
Want a way to save on your Disney+ membership? Bundles are a great, affordable way to go. As far as bundles go, there are two ad-supported bundles and two ad-free bundles. Here's the breakdown:
Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic is $10.99/month and comes with subscriptions to Disney+ and Hulu. This plan lets you stream on multiple devices at once and comes with ad-supported versions of both services.
Disney+, Hulu Bundle Premium is $19.99/month and comes with Hulu and Disney+ with no ads. It also includes Disney+ Premium features like the ability to download shows to watch on the go.
Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle Basic adds ESPN+ (With Ads) to the mix alongside Disney+ (With Ads) and Hulu (With Ads), bumping up the price to $16.99/month. You can also download and watch select content on ESPN+ at this level.
Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle Premium is $26.99/month and comes with ESPN+ (With Ads) and ad-free versions of Disney+ and Hulu. You can also download select content across all three streaming services.
Disney+ Gift Cards
If you want to help someone out and give them a gift that will keep on giving, gifting a one-year Disney+ card is a great way to go. It provides all the great things Disney+ offers and it costs a fraction of what it would take to buy even a small sampling of those movies physically.
What Can You Watch on Disney+?
There is a bonkers array of shows and movies you can watch on Disney+. Let's start at the top and simply talk about the verticals on offer here with the base subscription.
Here's what you get:
Disney
Pixar
Marvel
Star Wars
National Geographic
Disney on Disney+
On the Disney front, you have awesome classic movies like The Sword In The Stone, Robin Hood, 101 Dalmations, Hercules, and Sleeping Beauty, modern classics like The Princess & The Frog, Tangled, and Frozen, and a wide range of animated shows, including Phineas & Ferb.
You also gain access to a ton of vintage content like Escape to Witch Mountain, The Apple Dumpling Gang, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes, The Love Bug, and a whole lot more. The Disney Junior section is home to absolutely top tier animated shows like Bluey (which, for my money, is worth the price of admission on its own).
There's way more on offer, too, including a ton of Muppet movies, new live-action films and adaptions, nature programs, documentaries, Pirates of the Caribbean, and musical programs featuring Taylor Swift (like her wildly popular The Eras Tour), Elton John, Ed Sheeran, and more.
Pixar on Disney+
When it comes to computer generated films, Pixar stands alone. Kicking off the revolution with Toy Story, Pixar has consistently put out fantastic films, and they are all here. From the Toy Story series to Finding Nemo, Cars, and more recent hits like Inside Out 2, there is a ton to love.
Beyond even that, there are incredible shorts like Bao and Party Central, as well as a wide range of originals and series based on major films, such as Dory's Reef Cam, Forky Asks A Question, Cars On The Road, and more.
Marvel on Disney+
The MCU has become a true juggernaut, and there are many viewers who subscribe to Disney+ purely for access to nearly the entire MCU lineup of films and shows.
Whether you are a fan of the blockbuster action films, you are an appreciator of the classic 90s runs of "Saturday morning" cartoons like X-Men, or you are currently vibing to the funky theme of the 1981 Spider-Man series, there is a ton of Marvel to enjoy on Disney+. And with new movies and shows being added to the MCU all the time, including most recently Deadpool & Wolverine and Your Friendly Neigborhood Spider-Man, there is always more coming.
Star Wars on Disney+
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, there was a film that changed everything. The original Star Wars is a seminal sci-fi fantasy work that inspired generations of creators, but there is still nothing quite like that far away galaxy. Disney+ grants access to all things Star Wars, including the remastered versions of the original trilogy (hopefully some day they'll add the theatrical cuts, too), as well as the prequels and sequels.
You can also stay up-to-date on all the latest shows, including The Mandalorian and the critically-lauded Andor, which some viewers say is "the best Star Wars has ever been." There are also fantastic short series like Star Wars Visions, and longer-form series like The Clone Wars, The Bad Batch, Young Jedi Adventures, and a whole lot more.
No matter which platform you prefer, there's an excellent variety of video game deals to check out right now. Whether you're gaming on PS5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or PC, we've rounded up the best offers to help you get more for your money, including the excellent new PS5 Slim and Astro Bot bundle. And while not a deal, we've also included where you can preorder Elden Ring Nightreign, in case you're itching to return to The Lands Between. Best Buy's also offering a free $10 gift card with your purchase on that one -- what can be better than that?
PS5 Slim + Astro Bot Bundle
The PS5 Slim and Astro Bot bundle is one of the best PlayStation deals available at the moment. You can choose between the PS5 Slim Disc Edition console or the Digital Edition, which will set you back $449.99 and $399.99, respectively.
Astro Bot is a really enjoyable addition to a PlayStation library, too. IGN's Simon Cardy said in his review that it's, "A collection of endlessly inventive levels and fantastically fun abilities, it delivers joy in spades, never once becoming even remotely dull or repetitive."
Preorder Elden Ring Nightreign
FromSoftware isn't done with Elden Ring yet. Elden Ring Nightreign is now available to preorder, and as a nice little treat Best Buy's also offering a free $10 gift card with your purchase. By preordering any version of the game you'll also get the “It’s Raining” gesture, which you can show off with your co-op buddies on your adventure in The Lands Between.
Best PC Game Deals
There are some excellent PC game deals available right now. Fanatical's had quite a few of our favorites, including a discount on pre-orders for DOOM: The Dark Ages, a deal on the newly-released The Last of Us Part II Remastered for PC players, and a discount on Atomfall, which is absolutely worth your time and money to pick up. You can see more of our favorite game deals right now below.
A new month means new PC games in the Humble Choice lineup and April has a great variety available. Some of the games featured in the lineup include Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered, Aliens Dark Descent, and Dredge. There are 8 in total that you can keep forever for $11.99 when you become a member. Here are all of the games included in this month's lineup:
Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered
Dredge
Aliens Dark Descent
1000xRESIST
Nova Lands
Diplomacy is Not an Option
Distant Worlds 2
Nomad Survival
Best Physical Video Game Deals
If you're looking to save on physical games right now, there are plenty of deals worth checking out across PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. We've included just a few of our favorites above, but if you'd like to see more game deals for each platform, check out our individual roundups for these consoles: the best PlayStation deals, the best Xbox deals, and the best Nintendo Switch deals.
Best PlayStation VR 2 Deals
The PSVR2 Horizon: Call of the Mountain bundle has gotten a price drop down to $399.99, $200 off its original list price of$599.99. This package is a great value for everything you're getting (the PSVR2 headset and controllers alongside the Horizon Call of The Mountain game), and pushes the PSVR2 as a strong contender against budget-friendly VR options like the Meta Quest, delivering a premium virtual reality experience without the eye-watering cost.
Sony also recently gave the PSVR2 a new lease of life by adding PC VR support, allowing owners of the second-generation headset to play PC VR games like Half-Life: Alyx, provided they have the new Sony-made adapter.
Best Xbox Accessory Deals
Outside of games, there are plenty of Xbox accessory deals that are worth your time and money as well. At the moment, some of our favorites are on the HyperX CloudX Flight Wireless Gaming Headset, which has gotten a 40% discount at Woot, and if you're looking for more storage, the WD Black C50 1TB Expansion Card is 18% off right now at Amazon.
Best PS5 SSD Deals
PS5 games continue to grow in size, and with SSD prices climbing, finding the right storage at a great price is more important than ever. We've listed our favorite deals just here, but you should ensure you're checking back here for more updates as often as possible, as new SSD deals pop up all the time.
Keep in mind that not all SSDs are compatible with the PS5. To ensure optimal performance on the best PS5 SSD, you'll need a PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 drive with a minimum read speed of 5,500MB/s to match the console's internal storage.
Best Gaming PC Deals
Do you prefer to play on a dedicated PC tower? Navigating the options online can be quite the ordeal. Desk space, portability, and price point are often factors in the decision. However, there are some great PC deals that pop up every now and again that are worth jumping on. One of our favorite deals at the moment is on the Alienware Area-51 RTX 5080 PC for $4,649.99. To see even more PC deals, check out our roundup of the best gaming PC deals.
More PC Deals:
Robert Anderson is a deals expert and Commerce Editor for IGN. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter.
Today’s deals are all about keeping your game library full and your storage problems in check. We’ve got serious discounts on recent releases like College Football 25 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, a clearance price on Advance Wars 1+2, and rare price drops on official storage for Xbox and PlayStation consoles. Humble’s Spring Shonen manga bundle is also still going strong, and if you like high-stakes demon battles and beautifully absurd haircuts, you’re going to want in on that.
Gaming And Manga Deals for Today
I think what makes today’s lineup so solid is how much value you’re getting without compromising on quality. These are recent titles and brand-name accessories — not knockoffs or old stock. Catch up on campaigns, back up your growing digital backlog, or read your way through Kodansha’s finest chaos backwards, there’s something here that earns the cart space.
College Football 25 Standard Edition - Xbox Series X
I still can’t believe this is real: College Football 25 is down to $9.99. This is a full, post-launch version with everything intact — no catch, no subscription. It features all 134 FBS schools, dynamic gameplay, and that sweet, chaotic pageantry you only get from college ball. If you’ve been on the fence, or just waiting for a reason to grab it, this is it.
Seagate - Game Drive for PlayStation Consoles 2TB External USB 3.2 Gen 1 Portable Hard Drive
This is one of the few storage options that plays nicely with both PS4 and PS5. I like that it’s officially licensed, so there’s no guessing game about compatibility, and the added LED lighting gives it a nice visual boost. You can’t run PS5 games directly off it, but you can stash them for later — and PS4 titles run without issue. It’s not a flashy deal, but it’s a smart one.
Humble Spring Shonen Special By Kodansha
I’m a sucker for a complete series bundle, and this one delivers. You’re getting full runs of Shaman King, Fire Force, Noragami, and others — no missing volumes, no waiting for new chapters. Nearly 100 volumes for $30 is an absurd value, and since it’s digital, you won’t have to explain to anyone why your bookshelf now belongs entirely to anime dads and sword-wielding teenagers.
Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp - Nintendo Switch
This remake stayed full price for a long time, so seeing it under $45 feels like a minor miracle. You’re getting two full campaigns, a sleek visual update, and plenty of multiplayer maps to test your tactical brain. It’s great handheld, great docked, and dangerously easy to lose an entire weekend to.
Atomfall Merchandise
The IGN Store’s Atomfall merch drop is decent, going for edgy designs rather than playing it safe. I’m not usually a “video game hoodie” person, but the designs here are low-key cool. The BARD zip-ups and minimalist logo shirts look more like indie streetwear than branded promo gear. If you’re already excited about Atomfall, or just want something with a little post-apocalyptic style, this lineup’s worth scrolling through. That P word mug is fantastic.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Standard Edition - PlayStation 5
This one brings the Cold War spy game drama back in full force, with a cinematic campaign, classic round-based Zombies, and a huge multiplayer loadout. It’s one of the first real markdowns we’ve seen since launch, and I think $49.99 feels like the sweet spot for what you’re getting. If you missed it at release, this is a good excuse to jump in now.
Seagate - 1TB Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S Internal NVMe SSD - Black
Xbox storage doesn’t go on sale often, so this is one of those “buy it now or regret it later” situations. It’s the official Seagate expansion card, which means you just plug it in and keep playing — no formatting, no weird workarounds. I’ve run out of space enough times to know that paying a little less for this now beats uninstalling Halo again later.
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet - Prismatic Evolutions Booster Bundle
This one’s a bit of a reality check. The actual MSRP for six of these packs is around $27, so Amazon is being bold by doubling that and calling it a deal. Still, given how hard Prismatic Evolutions is to find at retail without hunting down individual packs like a Pokédex-obsessed raccoon, this is sadly one of the better options right now. I wouldn’t call it a bargain, but if you’re just itching to crack open some fresh packs without resorting to third-party sellers, it gets the job done.
Pokemon TCG: Stacking Tin (Q1 2025)
This is one of the few Pokémon TCG products still hovering close to MSRP, which basically qualifies it as a miracle in 2025. You get three solid booster packs, some stickers to slap on your laptop or emotional baggage, and a stackable tin that may or may not match the others in your accidental collection. It’s not flashy, but it’s a solid option if you just want some new packs to rip without playing the “Is this seller legit?” game.
Humble Choice April 2025
This month’s Humble Choice doesn’t feel like a clearance rack, and that’s saying something. Tomb Raider is doing the nostalgia thing in the best way, and Dredge is that weird horror-fishing crossover I didn’t know I needed. Aliens: Dark Descent rounds it out if you like your sci-fi chaotic and stressful. Honestly, I’d pay the $12 just for those three — and still walk away feeling smug.
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet - Paldean Fates Booster Bundle
This bundle is a case of “available at a premium or not at all.” MSRP should be closer to $27, but good luck finding that price in the wild. The return of Shiny Pokémon is the big hook here, and that’s probably what’s driving the markup. I think it’s steep, but if you’ve been chasing the set and want to avoid eBay roulette, this is probably your safest play.
PureArts Assassin's Creed Preorders
This is the kind of collectible that makes you pause and consider rearranging your entire shelf, your priorities, and your bank account. Some of these statues are genuinely beautiful. Others are so expensive they make me nervous just looking at them. But if you’ve got deep franchise loyalty and shallow impulse control, this is your moment.
Pokemon TCG: Scarlet and Violet Shrouded Fable Elite Trainer Box
Elite Trainer Boxes are rarely good dollar-per-pack deals, and this one’s no exception. But what you’re really paying for is the full kit: sleeves, promo card, storage box, and a mildly delusional sense of organization. I actually like this set for collectors who want more than just cards. It feels like a full-on project, and for $55, it’s one of the few Pokémon bundles that still comes close to feeling like it's worth the money.
INIU Portable Charger, Slimmest 10000mAh 5V/3A Power Bank
This is the one I’d keep in my bag daily. It’s half an inch thick and can charge an iPhone 8 about 3.6 times or a Galaxy S22 almost twice. The USB-C port handles both input and output (a rarity at this price), and the dual USB-A ports mean you can charge multiple devices without carrying five bricks. It’s cheap, sleek, and has a literal paw print on it. Adorable and useful? Yes, please.
INIU Power Bank, 20000mAh 65W USB C Laptop Portable Charger
I think this is the sweet spot if you bounce between devices. You get three outputs, including one that’ll fast-charge a MacBook Pro 14" or your Steam Deck while you’re multitasking. There’s even a pop-out phone stand built in. It’s like if your power bank also respected your time and your binge-watching habits. At under $40, it feels like a steal.
Great On The Go Humble Sale
I picked up Death’s Door for five bucks and didn’t even hesitate. The Humble Store’s latest sale is packed with portable-friendly gems, perfect for a Steam Deck or travel laptop situation. Highlights include Dead Cells: Road to the Sea Bundle for $16.49 (50% off), Detroit: Become Human for just $11.99, and Dying Light Definitive Edition at $14.99. If your backlog needs more chaos, this is how you feed it on a budget.
INIU Portable Charger, 22.5W 20000mAh
This is my pick for weekend trips or carry-on duty. It’s got solid charging speed, a clean LED display that shows exactly how much juice is left, and enough capacity to last through a few full phone charges. It even handles smaller accessories like AirPods or smartwatches without flinching, which is more than I can say for some people.
Metaphor ReFantazio - Gallica - Statue
This Gallica statue is up for preorder at $129.99, and yes, I want it just for the wings. It's 8.9 inches tall with glossy clear parts and Magla particles swirling on the base. The sculpt is absurdly detailed, which probably explains why I’ve already mentally cleared shelf space despite the fact it doesn't ship until November 2025. Patience is hard, but preorder now, panic later.
INIU Power Bank, 25000mAh 100W USB C Laptop Portable Charger
If I’m packing a laptop, a tablet, a phone, and something else probably unnecessary but still USB-powered, this is what I’m bringing. It hits 100W output, recharges itself fast via USB-C, and can handle charging multiple high-power devices at once. It’s a bit of a tank, but in the way you want when you're relying on it to keep everything alive.
INIU Portable Charger, Smallest 22.5W 10000mAh Power Bank
If I had to pick a favorite just for everyday carry, it might be this one. It’s compact, fast, and charges three devices at once. I love the built-in phone stand, especially for killing time in waiting rooms or pretending I’m not watching TikTok in public. For $20, it’s a little charger that does a lot.
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet - Surging Sparks Booster Bundle
I don’t need six booster packs, but these are usually in and out of stock. This Surging Sparks Booster Bundle has some fantastic chase cards, we're talking $400+ chase cards that could be in this Booster Bundle. It’s under $50, which in Pokémon terms is basically a clearance sticker. I'm not saying it'll change your life, but it might improve your afternoon.
Insignia - 55" Class F30 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV
This is the TV I’d buy if I wanted something that works without having to pretend I care about specs. It turns on, the picture’s 4K, it has Alexa so I don’t have to get off the couch, and it costs less than my last grocery run. Honestly, that’s more than enough.
Outright Games Game On! Bundle
I don’t usually gravitate toward games based on cartoons, but this bundle is stacked if you’ve got kids or just want a break from games that scream at you. Bluey, PAW Patrol, My Little Pony — the whole crew’s here, and honestly, they’re better made than half the AAA titles I’ve rage-quit. Pay $20 or more, get a pile of games, and support charity. Seems like a win for everyone except your free time.
Insignia - 65" Class F50 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV
I like this one because it feels unnecessarily large in the best way. You get Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and it still costs less than a concert ticket and a hoodie. If you want to make movie night feel intentional without spending your life savings, this does the job.
Death Stranding 2 - DHV Magellan - Model Kit
I want this on my shelf mostly so people ask what it is and I can pretend I understand Death Stranding 2. It’s a 1/350 scale model of a massive mobile base from a game that hasn’t even released yet, and I respect the level of commitment required to care this much. It’s $69.99, which is fair for something this weirdly specific and detailed — and yes, the railgun is included.
LG - 65” Class UT70 Series LED 4K UHD Smart webOS TV (2024)
This is the kind of TV I’d get if I wanted it to last longer than my attention span. It’s a 2024 model, has LG’s updated processor, and handles all the streaming stuff without having to download three extra apps just to log in. Feels like someone at LG actually thought it through.
I think this is what happens when Samsung realizes not everyone wants to spend $650 to track their steps. The titanium build is overkill in a good way, and the battery life means I don’t have to charge it every time I blink. It finally dropped to a price where it makes sense to buy one without feeling like I’m auditioning for a tech influencer role.
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Journey Together Elite Trainer Box
i’ve been watching the Journey Together Elite Trainer Box like a hawk, and somehow it’s actually in stock at Amazon for $70.31. That’s 30% off apparantly, but it's not at all. It includes nine booster packs, a full-art N’s Zorua promo, sleeves, and the usual accessories, Most people just want the packs and the promo. If it’s gone when you check, keep trying. I’ve seen stock randomly reappear in the mornings and lunch time, just like Target's Journey Together stock.
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Paldean Fates Booster Bundle
Then there’s the Paldean Fates Booster Bundle at $69.77. Six packs inside, and the draw here is the return of shiny Pokémon. I like that it cuts straight to the good stuff — no sleeves, no dice, no cardboard fluff, just a clean bundle of packs ready to be cracked open. If you’re chasing shinies, this is where the hunt begins.
Best of Boomer Shooters 4: Badda Bing Badda Boom
Humble Bundle’s “Best of Boomer Shooters 4” is live right now, and I love how chaotic it is. For $16, you get $174 worth of retro-inspired FPS games like Turbo Overkill and Forgive Me Father 2. I think of it as therapy, just with more blood and less talking about my feelings. You also support some good causes, so now your nostalgia trip is technically altruism. You're welcome.
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet Shrouded Fable Elite Trainer Box
Shrouded Fable ETB is holding steady at $54.96, and I think it’s slept on. It has nine packs, a Pecharunt foil, some sharp sleeves, and a player’s guide that you’ll absolutely ignore until you pull something weird and have to look it up. This set's all about the Legendary trio—Okidogi, Munkidori, and Fezandipiti—and if you’re into building themed decks or hoarding off-meta cards, this one hits.
Street Fighter TCG Alpha Warriors Dreams Preorder
Finally, if your card obsession extends beyond Pikachu, the Street Fighter Alpha: Warriors’ Dreams trading cards are now up for pre-order on the IGN Store, starting at $20. I already pre-ordered a box because the idea of serial-numbered Chun-Li cards is somehow more exciting to me than it should be. Rare pulls, killer art, and a chance to relive the 90s one Hadouken at a time — I’m in.
Pokémon TCG: Paradox Clash tin: Iron Leaves ex or Walking Wake ex
I picked up one of the Paradox Clash tins just for fun and honestly, no regrets. For $39.96, you get five booster packs and either a Walking Wake EX or Iron Leaves EX promo, chosen completely at random. It’s a bit of a gamble, but opening tins is half the fun anyway. The promos are clean, the packaging is slick, and I think it makes a solid gift for anyone getting into the game
Pokémon TCG: 3 Booster Packs & 1 Random Foil
For a cheaper fix, I’d go for the $12.25 blister pack with three random boosters and a foil promo. It’s 39% off, which is honestly kind of wild, and it’s one of those no-risk purchases you can talk yourself into without too much guilt. The listing shows Silver Tempest Boosters, so there's a good chance of pulling some Sword and Shield chase cards here.
This one’s for the people who want it all: QLED, anti-reflection, studio-calibrated modes, and picture quality so good I paused a show just to stare at a lamp. I think my eyes are spoiled now.
Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of "Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior". Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.
Nintendo has taken the unprecedented decision to delay Switch 2 pre-orders in the U.S., blaming the impact of Trump’s tariffs and “evolving market conditions.”
Pre-orders were set to go live in the U.S. on April 9. Nintendo did not share an updated kick-off date, but did promise that the June 5, 2025 release date of the Switch 2 itself remains intact.
Nintendo issued IGN the following statement:
Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not start April 9, 2025 in order to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions. Nintendo will update timing at a later date. The launch date of June 5, 2025 is unchanged.
Nintendo has confirmed the pre-order delay is specific to the U.S. In the UK, for example, Nintendo's pre-order delay remains unchanged.
“I don’t want to blow things out of proportion, but this does feel like a true crisis moment for Nintendo,” Ellis said.
U.S. markets tumbled today after China hit back against Donald Trump's raft of tariffs. China, which faces a 54% import tax, has retaliated with an additional 34% tax on U.S. goods from next week.
Moments before the U.S. markets opened, Trump said "China played it wrong, they panicked," and insisted his policies would "never change."
The world is now left facing economic uncertainty, with some mainstream news media declaring the era of cheap goods now over for the American consumer as higher tariffs are automatically passed through to inflation and higher prices.
Tariffs are essentially taxes placed on the cost of importing certain goods. While it's possible for companies in the supply chain to simply eat these costs, more often than not these taxes are passed onto consumers. And unfortunately for gamers, rising prices are very likely to impact tech and gaming goods.
Niko Partners analyst Daniel Ahmad had warned that Trump's surprise tariffs on countries such as Vietnam, where Nintendo had shifted some of its Switch 2 manufacturing in anticipation of U.S. tariffs on China, might have caused a rethink.
"While the company has shifted some of its manufacturing to Vietnam to offset U.S. tariffs on China, the looming threat of reciprocal tariffs prior to the Switch 2 showcase will have also forced Nintendo to consider a higher price for the rest of the world," Ahmad said. "The reciprocal tariffs on Vietnam and Japan have come in higher than expected, and Nintendo will feel the impact of this if the tariffs go into full effect."
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
FromSoftware has shared some more info about its recently announced Switch 2 exclusive, The Duskbloods. The partnership with Nintendo seemed to affect not just the style of game FromSoft is making, but even the design of the keeper of The Duskbloods' hub area into something different — something... cute.
The trailer shown during the Switch 2 Direct this week closed on a shot of a winged rat character, with glowing glyphs drawn all over it, looking at the camera. Curious fans might have wondered what this rat's deal was. As it turns out, this is our new hub companion.
"That character shares a similar role with the fire keepers from the Dark Souls series. They remain in the hub area, providing the player with advice and guidance," director Hidetaka Miyazaki said in an interview with Nintendo.
"I suppose you could say we tried doing something a little Nintendo-esque in the spirit of the partnership."
When asked what Miyazaki means by that, he added: "We tried something cute for a change. Although I will say this character is actually an elderly gentleman (laughter)."
FromSoftware's shrine keepers have been central figures for player's journeys through their worlds. Familiar faces like Melina, the Maiden in Black, the Doll, and others are characters you return to over and over on your trip, often offering power to help you move forward.
With a PvPvE game like The Duskbloods, though, it remains to be seen what kind of advice and guidance the winged rat will offer. Miyazaki said the team at FromSoft has tried its hands at introducing "a lot of new and interesting ideas," so expect the unexpected when it hits Nintendo Switch 2 sometime in 2026.
Quite a few of these cards have already started to sell out, but there's a shining light at the end of the tunnel coming from GameStop. The retailer has created its own line of microSD Express cards that are available to preorder and come in varying capacities, from 256GB ($49.99) to 512GB ($84.99) to 1TB ($149.99). These are set to release on June 5, the same day as the console. You can preorder these cards below, but to stay up to date on more cards as they come back in stock keep our hub page for microSD Express cards bookmarked.
The microSD Express cards have been disappearing fast from online retailers, so if you've been hoping to secure a storage upgrade ahead of the Switch 2's release you'll want to be quick to get your preorders in. If you're unsure if you'll need the extra space, it's worth noting that the Switch 2 is set to come with 256GB of internal storage, which is quite a bit more than the original Switch's 32GB. If you have an ever-expanding library of Switch games, it's always worth it to pick up some extra storage.
Outside of the additional storage, if you're curious when preorders will pop up for the console itself, make sure to mark your calendar for April 9. It's worth keeping our Switch 2 preorder guide bookmarked as well so you can stay up to date on when it drops and where it's available to purchase on the day. We've also put together a list full of tips to help increase your chances of getting a Switch 2. The countdown has begun, and we're here to help you secure a Switch 2 on day one.
Hannah Hoolihan is a freelancer who writes with the guides and commerce teams here at IGN.
One of the biggest surprises of the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct this week was its exclusive FromSoftware reveal, The Duskbloods. It's a PvPvE game developed by the Soulsborne studio, but director Hidetaka Miyazaki said this doesn't mean the company has shifted direction moving forward.
In a new interview with Nintendo, Miyazaki spoke about the decision to make The Duskbloods a PvPvE game. The director said he's "always found" the structure interesting, as it allows for a broad range of game-design ideas while also letting FromSoftware leverage its experience in designing challenging enemy encounters.
"As a side note, please allow me to address one thing," Miyazaki said. "As we previously mentioned, this is an online multiplayer title at its core, but this doesn't mean that we as a company have decided to shift to a more multiplayer-focused direction with titles going forward."
He continued: "The Nintendo Switch 2 version of Elden Ring was also announced, and we still intend to actively develop single-player focused games such as this that embrace our more traditional style."
Since the release of Elden Ring in February 2022, FromSoftware has certainly experimented a bit. Its DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, tried out some interesting new power scaling methods in the form of Scadutree Blessings. There's also Elden Ring: Nightreign, an upcoming co-op survival action game that blends the usual Souls style with an encroaching storm, loot, and character archetypes. The studio even went back to its mecha days with Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon.
So with The Duskbloods, FromSoftware is trying something a little different again. In the interview, Miyazaki said the company's outline for The Duskbloods was "still very bare-bones" when the team presented it to Nintendo — "more a loose string of ideas than a proper presentation," and the concept was "different from anything [FromSoftware] had done before."
Nintendo was interested in making it happen though, and while a small team started the project for the original Switch, Nintendo approached FromSoft with the idea of moving to the Switch 2 instead. "The new hardware's focus on online features allowed us to stay as true to the original vision as possible, which was very good news for us," Miyazaki said.
So while The Duskbloods might be a little different from the usual FromSoftware game, it sounds like the studio isn't completely leaving the "traditional" style you'd expect behind. Put differently: let FromSoft cook on this one.
It turns out our favorite Hell's Kitchen villain Wilson Fisk is off limits for the big screen — according to Daredevil: Born Again star Vincent D’Onofrio himself.
"The only thing I know is not positive," D’Onofrio explained to Josh Horowitz on the podcast Happy Sad Confused recently. "It's a very hard thing to do, for Marvel to use my character. It's a very hard thing to do, because of ownership and stuff."
He continued: “I’m only usable for television shows. Not even a one-off Wilson Fisk movie. It’s all caught up in rights and stuff. I don’t know when that would work out — or if it ever would work out at all.”
That appears to rule out D’Onofrio's take on Fisk making an appearance in any Marvel Cinematic Universe movie, thus also ruling D’Onofrio out of appearing in the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday (I guess we won't be seeing D’Onofrio's name on a director's chair in the future). Could this also throw a spanner in the works for any potential Charlie Cox Daredevil movie, where you'd reasonably expect D’Onofrio to appear as a villain?
D’Onofrio first appeared as Fisk, New York City’s most powerful crimelord and future mayor also known as Kingpin, in Marvel’s Daredevil. The 2015 Netflix original had three seasons and ended with just shy of 40 episodes in 2018. D’Onofrio’s portrayal has been praised up and down by fans and critics alike over the years, so it should come as no surprise that he puts a lot of thought into how he wants Fisk to be perceived — especially when it comes to the influences he pulls from.
“Anytime they were in a fight, or they were holding a gun, they looked nervous,” D’Onofrio explained to IGN last month about the everyman performances of the likes of Harrison Ford and other older greats that inspired his own multifaceted villain.
“They carried their own humility into the action scenes with them. And I always thought that that was the way to go. That made it look real to me. Gary Cooper in Sergeant York, when he takes aim, when he becomes the sniper, it's the humility in his eyes that you see. It's amazing. I think that helps action stuff a lot. We're all very conscious of that.”
Season 1 of Daredevil: Born Again is currently airing week-to-week on Disney+ and will premiere its finale on April 15, 2025.
Lex Briscuso is a film and television critic and a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on Twitter at @nikonamerica.
The expensive price tag on its new games is one of the drawbacks of the Nintendo Switch 2, of which preorders have already been going live early (Amazon included). Luckily, ShopTo is taking the sting off for UK customers by allowing you to get Donkey Kong Bananza for only £63.50.
While this is still more than the £58.99 RRP for digital copies, it's the best price possible right now for those who want to actually own their games, and hold them in their hands like a newborn bab. This handy bargain comes as the result of using ShopTo's "SPRING" coupon code, which allows you and other future Nintendo Switch 2 players to knock 5% off various games, consoles, gift cards, and more across your order on the website.
Once you use the code at checkout, £3.35 will be taken off so you'll only have to pay £63.50 instead of £66.85. There is a catch, however. While you can preorder Donkey Kong Bananza to pay at dispatch normally, you'll only be allowed to use the discount code if you pay right away.
So, if you currently don't have the funds and weren't planning to pay until DK Bananza's 17th of July 2025 release date, this preorder deal sadly won't be ideal for you.
That said, if you manage to free up some cash, you can use the "SPRING" discount code also works for Mario Kart World, which is also for sale at ShopTo. Currently at £74.85, you can get £3.34 knocked off so you'll only have to pay £71.10.
We know that the Nintendo Switch 2 bundled with a code for Mario Kart World is a great deal, essentially getting you a digital version of the game for around half the price, but any discounts on the game from retailers is also great for you physical collectors out there.
The discount also works for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller over at ShopTo, but is currently sold out at the time of writing.
Nevertheless, we'll be keeping an eye on it incase the retailer happens to add any more stock, so you can take advantage while the coupon's still active.
Ben Williams – IGN freelance contributor with over 10 years of experience covering gaming, tech, film, TV, and anime. Follow him on Twitter/X @BenLevelTen.
Amid the ongoing backlash to Nintendo’s shock pricing for the Switch 2 and Mario Kart World, two former Nintendo PR managers have described the situation as “a true crisis moment for Nintendo.”
Ellis and Yang were particularly critical of the way Nintendo revealed the price of the Switch 2 and its games. They pointed to the lack of a price in the Direct itself as a "deliberate" omission that caused confusion and misinformation as fans scrambled to find out pricing confirmation elsewhere.
The Switch 2 and Mario Kart World pricing was “intentionally omitted from the Direct for a reason,” Yang claimed, “but handled poorly in terms of the information being in all these different places and you’re expecting the fans or the consumer to piece it all together.”
Ellis added: “It just shows some disrespect to the consumer, where, ‘oh, you just saw the Direct you’re so excited, you’re just gonna throw your money at us blindly, you’re not going to even ask the question of how much it cost because you’re so excited, aren’t you?’ "
“It’s a little bit degrading almost to the intelligence of the consumer,” Yang said.
The former NOA communications staff then went on to discuss Nintendo’s failure to address the pricing concern, either with a public statement or in interviews with the press. This, they said, was causing rampant speculation to fill the void with misinformation.
“They are enabling the story to get out of hand, out of control,” Yang said. “They have lost control of this,” Ellis added.
Nintendo’s communications team will now be recommending the company release an official statement, Yang said, but the approval process will be painful, with many people involved before it even gets to current Nintendo boss Shuntaro Furukawa.
Nintendo will also be out of practice because it hasn’t spoken to its community or press in such a long time, the pair said, nor has it had to deal with this sort of negativity since the Nintendo 3DS price debacle of 2011.
Now there is concern for staff manning demo stations at the public-facing Switch 2 hands-on sessions. Fans will have reasonable questions at these public events and might put those to staff who are manning demo stations. If they respond with any sort of answer, that could end up online and framed as Nintendo’s official response.
What happens next? It remains to be seen, but neither Ellis nor Yang expect a price drop of either the Switch 2 or its games before launch.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
inZOI has sold 1 million copies in a week, developer and publisher Krafton has announced. That’s the fastest sales milestone ever for a game published by the South Korean megacorp.
Krafton’s The Sims competitor launched on PC via Steam in Early Access form on March 28 and quickly hit the headlines after players discovered they could run over and kill children. Krafton responded to say it had patched out what it called an "unintended bug."
Despite this hiccup, inZOI has a ‘very positive’ user review rating on Steam, and saw a peak of 175,000 concurrent viewers on Twitch, ranking third in the Games category. It rose to number one on Steam’s Global Top Sellers List (by sales revenue) just 40 minutes after release.
Meanwhile, Canvas, inZOI’s in-game user-generated content (UGC) sharing platform, saw over 1.2 million “participants” on launch day, and over 470,000 pieces of content uploaded.
IGN’s inZOI Early Access review returned a 6/10. We said: “inZOI is a visually striking life simulator with plenty of ambition, but not enough depth as of its Early Access launch.”
Clearly, inZOI is doing the business for Krafton, which highlighted its work promoting the game ahead of launch and its communication with the community as helping to build trust and momentum for release. The inZOI global showcase and demo build “particularly attracted high interest,” Krafton added.
CEO CH Kim commented: “We are grateful and excited to present inZOI to players around the world through Early Access. We will continue to actively communicate with players and foster inZOI as Krafton’s long-term franchise IP.”
As for what’s next, Krafton said future updates will introduce new content, including mod support and new cities, with all updates and DLC provided for free until full release.
In a recent note to players, Krafton said it will “quickly” apply fixes for reported issues through hotfixes during April amid complaints from some players about the state of the game. The scale of inZOI’s global community is “a next-level experience for us,” Krafton said, before admitting it’s “going through some trial and error in finding the optimal means of communication.”
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
Another big difference is that the Switch 2 requires microSD Express cards for up to 2 TB of extra storage, meaning the microSDXC cards the current Switch models support cannot transfer over to the new console.
But, based on the file sizes revealed on the Japanese store, that 256 GB of internal storage should keep most players going for a while.
The biggest file size here is, as you’d expect, Mario Kart World, but at 23.4 GB it only takes up around 10% of the Switch 2’s total internal storage.
Mario Kart World is relatively slim compared to the beefy Cyberpunk 2077, which weighs in at 64 GB on Nintendo Switch 2. That's a chunky 25% of the Switch 2’s internal storage.
For context, one of the biggest games on the original Switch, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, was just 16 GB.
It’s worth noting that the GameCube app’s size is expected to grow as new games are added to the library. At launch, the GameCube app contains The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, F-Zero GX, and SoulCalibur 2.
So, how is the Nintendo Switch 2 able to get away with relatively small game sizes while offering up to 4K resolution?
In January, the internet spotted a Nintendo patent, filed July 2023 but published for the first time earlier this year, that described AI image upscaling technology that would help keep video game download sizes small enough to fit on a physical game cartridge while offering up to 4K textures. It was thought at the time that this applied to the Nintendo Switch 2, and could relate to Nvidia DLSS graphics technology.
Nvidia DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) is an AI-powered technology that uses machine learning to upscale lower-resolution images in real-time, enhancing both performance and image quality in games.
Nvidia described it as a “custom Nvidia processor featuring an Nvidia GPU with dedicated RT Cores and Tensor Cores for stunning visuals and AI-driven enhancements.”
Those upgrades include up to 4K gaming in TV mode and up to 120 FPS at 1080p in handheld mode. Nintendo Switch 2 also supports HDR, and AI upscaling “to sharpen visuals and smooth gameplay.”
The new RT Cores bring real-time ray tracing, delivering “lifelike lighting, reflections and shadows for more immersive worlds,” Nvidia continued.
Tensor Cores, meanwhile, power AI-driven features like DLSS, “boosting resolution for sharper details without sacrificing image quality.”
Details are thin on the ground, however. In a hardware-focused roundtable Q&A in New York this week, attended by IGN, Nintendo representatives confirmed the Switch 2 uses DLSS, but did not specify which version of the tech, or whether it had been customized for Switch 2. It was a similarly vague response when Nintendo confirmed the Switch 2’s GPU is capable of ray tracing.
And what about the GPU itself? Tetsuya Sasaki, General Manager at Nintendo’s Technology Development Division, and Senior Director at its Technology Development Department, chimed in to say Nintendo prefers not to get in the weeds on things like the GPU.
“Nintendo doesn't share too much on the hardware spec,” he said. “What we really like to focus on is the value that we can provide to our consumers. But I do believe that our partner Nvidia will be sharing some information.”
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
Remember Marathon? It’s Destiny developer Bungie’s next game, and it looks like we’re about to finally see more of it.
Marathon is a PvP-focused extraction shooter set on the mysterious planet of Tau Ceti IV. Players inhabit the bodies of Runners, cybernetic mercenaries who have been designed to survive the planet’s harsh environments, exploring the lost colony that once inhabited Tau Ceti’s surface.
Now, though, half a year later, it looks like Bungie is finally ready to reveal what it’s been working on. A tweet from the official Marathon account, below, revealed a typically cryptic image and accompanying garbled signal noise. As fans have noticed, there’s ASCII art of footage from the debut Marathon trailer. Given this is Bungie we’re talking about, a developer known for its mysterious teasers, hidden clues, and Easter eggs, there’s probably much more here to discover, and fans are already working to find out what it all means.
Either way, it very much looks like it’s finally happening for Marathon after what has been a troubled development.
While Arrowhead’s Helldivers 2 was a breakout hit, becoming the fastest-selling PlayStation Studios game of all time with 12 million copies sold in just 12 weeks, Sony’s other live service games were either canceled or suffered disastrous launches.
Indeed, Sony’s Concord is one of the biggest video game disasters in PlayStation history, lasting just a couple of weeks before it was brought offline amid eye-wateringly low player numbers. Sony later decided to kill the game entirely and shut its developer.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
Maybe the bigger shock was around the cost of Switch 2 games, which not only hit the new $70 USD standard for new games but also go as high as $80 in the case of games like Mario Kart World. Add in the additional cost of the various accessories if you want the full Switch 2 experience and it all totals a hefty sum.
But if you adjust the launch cost of previous Nintendo consoles for inflation, how does Switch 2 stack up? And how does the Switch 2 price also compare to other consoles? The results might surprise you...
Nintendo Switch 2 Price Vs Previous Nintendo Consoles
NES
The NES was released in 1985 and was sold for $179 USD at launch. That sounds like a bargain these days, but if you adjust the cost for inflation it would set you back $523 USD in 2025. Woof!
SNES
Nintendo followed it up in 1991 with the SNES, which at the time cost $199 USD. It was $20 dollars more back then but taking into account the additional inflation between the two launch years, it would cost $460 USD in 2025.
Nintendo 64
Nintendo’s big 3D revolution came when the Nintendo 64 was released in 1996, which came in at the same $199 price point as the SNES. However that’s $400 USD in today’s terms after adjustments for inflation.
Nintendo GameCube
The Nintendo GameCube, whose games will be available on the Switch 2 through the Nintendo Switch Online’s classic library, hit the shelves in 2001 for $199 or $359 USD in today’s dollars.
Wii
Nintendo’s bold next step after the GameCube was the motion-controlled Wii which went on to become a global phenomenon. In 2006, the Wii hit shelves at $249 USD or about $394 USD in 2025.
Wii U
Nintendo wasn’t as successful with its follow-up the Wii U. It was released in 2012 for $299 USD at launch or $415 USD in 2025, making it closer to the Switch 2’s pricing.
Nintendo Switch
Nintendo found its groove again with the Nintendo Switch, which will go down as one of Nintendo’s most-successful consoles of all time. The system hit stores in 2017 – nearly eight years ago – and retailed for $299 USD, or $387 USD in today’s dollars, so still cheaper than Switch 2 when it hits the shelves on June 5.
So there you have it, the original NES is the most expensive console Nintendo has ever launched if you adjust prices for inflation. Does that make Switch 2's price any easier to swallow? Absolutely not.
But what about the games?
While the Switch 2’s price was largely expected by analysts and other trend watchers, the real head-turner was Nintendo’s pricing on games, which will retail as high as $80 USD for Mario Kart World, while others like Donkey Kong Bananza are priced at $70 USD (or $65 digitally).
It’s difficult to see exactly how that compares to the earliest NES cartridges at launch because unlike today, prices back then varied pretty wildly from one game to the next. For example, in the early 90s an NES game could cost as much as $45 USD, or $130 USD in 2025, while some sold for as little as $34, or $98 USD after adjusting for inflation – which is still more than what Mario Kart World would cost today. But many are convinced that the cost of games could increase further.
It's no surprise the Switch 2 hits the higher end of Nintendo's pricing, beaten only by the NES and SNES. Real-world factors do seem to be a big cause of this price increase given that Nintendo announced a cheaper, region-locked Switch 2 for Japan, Nintendo's key domestic market, for 49,980 JPY or $340 USD.
How Switch 2's Price Compares to Other Consoles
We did a similar cost analysis when the price for the PS5 Pro was announced, comparing the PS5 Pro to other Sony consoles. But how does Switch 2 stack up to some other past consoles?
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 was released in 2000 and is the biggest selling console of all time. It cost $299 USD back then and now, adjusted for inflation, the PS2 would cost $565 USD in 2025!
Xbox 360
The Xbox follow-up was the company's most-successful console and was released in 2005 for $299 USD, or about $500 USD in 2025.
While no prices were confirmed during the Nintendo Direct presentation, regional costings have since popped up on Nintendo's country-specific websites, leading to the realisation that the cheapest way to own Nintendo's new hardware is to be Japanese.
As highlighted in a cheeky tweet from Duolingo — the education app that teaches a range of languages, including Japanese — Japan is selling two different Switch consoles: a multi-language version, which sells for 69,980 yen (around $477), and a Japanese language-only edition for 49,980 yen (about $341).
As Japan is the only country in the world offering a mono-language console option for a cheaper price, this means players content to play in Japanese can save over $100 compared to the system the rest of the world has to buy, which is selling for $449.99 in the U.S.
In some experts' opinions, the inflated international price may well be a result of U.S. president Donald Trump's recently announced international tariffs.
"Nintendo probably factored in possible tariffs, the current inflationary climate in the world and the $700 Sony dared to charge for the PlayStation 5 Pro last year," said Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of Kantan Games.
It may also be because Japan is "a key market for Nintendo," with the country accounting for a quarter (24%) of the Nintendo Switch installed base in 2024, compared with just 2% for Xbox Series X/S and 9% for PlayStation 5.
"If Switch 2 pricing in Japanese Yen was aligned with the U.S. Dollar price, it would dramatically weaken Nintendo's position in Japan, representing a doubling in the list price over the classic LCD Nintendo Switch model," explained James McWhirter, analyst at Omdia. "Yet if Nintendo continued to rely on region-specific pricing that is significantly cheaper in USD terms, they would face an issue with grey imports to other territories."
Even if you do happen to be fluent in Japanese, however, there are still barriers to getting hold of the cheaper system.
"The Japanese-Language System (Japan only) is designed for use in Japan only," states Nintendo's own website. "Only Japanese is available as the system language, and only Nintendo accounts with the country/region set to Japan can be linked to this system."
With these further limitations, coupled with the fact the Japanese-only variant is only available from the Japanese My Nintendo Store, Nintendo is essentially region-locking the console to keep costs down for Japanese players.
Vikki Blake is a reporter, critic, columnist, and consultant. She's also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.
There’s no denying the excitement of a new console reveal, and Nintendo certainly delivered when it came to the new graphical capabilities of the Switch 2. Despite still no sign of a new 3D Mario game (it’s been almost eight years since Super Mario Odyssey, why must my pain continue?), we got the open-world Mario Kart World, the return of Donkey Kong to the limelight, and a pseudo-successor to Bloodborne in the shape of The Duskbloods. But one aspect of the reveal has overshadowed everything – the price. Not necessarily just the console itself – $449.99 isn’t an outrageous cost for a piece of new technology in 2025 – but the amount of money it will take to buy the games and accessories to enjoy Switch 2 to its fullest. So is the price of admission to Nintendo’s new toys really too high? Let’s take a look.
Many headlines have been written about the $80 price tag of Mario Kart World. It’s certainly an eye-opener in an age when we’re so used to $60 or $70 being the norm. The knee-jerk reaction is to say that it’s too much and Nintendo is squeezing us for every penny as it knows it’s the one game everyone will want at launch. Throw in another set of joy-con if you want to play with friends and family and that’ll be another $90. Want people from across the world to join you? A non-inexpensive Nintendo Online membership is required. It all tots up and when the reveal trailer was so focused on 24-player co-op and the ability to roam around its world with friends, taking advantage of the new GameChat and photo mode features, it’s hard not to think it's all a bit cynical.
Of course, the counterargument is that it presents good value for money in terms of dollars to hours of enjoyment. World will likely be the only Mario Kart game to be released on the Nintendo Switch 2 if Mario Kart 8’s decade-long lifetime is anything to go by. Is $80 a reasonable amount to charge for a game that will likely provide many years of enjoyment? In an age where free-to-play games such as Fortnite are now the norm, have our perspectives of value for money been skewed? I imagine someone who puts as many hours into Fortnite over a five-year period as a Mario Kart player will likely spend $80 on battle passes and skins. Yes, these examples are apples and oranges, but in a time when a cinema trip for the whole family can easily cost $80 for two hours of animated slop, a decade of Mario Kart doesn’t seem too bad.
Granted, Donkey Kong Bananza is listed at a cheaper $69.99 price, so maybe this is a case of Nintendo knowing they can ask what they want for Mario Kart, one of the planet’s most popular game series. But it does set a worrying precedent, and with the Switch 2 versions of Kirby and the Forgotten Land and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom both also costing $80, the strategy is a little baffling. For a company like Nintendo, which has also appeared player-first and generous in its offerings, it raises the question of whether other game publishers will follow in the footsteps of these inflated game prices. GTA 6, we’re all looking at you. It also turns the attention to how generational leaps between consoles will go in the future when it comes to the cost of upgrading older games.
PlayStation has been doing this for years, consistently offering $10 upgrades to some of its PS4 games making the jump to PS5, with Days Gone doing exactly that later this month. The price for enhanced versions of Switch games on the Switch 2 is yet to be revealed though; if it’s the same as Sony charges then I doubt there’ll be much of an outcry – $10 for a superior frame rate, greater resolution in 4K, and even extra gameplay additions isn’t a bad deal. But if it’s $20 or $30, I’m not sure I’ll be investing in many of these upgrades.
For example, you can currently buy Tears of the Kingdom on Amazon for $52, a whole $28 less than the Switch 2 edition will cost. Surely the upgrade won’t be quite that much? The difference is even starker in the UK, where it’s currently £45 for the Switch version, but £75 for Switch 2. The MSRP for the original Switch version of TOTK is $70, so does that mean the upgrade will be just $10? If that’s the case, why not just buy a Switch copy from Amazon and then get the upgrade pack for another $10, saving yourself almost $20 in the process?
Of course, this is all speculation but the only indicator we have so far is the enhanced versions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom being available as part of a Nintendo Online + Expansion Pack membership, of which the cost is currently $49.99 a year. Assuming that the price doesn’t get raised in the next two months (I wouldn’t be hugely surprised if it does at some point though, Netflix currently charges me $4 million dollars and the soul of my firstborn just to watch Love is Blind), an upgraded Zelda as part of that isn’t the worst deal in the world. But what happens if I cancel my membership? Do I have to go back to playing 1080p, slightly framey Zelda until I resub? These are all questions that need answering.
Finally, we have perhaps the most baffling choice of all: the decision to charge for Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour. This virtual exhibition littered with minigames reeks of hardware pack-in energy and is the sort of thing you’d expect to be greeted with when loading a new console up for the first time. Astro’s Playroom came free with all PlayStation 5s and was an incredibly generous platformer that both evoked Nintendo’s brand of invention and celebrated PlayStation history while welcoming the new addition to its console family. It felt like Sony learned the right lessons from Nintendo and Wii Sports, whereas Switch 2 Welcome Tour feels like Nintendo taking pages out of the borderline arrogance Sony displayed during its expensive PS3 launch.
I don’t think the Switch 2 will be a step backward for Nintendo like Sony’s jump into the high-definition generation was though. It has enough forward momentum and goodwill from the original Switch, not to mention its frankly absurd library of games, to falter massively. The Switch 2 console itself looks like an impressive if not slightly safe improvement on what’s come before. The games we’ve seen so far largely look great too, with many more to come I’m sure (Mario, come on, mate). I just hope Nintendo doesn’t get too greedy and learns from the instant backlash of the cost of some of its launch offerings. No one wants $80 to be the new standard price of video games, so let’s hope Nintendo doesn’t make that a reality.
Does the cost of the Switch 2 and its accompanying games, upgrades, and peripherals completely overshadow the reveal? Not quite for me. But it certainly didn’t result in it being the universal success that Nintendo hoped it would be.
Simon Cardy is a Senior Editor at IGN who can mainly be found skulking around open world games, indulging in Korean cinema, or despairing at the state of Tottenham Hotspur and the New York Jets. Follow him on Bluesky at @cardy.bsky.social.
Patch notes revealed an across-the-board buff to character damage potential and offensive pressure, which caused some within the community to complain that Tekken 8 has strayed too far from the classic Tekken experience.
The backlash got so bad that some pro Tekken players threatened to ditch the game, while others took to Steam to leave angry negative reviews.
In response, the Tekken development team at Bandai Namco issued a statement acknowledging the furore, and confirming an “emergency patch” would be released this month to address Paul and Jack specifically, with more balance changes to come.
Fighters,
we are aware of the current community feedback regarding #TEKKEN8 Season 2. We are carefully reviewing the balance of the game; expect more information about these changes soon.
In addition, an emergency patch will be released in April to adress the following issues👇 pic.twitter.com/Gvet0IOISu
Now, Tekken development chief has waded in, tweeting one person’s complaint that the Tekken community had gone too far in directing its anger at specific staff on social media.
“In any case, it is clear to me that the result is a disconnect between what the community wants and the tuning results,” Harada said.
“I understand that whatever words I may be accused by the community about it, that is not the essential issue and it is not the time to worry about it.
“We have our Battle & Tuning team working around the clock to read through all the feedback logs from the community and work on future policies and changes for the better.
It seems unlikely that Harada’s comment will calm the angry responses from the Tekken community, or stem the tide of negative user reviews on Steam. Recent reviews there are now ‘overwhelmingly negative’ after thousands of negative reviews were left in the last week.
“I am baffled,” reads the current “most helpful” user review. “I never seen devs so out of touch with the community.
“New season dropped and they made every character into a braindead easy mix up machine without a single buff to defense. From the start of Tekken 8 players were vocal about the prominence of easy mix-ups and the glaring nerfs to defense compared to past Tekken games and yet they do a huge patch with lots of new moves that emphasise on every aspect the players disliked about the game.
“No-one, literally no-one asked for these changes, even new players never asked for more offense in a game that clearly lacks defensive options and is easy to mash button and win like in most Tekken games.”
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
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