Overview

• Nintendo's Switch 2 launch title, Mario Kart World, will retail for $80, setting a new price benchmark for flagship games.
• Microsoft has announced that select first-party games will adopt the $80 price point later this year, mirroring Nintendo's move.
• EA executives confirmed the company has no immediate plans to follow the $80 pricing trend, emphasizing a strategy focused on quality and diverse pricing models.
• Former PlayStation head Shuhei Yoshida cited inflation and rising development costs as driving forces behind the price increases, but stressed the need for balance between production costs and consumer affordability.
• Players are becoming more selective with game purchases, with many opting to wait for discounts or relying on subscription services to manage costs in light of the price hikes.