"Switch 2 to Sell Out at Launch, Analysts Say; June Release Eyed"

The buzz around the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 is palpable, with industry analysts predicting a launch price around $400. This expectation was echoed in a recent Bloomberg report, drawing on predictions from Japan-focused analysts. This price point marks a notable increase from the original Switch, and some analysts suggest that Nintendo might even push the price to $499. Despite the higher cost, experts anticipate that the Switch 2 will have a monumental launch, potentially the largest in console history, driven by demand rather than price.

"They will sell boatloads of Switch 2 in the first months in particular, almost regardless of the price," Tokyo analyst Serkan Toto confidently told Bloomberg. The excitement stems from the highly anticipated launch lineup of games, including a new Mario Kart teased by Nintendo, a new 3D Mario game, and the already announced Pokémon Legends: Z-A and Metroid Prime 4, all set to release within the Switch 2's first year. Toto also anticipates robust third-party support, with Activision's Call of Duty expected to be among the titles.

The rumor mill has been churning with a list of third-party games expected on the console. In an interview with IGN, Civilization 7 developer Firaxis expressed intrigue over the Switch 2’s reported Joy-Con mouse mode. French game and accessories maker Nacon, known for titles like Greedfall 2, Test Drive Unlimited, and RoboCop: Rogue City, has confirmed readiness with Switch 2 games. The long-awaited Hollow Knight: Silksong is also rumored to be in the works for the Switch 2. Last month, EA mentioned that Madden, FC, and The Sims would be ideal for the Switch 2. It's worth noting that Activision has not yet announced its plans, and Nintendo has remained silent on these reports.

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Speculation around the release date points to June 2025, a timeline increasingly mentioned in gaming circles and online. Robin Zhu, a Japan-based analyst from Sanford C. Bernstein, shared with Bloomberg that the Switch 2 is slated for a June release, with an initial stock of 6-8 million units. If these units sell out quickly, the Switch 2 could surpass its predecessor and even the PlayStation 4 and 5 in terms of sales velocity, setting new benchmarks in the industry.

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Concerns have arisen about the impact of U.S. president Donald Trump’s tariff war on the Nintendo Switch 2's pricing. New tariffs on goods from China, Canada, and Mexico have led analysts to warn gamers about potential price increases and supply issues for video games and consoles. However, Bloomberg highlighted that the Switch 2 will be assembled in both Vietnam and China, which could mitigate these risks due to Vietnam's status as a major U.S. trading partner.

While much about the Switch 2 remains a mystery, Nintendo has scheduled a Direct for April 2 to shed more light on the console. In January, Nintendo unveiled the Switch 2 with a teaser confirming backwards compatibility features and the addition of a second USB-C port. Details about other games and the function of the new Joy-Con button were omitted, though the Joy-Con mouse mode theory gained traction. Last month, a Nintendo patent hinted that the Switch 2’s Joy-Con could be attached upside down, utilizing gyro mechanics akin to smartphones without screen locks. Unlike the original Switch, the new controllers will use magnets instead of rails, allowing for versatile attachment and potentially new gameplay mechanics.