Doug Bowser: if you can't afford Switch 2, go buy a Switch

[DarthGohan1]

Very tone-deaf interview from Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser


"As we look at Nintendo Switch 2 and you think about the feature sets that I talked about ... we believe that the pricing is appropriate for the value of the machine and the gameplay experience overall. We recognize there are some people that may not be able to afford the Nintendo Switch 2 price point. That's why we wanted to make the other Switch platforms available, so people still have an opportunity to come into our gaming universe, be a part of these characters in these worlds, and see value, if you will, in whatever rung of the platform they come in."
This feels like the exact opposite of what Reggie would have done
Full article:

Nintendo Steps on PR Minefield as Exec Tells People They Can Buy the Switch If They Can't Afford the Switch 2

Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser stepped into a bit of a PR minefield by telling people to get Switch 1 if they can't afford Switch 2

wccftech.com

Reminds me of this (as mentioned in the article):

 

[nightglow]

... Idk maybe if the 3ds had continued support.. it would be having more sales right now because the games are more affordable than the switch 1, online play is free (if online play is your thing to begin with), and the system is more portable and compact than the switch 1 impo? Also, all those ds, and gba games that could go on there. Yeah we can even throw gbc and gb on there too!

For the time being, yeah if someone wants a Switch 2 but can't afford it, they could save up until Nintendo starts pushing out switch 2 games that don't have a switch 1 version. However... While saving up their money they could change their mind and put that money to something that is more needed like a house repair, or even go with a different gaming company that they could get more for their money with. And whatever switch games they did buy, they would have to decide if they want the upgrade packs vs just buying the switch 2 editions off the bat.
And I don't think anyone was expecting switch 1 to simply disappear after the switch 2 comes out, so the wording he chose in my opinion wasn't good.

 

[Reginald Fairfield]

Very tone-deaf interview from Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser


"As we look at Nintendo Switch 2 and you think about the feature sets that I talked about ... we believe that the pricing is appropriate for the value of the machine and the gameplay experience overall. We recognize there are some people that may not be able to afford the Nintendo Switch 2 price point. That's why we wanted to make the other Switch platforms available, so people still have an opportunity to come into our gaming universe, be a part of these characters in these worlds, and see value, if you will, in whatever rung of the platform they come in."
This feels like the exact opposite of what Reggie would have done
Full article:

Nintendo Steps on PR Minefield as Exec Tells People They Can Buy the Switch If They Can't Afford the Switch 2

Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser stepped into a bit of a PR minefield by telling people to get Switch 1 if they can't afford Switch 2

wccftech.com

Reminds me of this (as mentioned in the article):

They keep making very public bad decisions. I'd like to think that is a recent development that can be corrected. We will find out soon.

This is kind of fun to watch.

 

[-Apples-]

So Doug Bowser said “Let them eat cake!” That’s a good way to lose customers.

Besides, the Switch is already done for. We’ve lived with it for eight years.

 

[Seastar]

3DS game releases only lasted for a few more years after the Switch came out, so I am feeling skeptical about this solution. Of course I will just try to get what Switch games I still want since I can't afford another console, but eventually there won't be anything new for me and I doubt my financial situation will have changed. I hope it lasts longer than the 3DS did, but I really doubt it.

 

[nightglow]

3DS game releases only lasted for a few more years after the Switch came out, so I am feeling skeptical about this solution. Of course I will just try to get what Switch games I still want since I can't afford another console, but eventually there won't be anything new for me and I doubt my financial situation will have changed. I hope it lasts longer than the 3DS did, but I really doubt it.

I'd imagine they may be trying to get rid of their console stock. Idk. But Tomodachi, promoted as a switch 1 game, doesn't launch until 2026. Unless they are gonna try to sell a Switch2 edition at the same time... They would have to keep the switch 1 around for a year or two before forcing people into Switch2 and an upgrade packs. Idk.. sounds like it could get scummy.. but I guess if switch 2 isn't hitting the sales they want, switch 1 will have to stay around in order to get game money from consumers.
On a side note, you may find switch games on fb marketplace or eBay or maybe yard sales right now. I know you can find.. extra refurbished new 3ds consoles around.
Even if someone was considering getting the switch 2 someday.. we don't know what switch 1 games will get upgrade packs. Nintendo may be planning to really pump those out.. idk. Maybe that's why the odd message came out of Doug. So looking into second hand switch 1 games may pay off even for people heading into switch 2.

 

[a potato]

I don’t see what’s tone deaf aside from the clickbait. They’re aware of how expensive it is and want to make sure more people can still enjoy the original system, so they’re making games for both.

 

[Reginald Fairfield]

Very tone-deaf interview from Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser


"As we look at Nintendo Switch 2 and you think about the feature sets that I talked about ... we believe that the pricing is appropriate for the value of the machine and the gameplay experience overall. We recognize there are some people that may not be able to afford the Nintendo Switch 2 price point. That's why we wanted to make the other Switch platforms available, so people still have an opportunity to come into our gaming universe, be a part of these characters in these worlds, and see value, if you will, in whatever rung of the platform they come in."
This feels like the exact opposite of what Reggie would have done
Full article:

Nintendo Steps on PR Minefield as Exec Tells People They Can Buy the Switch If They Can't Afford the Switch 2

Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser stepped into a bit of a PR minefield by telling people to get Switch 1 if they can't afford Switch 2

wccftech.com

Reminds me of this (as mentioned in the article):

Someone on youtube said Doug used to work for EA. That would explain it.

 

[Halloqueen]

I'm never one to defend companies, but while the tone of what Doug Bowser said can at first glance be seen as reminiscent of the Don Mattrick statement in the video you posted, we're in choppy waters now. The Mattrick statement was indeed tone-deaf back when it was made, but the Bowser statement just feels like a statement of the reality we find ourselves in now. The tariff situation is going to impact more than just luxury goods like video games and video game consoles. It'll likely bring about changes in business, lifestyle, international trade as countries seek to limit their exposure to the volatility of the U.S.'s market fluctuations from Trump's decisions. Job availability as businesses might have less money to either get off the ground or pay employees.

I agree with a potato.

Besides, the Switch is already done for. We’ve lived with it for eight years.

By the norms as we've come to know them and grown accustomed to thus far. However, the norms are being changed as we speak. We don't have to like it, but we're in a new paradigm now.

 

[a potato]

By the norms as we've come to know them and grown accustomed to thus far. However, the norms are being changed as we speak. We don't have to like it, but we're in a new paradigm now.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they keep a somewhat cross-gen release schedule for a few years due to this. Sure, there will be the Switch 2 exclusives, but I don’t think they’ll want to abandon the original so soon when 1) sooooo many people have one (and thereby avoiding a Wii U situation) and 2) nobody knows when the next overnight global economic shake-up will happen.

 

[Mutti]

Honestly this comment gives off a horrible attitude of "we don't care" and honestly I was already a bit upset about the high price, this just adds to my frustration at nintendo.

 

[Savont 2.0]

yes me the person who already has a switch, i should just by another that i would use solely for animal crossing that's a great use of 300 dollars! P.S I am fine with having one switch and play a ton of game on it, not just acnh

 

[matt]

Mario Kart World isn't coming to NS1, why would anyone want to buy one now, if it has less future

 

[uwuzumakii]

Nintendo as a company has completely lost direction after Iwata died and Reggie left. Doug and the rest of Nintendo seem to fundamentally not understand a large deal of their customer base or why people buy their products.

 

[Crash]

i can't really decide what my thoughts are on this. it does read as tone deaf at first ("don't have $450 to give us? well hopefully you have $300 to give us instead!"), but i'm also not sure that there was any other alternative. as hallo said, this is the reality we're living in now. i won't be able to afford a switch 2 potentially ever, so i won't deny that i'm grateful for continued og switch support + game releases. i think the choice to keep doing that alongside switch 2 was most definitely the right one.

that being said, i do think nintendo has gotten unbelievably greedy over the years and has become very out of touch with their audience. that's been an issue long before the stupid tariffs. my complaint isn't so much with the cost of the console but with the cost of everything else, as well as the inevitability that it will all go up even more after the tariffs go fully into effect. that part isn't nintendo's fault, obviously, but again, the greed has been a growing issue for awhile now. i definitely think bowser's statement could've been more empathetic and phrased a bit better.

 

[BTCircley]

Oh great, Nintendo...

 

[Reginald Fairfield]

They've raised prices more on the accessories.

 

[Boccages]

He is right. If you can’t afford the Switch 2, don’t buy it. Please, pay your rent, buy food. Video games are not an essential need.

If you can’t afford it, wait until you can.

But don’t ***** about it. It’s not Doug’s fault.

 

[Crash]

He is right. If you can’t afford the Switch 2, don’t buy it. Please, pay your rent, buy food. Video games are not an essential need.

If you can’t afford it, wait until you can.

But don’t ***** about it. It’s not Doug’s fault.

i don't think it's fair to generalize everyone's concerns as *****ing. these are steep prices especially compared to previous nintendo consoles/games AND it's right as we're on the brink of a recession. i doubt anyone is going to prioritize a switch 2 over their rent, but many people don't have disposable income and are allowed to be upset about something they enjoy becoming inaccessible to them.

not sure why anyone feels the need to defend a billion dollar corporation as if it's their friend. i've already said maintaining support for the og switch was the right call for nintendo to make and i understand why bowser said what he said, but people have a right to be bothered about this situation as long as they're not hurling hate or disrespect at people. i will never understand why there is always name-calling in scenarios like this instead of having empathy and taking the time to understand both sides of the argument.

 

[Boccages]

To put things in perspective, in 2017 dollars, the Switch 2 would be priced at around $336 USD, considering the original Switch launched at $300 USD.

Similarly, Mario Kart World ($80) would cost about $60 in 2017 dollars once you adjust for inflation. Exactly the price we paid for BotW.

In other words, Nintendo has essentially adjusted its pricing to match inflation—but only after keeping its prices flat for eight years.

If Nintendo had gradually increased its prices year by year instead of holding them steady for so long, could it have avoided the sticker shock we’re seeing now?

It raises an interesting question: Is Nintendo facing backlash not for raising prices—but for waiting too long to do so?