Fans have high expectations from the Nintendo Switch, which is scheduled to release March 3, but its expensive peripherals could prove to be a hurdle for the company.
The Nintendo Switch is a portable hybrid home console, which has been generating a lot of excitement in the tech space. The hybrid device lets one disable edge system controllers, known as Joy-Cons, which can be used as gamepads, combining with the set up screen on a kickstand.
With a slew of games like Super Mario Odyssey and Legend of Zelda: Breadth of the Wild set to hit the console, gamers are pinning high hopes on the device. As the device's name suggests, players can easily Switch from indoors to outdoors while enjoying their game experience.
Nintendo Switch Accessories
Price for the Nintendo Switch peripherals are out now and they certainly aren't cheap. The market price for the base gaming console is $299.99 and the expensive accessories could burn a deep hole in your wallet.
Those looking to purchase an extra controller have to shell out an additional $79.99 and $69.99 for the Joy-Con and Joy-Con Pro controllers, respectively.
This controller can be split in two and a gamer can purchase it separately. However, that would cost the player $49.99 for either the left or right Joy-Con controller.
The Charging Grip for the Joy-Con controller is also not cheap and will cost $29.99. So if a gamer is looking at buying both the Joy-Con controller and the charging grip, they need to shell out $110.
If gamers are looking to purchase the Dock Set for the Nintendo Switch they will have to pay $89.99. The Dock Switch is handy for those looking to hook up the "Nintendo Switch with multiple TVs in the house" as it offers "everything you need to dock your system and play in TV mode."
The Joy-Con wheel will cost $14.99 and is a set of two. With this accessory, a gamer will feel like they are "behind the wheels" when playing their favorite car racing game.
If one were to purchase all the peripherals they would be shelling out a colossal amount.
Nintendo Switch Price Vs. Wii U
In 2012, when Nintendo introduced the Wii U, its pricing was the same as Nintendo Switch. However, it remains $50 more expensive than the original Wii, which was launched in 2006.
Gamers only get a storage of 32 GB and in the future, they may need to spend more money on microSD cards to increase the console's capacity.
Will The Price Impact Its Sales?
Analysts are not too worried about how the pricing of the Nintendo Switch's peripherals could affect its market prospects.
"This is not an impulse purchase or as cheap as other recent Nintendo consoles and at this price point Nintendo will be competing with existing consoles and tablets," said Piers Harding-Rolls of IHS Market. "Unlike the Wii, this is not a product that will necessarily sell itself through word of mouth as its proposition is still relatively complex."
The analyst is also of the belief that the Nintendo Switch's novel Joy-Con controllers may get "market traction" through marketing ploys from the company.
The Nintendo Switch is now available for preorder and will hit the shelves on March 3.
