"Switch 2 and Mario Kart World Pricing Sparks Crisis for Nintendo, Say Former PR Managers"

Amidst the widespread criticism of Nintendo's pricing strategy for the Switch 2 and Mario Kart World, former Nintendo PR managers Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang have labeled the situation as a "true crisis moment for Nintendo." In a recent video on their YouTube channel, the duo expressed their concerns about the announcement of the Switch 2's $449.99 price tag and the $79.99 price for Mario Kart World.

Ellis emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "I don’t want to blow things out of proportion, but this does feel like a true crisis moment for Nintendo." The high pricing isn't limited to Mario Kart World; other titles like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for the Switch 2 are also set at $79.99. Additionally, Nintendo has faced backlash for charging for the Switch 2 tutorial game, Welcome Tour, which many fans believe should be included for free, similar to Astro's Playroom on the PlayStation 5.

The frustration with these prices has even infiltrated Nintendo’s Treehouse livestreams, with viewers flooding the chat with demands to "DROP THE PRICE." Ellis and Yang criticized the way Nintendo disclosed the pricing, pointing out the absence of any price mention during the Direct presentation. They suggested that this omission was deliberate, leading to confusion and misinformation as fans searched for pricing details elsewhere.

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Yang noted that the pricing information was scattered across various sources, requiring consumers to piece it together themselves. This approach, they argued, showed a lack of respect for consumers, with Ellis adding, "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?’"

Yang further remarked, "It’s a little bit degrading almost to the intelligence of the consumer." The former NOA communications staff highlighted Nintendo's failure to address these pricing concerns publicly or through media interviews, leading to rampant speculation and misinformation.

Ellis and Yang suggested that Nintendo's current predicament may stem from a shift in its consumer focus, possibly influenced by the retirement of former NOA boss Reggie Fils-Aimé and the loss of former Nintendo head Satoru Iwata. They noted that Nintendo's communications team would likely recommend an official statement, but the approval process would be complex and involve many stakeholders before reaching current Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa.

Additionally, Nintendo is out of practice in managing public and media communications, especially given the negative feedback reminiscent of the 2011 Nintendo 3DS price controversy. Concerns also arise for staff at public demo stations for the Switch 2, as they may face questions from fans that could be misconstrued as official responses if shared online.

While the future remains uncertain, neither Ellis nor Yang anticipate a price reduction for the Switch 2 or its games before launch. For more insights, explore everything announced at the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct and expert opinions on the Switch 2 pricing and Mario Kart World's $80 price tag.