Why is Minecraft so Expensive on Nintendo Switch?
Minecraft for Nintendo Switch retails for $29.99 in the US eShop, a notably higher price than many other platforms. As a beloved game that‘s been around for over a decade, why does Minecraft still command premium pricing on Nintendo‘s hybrid console? There are several key factors driving the continued high cost.
Higher Production and Distribution Costs
Unlike downloadable games, physical Switch games come on proprietary cartridges. These carts cost significantly more to manufacture and distribute than digital downloads.
According to a 2019 CNBC report, a 32GB Nintendo Switch cartridge costs $10-$15 to produce. For comparison, producing a Blu-Ray disc costs only pennies. Cartridges must also be shipped around the world and passed through multiple supply chain entities, adding to base production expenses.
Selling a game digitally eliminates these physical production and distribution costs. But with the Switch, publishers still have to account for the increased cartridge expenses if they want to sell physical copies. These hardware costs contribute to keeping the base price of Switch games higher across the board.
Nintendo‘s Premium Pricing Strategy
As a first-party console manufacturer, Nintendo has full control over the pricing and sales policies for the Nintendo eShop and physical games. This strategy is a key factor in maintaining higher price points.
Unlike Xbox or PlayStation, Nintendo rarely discounts first-party titles. According to a 2021 CNET article, primary Nintendo Switch titles like Animal Crossing and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe continue to retail for $59.99 years after launch. Major sales or permanent price drops are uncommon.
This policy extends to third-party games as well. Publishers are aware that Nintendo fans are accustomed to paying full price for mainline releases on Switch. So they can get away with keeping prices higher, knowing gamers expect it on the platform.
| Game | Original Release | Launch Price | Current Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Crossing: New Horizons | March 2020 | $59.99 | $59.99 |
| Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | April 2017 | $59.99 | $59.99 |
Nintendo 1st Party Game Pricing Over Time
As this table shows, even Nintendo games from 2017 retain full launch MSRP on the eShop in 2024.
Continued Development and Post-Launch Support
Minecraft is not a static game – it has expanded dramatically since its initial alpha release in 2009. Developer Mojang continues to update Minecraft with new features, modes, enemy types, dimensions, and cross-promotional tie-ins.
On Switch, the Bedrock Engine powers near-infinite world generation and cross-play with other Bedrock platforms. The console release also comes bundled with Mario and Sonic franchise mash-up packs, adding even more content.
This ongoing development and post-launch support adds tangible value to Minecraft. Even though the base game is over a decade old, players are still getting plenty of new experiences and gameplay – features that continue to justify the $29.99 price tag.
Strong Ongoing Sales and Popularity
Minecraft remains one of the best-selling video games of all time, with over 200 million copies sold across all platforms as of late 2022. Impressively, it continues to average over 140 million monthly active users.
The Switch edition in particular sees strong sales momentum even several years post-launch. According to 2022 year-end eShop charts, Minecraft placed as the 5th best-selling Switch game of the year in both Europe and North America.
This data shows Minecraft retains its popularity. Coupled with the Switch‘s huge install base, it translates to strong ongoing sales. Since demand remains high, Mojang and Nintendo can uphold premium pricing in the eShop.
Comparable Experience to Other Versions
The Switch port is the full Minecraft experience, not a slimmed-down mobile copy. World sizes are now virtually endless thanks to the Bedrock Engine, bringing it in line with other platforms. Owners also gain access to cross-platform multiplayer.
If the Switch couldn‘t deliver feature parity with other versions, the pricing may be harder to justify. But in its current form, the port offers the complete Minecraft journey. This provides equal inherent value to justify the $29.99 cost.
In summary, Minecraft‘s premium eShop pricing ultimately comes down to:
- Extra production/distribution expenses for physical cartridges
- Nintendo‘s first-party pricing policies and norms
- Continued developer support over a decade post-launch
- Strong ongoing sales indicating lasting popularity
- Delivering the complete experience expected by fans
While the Switch tax may seem steep, for most Minecraft fans, the ability to play on the go is worth the premium. And Nintendo knows its die-hard fans are used to paying a bit more for quality releases.
