CNET study: Gamers have high hopes for Nintendo Switch 2 – If the price is correct

After eight years of waiting fans are understandably excited by Nintendo Switch 2 Finally, it is finally released this summer.

Franchisement revealed New games and features that could help justify the price of the sticker, including Mario Kart WorldHogwarts Legacy and Madden NFL. After years of waiting, Nintendo’s loyal gamers are ready for a new and improved system. However, will the big question deliver Switch 2?

A new CNET study found that more than half of us adults in games (58%) are interested in buying Switch 2, but first consider several factors. In the numbers, 27% are looking for an affordable price, while others hope for the new Nintendo franchise games and improved technology will meet their expectations.

Switch 2 will be released on June 5th and costs $ 450 – marking it as the most expensive Nintendo console so far. Yet the ongoing tariff Fiasco raised questions about whether the price could rise and have delayed pre -orderswhich initially had to start on April 9th. Nintendo pressed a pause after tariff messages earlier this month, but said the date of exit in June had not been affected.

Here’s what CNET found out about gamers about Switch 2, including what they would like to buy and what they expect in the coming months.

Gen Z hopes Switch 2 will bring better games and performance

CNET found that 70% of Gen Z and 71% of millennial gamers were interested in the upcoming switching model. The most interesting is Gen Z’s hopes for the new console and how they look at games.

Almost one in four (23%) of Gen Z respondents is looking forward to the new Nintendo franchises games, while 30% are eagerly awaiting improvement of technology as a bigger screen and better graphics. First of all, the best factor in deciding whether to buy the switch or not an affordable price (31%). CNET editor in the largest Scott Stein, who wrote about gaming devices, was not shocked by any of that.

“It definitely sounds that these results are favorable to the existence of Switch 2,” Stein said.

Here is a more detailed consideration of the factors of Gen Gen Z Gamers and the US, adults who are considering when deciding to upgrade to Switch 2 and what experts think about data.

Read more: What do you need to know about Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Games

Factor # 1 is the price of the console

Nintendo’s most ninth console is now closer to other console prices such as the Xbox Series X, which costs $ 450, but $ 500 with the Mario Kart World package. For comparison, the first switch costs $ 300 when it was released.

Although the console is more expensive than the forecast CNET experts, Gen Zers may be ready to pay, as Switch 2 offers more features, games and higher resolution graphics.

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“It may look high, but it is right in line with the higher class of manual devices like Steam Deck, and Windows manual devices are even more expensive. Plus, this comes with its own dock,” Stein said.

Stein pointed out that if Gen Zers love the usual Nintendo games, they would probably buy a larger switching model. However, this may depend on how much big name post support is given by Switch 2 for popular games that could make the new console worth the price of the sticker for them. So far Nintendo has announced nearly 50 Switch 2 games, including several classics that have a Switch 2 EditionS

Everything is in the work of the switch and unique features

As one of the youngest generations for games, Gen Z hopes Nintendo will deliver a higher resolution graph with the upcoming edition that can meet Gen Z’s expectations with PlayStation and Xbox. Since this generation was much rider when Nintendo’s first switch was first released, Stein said it was the first time they could weigh the Nintendo franchise graphics and capabilities.

Beyond the graph, Gen Z also looks at what makes the switch stand out.

For example, Nintendo has announced that any Joy-Con can be used as a compatible game mouse like a civilization 7. This may not move the needle to make the purchase, but Gen Z is looking for something different that will make the purchase useful, said David Lumb, a senior CNET reporter.

They spend more on games but deliberately

Although the younger generation weighs the price of the console, let’s not forget about the factor # 1 for the younger generation, given the switch 2: The availability of games. “Gen Z, with its disposable income, chooses to focus on a few games and to continue a little on this, instead of having a wider (array) games, especially if their socialization is based on those one or two games,” Lumbus said.

Lumb also said that Gen Z is likely to initially wait to see if more games go out to justify the price of Switch 2, especially since they already have forever games, they are socially playing with friends.

Still, this generation spends the most on subscriptions and games.

Gen Z spends an average of $ 56 a month on subscriptions and/or new games, compared to adults in the US as a whole, spending an average of $ 35 a month. This is an additional $ 252 a year for the youngest generation surveyed.

Beyond buying New games And paying subscriptions, this monthly amount is likely to be spent on purchases in the game Gen Z gamers can only buy once a year. However, they could spend the monthly sum of customization, superstructures and other purchases in the game, Lumb said. For example, consider cosmetics and items in the game that you can buy in two weeks, which will also be available on Switch 2.

Read more: The best deals to switch Nintendo: Get Switch OLED and get Super Mario Bros Wonder FREE

Why Switch 2 is gaining grip for us gamers

The world of games develops after the first switch hits the scene. Nowadays, 4K graphics, virtual reality, streaming, Play And social game is increasingly important for many gamers. The new switch has the ability to catch up with competitors as Xbox Series X. and Sony PlayStation 5 As you maintain a family-friendly, portable format that is more accessible to everyone.

Since then, more than half (58%) of us adults this game want to buy Nintendo Switch 2. The big question is why.

For loyal gamers to switch the format and games are fun and gamers are ready for the next iteration of it, Lumb said.

“I think people are just excited to see the next version of this, but I also think it’s an excitement, not a guarantee that people will buy it,” Lumba said. Here’s what our adults would convince us to buy the new switch.

The big switch 2 moments our editors and gamers

The Nintendo Switch 2 came with several hearing superstructures, including a larger display and magnetic joys. Here’s what more gamers and our experts are eagerly awaiting based on the results of the survey and the latest Nintendo DirectS

Better performance to lure popular games

In addition to the price of the console, the two largest factors for buying the switch are the improved technology and the availability of the game. However, in order to have both popular big name games, they need a better performance to offer more than the usual Nintendo titles.

Nintendo is not focused on performance such as Xbox and PlayStation – which present themselves similar to a personal computer, Lumb said. Instead, it focuses on offering unique games.

“Nintendo really gets style through the latest and the biggest, which is fun. However, the original switch has been injured in the top-class game,” Lumb said. “So hopefully we will see a boost to the performance at least we can get a decent amount of these leading games.”

A few big name titles come to Nintendo including WWE 2K, The Duskbloods And Civilization 7 – the first strategic mouse game for Switch 2. Nintendo will also offer Gameshare for three compatible game systems.

New Nintendo Subscription Plan

Currently, Nintendo offers Nintendo Switch Online, which allows cloud storage, online gameplay and Nintendo Games Library. Our editors couldn’t wait to see if Nintendo’s big message would include changes to the existing subscription to offer more to gamers. And nintendo delivered.

Nintendo Switch Online receives several new features, including live game chat that will only be available for Switch 2. Game Chat will require Nintendo Switch Online Subscription after March 2 2026. Nintendo will offer expansion packages for games you may already have, but you want to over The big shock was that the biggest shock was that the biggest shock was that the biggest shock was, Nintendo Gamecube Library For Switch 2 users too.

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Special features and upgraded technology

Beyond the long game list, Nintendo has a rich list of new features and accessories that come this year that could meet Gamer’s expectations. You will be able to play Switch 2 games with up to 120 frames per second, you have better sound quality with the built-in console microphone and 256 GB of interior storage.

Plus, Nintendo has announced a Nintendo Switch camera, a new Switch 2 controller and a Gamecube controller.

“It’s funny because we always write off Nintendo by not dealing with graphics or mandatory technology, but they have times when they push the envelope of technology,” Stein said.

The Nintendo switch will also be compatible back, as Stein hoped. That means, encounter some compatibility problemsS Stein said this would be a welcoming news for Nintendo loyal customers, who could later consider buying a more new model. And when they do, they already have a library of games.

Methodology

All numbers, unless otherwise stated, are from Yougov PLC. The total sample is 2369 adults, of whom 1290 are gamers. The field work was carried out between March 19 and 25, 2025. The survey was conducted online. The numbers are weighed and representative of all adults in the United States (over 18 years of age).