Nintendo’s New Switch 2 Bundle Could Be the Smart Buy Before the Price Hike
Nintendo is giving late Switch 2 buyers a pretty tempting shortcut before the console gets more expensive.
The company has announced a new “Choose Your Game” Nintendo Switch 2 bundle, launching in early June for $499.99. Instead of locking you to one pack-in title, this version lets buyers pick one of three major Switch 2 games: Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, or Pokémon Pokopia.
On paper, that means you are saving around $20 to $30 compared with buying the console and game separately. More importantly, it lands before Nintendo’s planned September 1 price increase, when the Switch 2 itself moves from $449.99 to $499.99.
So yes, the math is quite straightforward: pay the future console price now, but get a big first-party game included. For anyone who has been waiting instead of jumping in at launch, this is probably the cleanest official deal so far.
Why this matters for Malaysia and SEA buyers
For Malaysian gamers, the Switch 2 conversation has always been less about “is Nintendo good?” and more about how painful the final price becomes after local retail markup, currency conversion, and stock demand.
A USD price hike may not translate one-to-one into Malaysia pricing immediately, but it usually affects the whole chain — official pricing, parallel imports, bundle deals, Shopee/Lazada listings, and even second-hand console prices. If Nintendo is raising the baseline price in the US, SEA buyers should expect retailers to watch that closely.
That makes this bundle interesting. Even if local shops price it differently, the package gives retailers a strong reason to push a console-plus-game offer before September. If you were already planning to buy Mario Kart World for party nights, Pokémon Pokopia for chill co-op vibes, or Donkey Kong Bananza for proper 3D platforming, this bundle could soften the damage.
The game choices are actually solid
Nintendo did not just throw random filler into the deal. The three options are some of the Switch 2’s biggest first-year titles.
Mario Kart World remains the obvious family-and-friends pick. The open-world angle has been divisive, but the core racing is still the kind of chaos that works perfectly for dorm rooms, Raya gatherings, gaming cafés, and weekend lepak sessions.
Donkey Kong Bananza has also become one of the console’s standout platformers, especially for players who have been waiting for something with that big Nintendo polish since Super Mario Odyssey.
Then there is Pokémon Pokopia, which has reportedly been a major hit thanks to its mix of Pokémon creatures with cosy building and life-sim elements inspired by games like Minecraft and Animal Crossing. That one feels especially dangerous for SEA players who enjoy long, low-stress grind games.
This new bundle also brings back the spirit of the Switch 2 launch package that included Mario Kart World at the same $499.99 price point.
Nintendo still has more coming
Nintendo has not said how long the “Choose Your Game” bundle will be available, but the timing suggests it may not stick around after the September price rise.
The company is also trying to calm concerns about Switch 2 momentum. In its latest financial results, Nintendo said it still has multiple unannounced Switch 2 games planned for later this year.
The confirmed upcoming lineup already includes Yoshi and the Mysterious Book on May 21, Star Fox on June 25, Rhythm Heaven Groove on July 2, and Splatoon Raiders on July 23. Rhythm Heaven Groove is also coming to the original Switch. Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave is due sometime this year, while fans are also looking ahead to FromSoftware’s exclusive The Duskbloods.
There are also reports of an Ocarina of Time remake arriving later this year, which would instantly make the console harder to ignore if true.
Nintendo has faced shareholder pressure around Switch 2 pricing, with reports that the console has been sold at a loss — unlike the original Switch era. The company also expects to sell fewer Switch 2 units over the next 12 months than during its first year, framing that as sales stabilising after a huge launch.
For Malaysian and SEA players, the takeaway is simple: if you already want a Switch 2, watch this bundle closely. Waiting until after September might mean paying more and getting less. Bro, that is the kind of Nintendo tax nobody enjoys.
Source: IGN
