Pokémon pokopia price jumps to $80 on switch 2, sparking retail frustration
Amazon has quietly bumped the price of the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 game, Pokémon Pokopia, to $80, effectively making it the same price as the console itself. The sudden increase comes amid reports of dwindling stock and supply chain issues impacting the physical release.
Supply constraints drive up pokémon pokopia's price
Numerous retailers are now completely out of boxed copies of Pokémon Pokopia, a life simulation game set in the Pokémon world. While Amazon still lists the game as available in the U.S., the price has surged to $80 – a $10 increase from its initial expectations. This isn’t an isolated incident; Amazon recently raised the price of Resident Evil Requiem for Switch 2 to $76.84, nearly $7 above its suggested retail price.
The game's Recommended Retail Price (RRP) remains $70 for the digital version, suggesting Nintendo anticipated a shift toward downloads, possibly due to the game’s Animal Crossing-like appeal. Physical copies are even scarcer outside the U.S., with reports of severe undersupply in the UK, leading to launch sales significantly lower than last year's Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Nintendo has maintained that only Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is officially priced at $80 on the Switch 2, but several re-releases of older Switch titles have also reached this price point. The company has indicated a willingness to experiment with variable game pricing, leaving retailers to set their own prices. IGN’s review of Pokémon Pokopia scored a 9/10, praising its engaging gameplay and charming character interactions.
The game's release as a Game-Key Card launch might have been a calculated move to encourage digital purchases. The scarcity of physical copies underscores the ongoing challenges in the gaming industry, particularly with supply chain disruptions. The price hike raises questions about Nintendo's inventory management and the potential impact on consumer enthusiasm for physical releases.
The scarcity of Pokémon Pokopia physical copies is a stark reminder that even beloved franchises aren't immune to the complexities of modern game distribution. Consumers now face a choice: pay a premium for a physical copy or opt for the digital version.