
If you're an Xbox fan of a certain age, you probably remember one of the most infamous moments in the brand's history that occurred back in 2013, when then-Xbox boss Don Mattrick advised people who didn't have access to a constant internet connection to just buy an Xbox 360 - rather than the new Xbox One that had just been unveiled.
It was seen as an extremely out-of-touch moment that arguably cost Don Mattrick his job, and Xbox eventually went back on the whole idea of a 24-hour internet requirement, adding offline functionality to the Xbox One in time for launch.
Now, what Nintendo's Doug Bowser has said this week isn't as bad as that, but it's quite humorous how similar the two quotes are! For comparison, here's Don Mattrick's infamous Xbox quote alongside Doug Bowser's Nintendo quote:
Don Mattrick (Xbox) in 2013: We have a product for people who aren't able to get some form of connectivity; it's called Xbox 360.
Doug Bowser (Nintendo) in 2025: We recognize there are some people that may not be able to afford [the Switch 2's] price point. That's why we wanted to make the other Switch platforms available, so [people] still have an opportunity to come into our gaming universe, be a part of these characters in these worlds, and see value, if you will, in whatever rung of the platform they come in.
Again, I don't think this is anywhere near as bad as the Don Mattrick quote from back in the day, but it's a topic that's suddenly attracted thousands of comments across social media, with many pointing out the Xbox similarities:
The problem here, for me, isn't what Doug said - the Switch 2 is a costly system, and even though there's been justified controversy surrounding the price of its games, the hardware itself feels like it's been set at an appropriate price point.
The real problem is that you can't go channelling this quote and expecting to win over the naysayers! It's a sentence that still haunts us to this day - Xbox lost so much trust from fans during that botched launch back in 2013.
Anyway, let's not take this too seriously. The Switch 2 is not facing anywhere near the disaster that the Xbox One was during that time, and I have faith it's going to be an awesome console.. but this was a bit of an own goal for sure!
Do you see the similarities, or is this being overblown? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
[source cbc.ca]
Comments 58
Call me crazy but I see nothing wrong with this. Gaming is a luxury, if you can't afford the new console there's plenty of other options including a Switch 1.
When did it become an (internet) crime for stating the obvious? Would they rather they pulled the Switch 1 and gave no options?
Charging $10 for what they are calling "nintendo switch 2 welcome tour" might be the most out of touch moment in gaming history. If there is actually substance to this "game" instead of the pixel counter or rumble demonstration that was shown then definitely show that instead.
And call it something else, it sure sounds like they are charging you for the tutorial you would see when booting something like a phone for the first time. Maybe that is all they are doing, it is Nintendo after all.
Playstation basically gave a 3 hour game on par with any 3d mario for free as their ps5 tech demo.
It certainly didn't give that arrogant tone that happened with the PS3 launch. The Switch Lite is a very affordable and still very capable little handheld as an option.
I guess we'll see how much of a difference it makes when you actually have games constantly releasing on the platform.
I watched the whole Nintendo Direct and zero minutes were spent on watching tv shows and movies on the Switch 2.
Should they have bundled the Welcome Tour? Sure. But if you read Reggie's book (a great read BTW), you'll see that he had to fight to have Wii Sports bundled with the Wii. Japan was against it (and there it wasn't bundled). Different leadership unfortunately means different piorities in this case.
Don. I tried hard to forget about him. Thank you, PX, for reminding me of him 😅
He should have said that people ought to get an additional job to afford Switch 2. 😂
The Switch 2 is priced right in my opinion. Sure at $399 it would have been a steal and many more would have been happy. But as it is it is fine. But $80 for Mario Kart and $90 digital is the issue i see with all this. Mario Kart is crazy fun, one of my favorite Nintendo Ip’s if not my favorite. But it is in no way shape or form a more complex code and time investment as big AAA games that are less money. So this was a hike just cause we can not to offset cost. Speaking of cost, sure Nintendo has came into the 4K world of video games, so i was more than ok and truthfully expected to see $70 for all their games. But $80 and $90 is just way off. That said i make enough money to grab them and likely will. But it’s more than I’d like to pay and many others will likely stay on Switch 1 even longer.
@HonestHick Yep I think the problem is the price of games, accessories, repackaged games and upgrades and they know it. A console is something people buy once a lustrum, although in this case the price difference between the Japanese version and the international version is massive and difficult to digest.
I don’t understand. They said they aren’t going to abandon their current and most popular platform. Why is this a controversy.
"justified controversy surrounding the price of its games"
Perhaps, but Nintendo have set the tone for game pricing over the course of the next generation. Yes, you'll soon be paying £75 for PS and Xbox games with those prices certain to rise again at some point during said generation.
I went and watched Don's "moment" on YouTube. Man, the arrogance of that man. He was clearly having a bad day lol.
@VoidPunk
It's not controversial. Mountains out of molehills.
The Switch 2 is gonna Xbone/Wii U itself to death at this rate. Who runs their PR department? The accountants? What a horrifying launch.
@HonestHick it's pretty good value in the UK, £430 for the mario kart world bundle. My main issue is that I don't need the upgrade yet, so I'll still rock my switch 1 for a couple years yet. Hopefully by then game prices stabilise!
I think i saw a comment on another thread you wrote, that it's worth it because Nintendo games just give pure childlike joy; couldn't agree more. I'll probably get one when the mario Odyssey sequel arrives
The thing was how Doug Bowser said it compared to Don Mattrick. The way Don said it, he made it sound like if you didn't want to get an Xbox One you were a second class citizen and spat on those that didn't want to agree with their new policies.
Doug Bowser on the other hand is acknowledging that some people don't want to upgrade right away and it's ok not that they are going to be left in the dust.
Nintendo is beyond greedy and taking crazy pills.
Where to start? $80 games? $10 for tutorial? Pushing button on a controller for voice chat that results in a fee?
@Kaloudz you can say what you want, but you can't deny that my boy Don is a legend, lol.
What Doug said makes sense. The Switch 1 has 150 million consoles sold (nearing PS2 levels) and they realize that some people will not be able to afford the Switch 2 immediately at launch and that is okay, so basically they're having the Switch 1 as an option for the people and will continue to support it for as long as necessary they will do as they do not want to alienate them fully. The PS2 got games until 2012. The PS4 is still getting ports of games. So the same can happen here right? And like one other comment said, Don's comment is more like "treating those who couldn't get Xbox One because they didn't have internet connection like 2nd class citizens" and Doug's comment is more like "Hey if you can't afford the Switch 2 right now, that is okay, we will continue to support the Switch 1 for the foreseeable future".
I expect the Switch 1 to get more games (Hades 2, Shadow Labyrinth, Rhythm Heaven Groove, Tomodaichi Life Living the Dream, etc.) so the Switch 1 people will not be completely left in the dark.
At least he didn't say the Switch 2 is an "aspirational" product.
I’m a platform agnostic gamer and not saying this from any perspective of bias: Comparing these two statements is a stretch at best and disingenuous at the worst.
Tbh if you can't afford it just wait till you can or save up if it's something you want so much thats what you do simples!🤷
@themightyant The issue is that people want to be able to afford luxury items, and telling someone to go buy the old model... Is basically telling someone they're too broke or poor. No one like to be told their too broke or too poor to afford something. You're probably also not from the US where people are general obsessed with owning things they can't afford, and calling someone broke or poor is a good way to get stabbed or shot in the streets.
Doug Bowser just isn't very Nintendo. His decisions on keeping Internet connections on for people that own multiple Switches was outright dumb as I owned the launch model, lite and OLED and would often pack it up to go out only to not be able to play a bunch of my content because that device hadn't been online. They are just allowing this now for up to 2 weeks. A great improvement but their decisions don't make a lot of sense to me.
The console prices is ok, got the £430 MKW bundle and the pro controller which to me is a little expensive at £75, should be about £60 really.
As for the games digital for DK £57 is ok as all my consoles and games are digital anyway.
So far ok for me, will be interesting to see the price of MP4 and the next 3d Mario game.
Then of course GTA6 price and maybe Sony ghost of Y and Microsoft’s big AAA like a Gears or Fable.
We're all forgetting that in two years Nintendo is going to release the Nintendo Switch 2 Lite? That's the product they should have released at the same time as the NS2. Also, then in another two years the Nintendo Switch 2 OLED is going to come?
@themightyant Agreed. People comparing the two seemingly forget there's a vast amount of people who can't afford an Xbox, Playstation or gaming PC. Hell, there's people who can't afford a Switch.
Nintendo Switch OLED was €349.99. So it was kinda a given the Switch 2 would be over this price. It's literally £50 more. No way was it going to be cheaper.
In any case, the pricing of the console is hardly an issue. People should be more worried about Nintendo raising the prices of their games because they could be setting a new industry standard.
Will all of this locking down, monetising & fleecing like aggressive prices tied to multiple products and services, it seems Nintendo maybe nervous with this new iteration because if they weren't, you would think they would be going all out on welcoming new & existing gamers/customers without hidden costs for this new device especially with the welcome tour app.
At heart, for a company that primarily markets and produces products and games for kids in the gaming industry, they're the **ittiest so I can imagine they would pull a fast one (the current strategies) if it doesn't go down well because at the end of the day everyone already has a switch at home and they definitely don't want people emulating their new games if it goes to crap
(which it wont obviously)
@AverageGamer That's American's problems. I guess they should reconsider their culture and values instead of acting like people outside of America care if they can't afford a Switch 2.
@themightyant There's nothing wrong with the logic of the statement, but maybe it was not the best for PR, as we can see.
@EdgarTheBug There is a chance it ends up biting them. The 3DS-- ended its run as an incredible handheld-- started on a terrible foot and had to be slashed in price along with Nintendo eating a massive slice of humble pie.
The Nintendo fans didn't save them during that, nor did they with the Wii U. Of course I'm not saying "guaranteed nintendo flop OMG", just that there's a very real 50/50 shot of either outcome happening-- where it's a success or a vast under-performer that causes them to repeat what they did with the 3DS.
I bet nobody had Nintendo going full Mattrick on their 2025 bingo card 🤣. The easiest W in gaming and Nintendo is literally p*****g down their leg.
I wouldn't buy that over priced under powered machine anyways, lol.
@themightyant The issue is that while gaming is a luxury, video game consoles only exist as a method of lowering the price of that luxury. Making it more economical. Part of that promise is where we get subsidized consoles from doing blatantly anti consumer stuff like only having one storefront, charging for paid online, charging for cloud saves, etc. Here Nintendo is doubling down on all fronts and the result is a handheld with outdated hardware and a closed off ecosystem and more expensive games and services than ever, that isn't "that" much cheaper than its open PC (Windows and Linux based) counterparts.
The issue is also that gaming is a luxury. Nintendo keeps flaunting this attitude of "tough times" as if people's wallets aren't already being squeezed tighter by necessities like groceries. Other gaming companies are responding with methods of spreading the cost and even finding ways to making gaming more accessible for a cheaper up front price.
You're echoing the same argument that was made when Xbox released the Xbox One and now Nintendo with the Switch 2: if you don't like the price, then don't buy it. Which is tone deaf of the reason why people complain and hilarious in that that's exactly what the people who complain will do. The Switch 2 is 100% see slower initial sales than the Switch originally had and it'll only ramp up once they lower the price through sales or release a lower tier (probably handheld only) model that costs less.
Arguably, Nintendo's comment is worse in the sense that it throws out far more rhetoric and just kinda nothing speak. Like Nintendo's is far more indirect whereas Xbox's was far more direct. The same thing is being said regardless; how it is being said is what's changed. Which the message does matter. The Nintendo message probably does soften the blow for most. I'm just a walking cynic who gets real frustrated over double speak.
Anyway, the main difference here is Xbox is Xbox and Nintendo is Nintendo. (there's also a difference of about 12 years (though arguably that should make it worse considering what the interals of the Switch are more comparable to)). Honestly, whose to say how the Switch 2 will go for them? It's not like Nintendo hasn't had bad consolss before and when their consoles have failed, they failed hard. Like the WiiU with a miniscule 13 million sales. I think the GameCube barely broke 20 million. Anyway, I do genuinely hope people don't let Nintendo's golden boy status blind them to how unacceptable this all is. If we let Nintendo get away with that console price and those game prices and all that nickel and dimming with online services then the console market is just going to be royally screwed (the entire gaming industry will be for consumers).
Everything that Nintendo and Sony have done this generation have told me to just NEVER ever support them again. From the pricing (before Nintendo pushed for $80 games, Sony pushed hard for $70 games) to ludicrousness like trying to patent basic game mechanics in an entire genre. The price of their latest consoles (the PS5 Pro is insane) and exclusivity deals can miff me off but ultimately that's it. I acknowledge they game they choose to play even if I don't like it. And in the past I'd always try to get all consoles over a generation, but lately it's gone so much further to the point that their anti consumerism is staining the entire industry. Nintendo shouldn't be allowed to get away with something Xbox wouldn't, especially when said thing has genuine negative impact on gamers in the industry all around. A $450 Switch means that the next gen Xbox and PS WILL cost $600 minimum. Probably $700 based on the PS5 Pro. If we let Nintendo sell us $80 games when Nintendo games have lower cost and development scope then every game will start at $80 in the very near future. And people keep citing inflation or tough times and that gaming is a luxury, and okay but have wages been rising? As these companies are charging us more for everything are they also paying us more? Are they hiring more people? Nintendo I can say I haven't heard of layoffs from, but the entire industry has had a massive issue and seen insane layoffs for the past few years now. And what Nintendo does and what we let them do has a massive impact on the whole industry. They don't exist in a happy go lucky bubble. Why are we letting these corporations blatantly screw us over and spit on us for the trouble?? How can any consumer defend these actions? Like truly. It is our job as consumers to advocate for what is best FOR US. Let Nintendo argue for why we should pay $150 more than the starting price of the Nintendo Switch for hardware that's still underpowered compared to the rest of the console market and a cost that isn't that much lower than PC handhelds while still having all the detriments of gaming on console in a closed system that's meant to be subsidized. However us consumers should only ever either argue why it's not worth that price or why we on an individual level think it is. We should never attack each other and defend the business. We should dismiss and diminish the very clearly many people who don't accept this price.
@Banjo- they are for sure throwing Japan a bone on this one. Which Japan has buttered the bread for Nintendo with the Switch. Undercuts Sony, but still i hear what you are saying. Nintendo could find themselves selling a ton of switch 1’s due to price and thats a good spot for them to be in. Plus it will for sure make sure switch outsells PS2. I think for a little while Switch 2 will be a hard sell for kids at that price
The problem is that the Switch 2 is only a moderate improvement from the Switch. Some of Nintendo own promotional material has shown that the Zelda game takes 19 seconds to load on the Switch but with the Switch 2 using a Switch 2 version of the same game it an amazing 14 seconds. Not really a big improvement in loading time in my opinion.
This is much more like Kutaragi's PS3 price quote, that people would get a 2nd job to get one.
The similarity with Mattrick's quote is superficial.
@HarmanSmith You liked that guy? Was he also the proverbial boss during the 360 era? With this being the only thing people remember?
@Elbow Yeah good shout, agreed, I'm going with it being an under-performer due to people, especially parents thinking they already have one at home and some of them won't have knowledge or some insight into the specification of the Switch 2 so they won't bother.
Edit: and with all of this pricing & tarrifs fiasco, that will make it worse but let's not get into that.
@WildConcept6 We'll see. I think the Switch 2 will sell just fine.
As for costs: there has never been a cheaper time to be a gamer. Between F2P AAA games, Mobile, Apple Arcade and Game Pass you can spend so little and get so much, more than any other generation. But you aren't entitled to the latest hardware or every game/platform you want... and inflation exists.
@themightyant
Sony says "For The Players", you say "Luxury"
Believe you me, I do not like sony at all, but I am kind'a leaning towards "for the players" motto.
I actually don’t agree that Doug Bowser was sounding as careless.
But I can say that Switch 2 kinda botched the launch and I’m thinking about switching to an Xbox from my Switch 1
If your actually upset about the pricing you better not be preordering. No corporation cares what's posted online if the product flies off the shelf.
@WildConcept6 You are absolutely right. As a long-time Nintendo fan, I wrote on NL that Switch 2 is combining the worst things of every other company, while not improving Nintendo's own shortcomings. Regarding employment, obviously, Nintendo doesn't hire as many employees as other developers, but they also outsource development a lot since Switch and some of those studios say that are not well paid. Obviously, a Japanese studio would never say such a thing, but ex-employees of the Metroid Dread developer did.
At the end of the day, the good things about Nintendo were the affordable hardware, the innovative games and the consumer-friendly deals, like dodgy yet free online. Switch 2 has PS4 level of power according to Digital Foundry. Like Sony's, Nintendo's console is a walled garden where even cloud saves and resolution upgrades are behind a paywall, not to mention the phone app and the tech demo.
Nintendo's games, that cost less to develop and don't need to pay extra for royalties and cartridges are more expensive than any other. I think that the new president has a lot to do with all this and I predict significantly lower sales for Switch hardware and software. Early sales will be impressive like Switch and Wii U, but no way Nintendo is bound to repeat the success of Switch, and that's actually good news for console fans.
@Kaloudz Nah, I don't like the guy - but I like that we still can get a laugh every decade or so with his infamous line, lol.
BTW, IIRC, the guy interviewing Don was Geoff Keighley, right? How things have changed for those gentlemen in 10 years...
@HarmanSmith Yeah that's him doing the interview 😂 I literally think his whole "Stick with 360? That's your message?" Made it 1000 times worse than it already was.
@Kaloudz Yeah, Geoff truly put the nail in the coffin in Mattrick's job 😂.
I guess in 2043 when one executive from SoTendoSoft presents the Switch Series Y/Z Pro 9, we will have a good ole “Don Mattrick moment”, lol.
The first problem is that the Switch 2 has the same price range as the ps5 series Xbox but only has the performance of a ps4. The next huge problem for Nintendo is that they are opening up voice chat, but don't seem to have a system in place to moderate it like MS and Sony have.
@themightyant thank you for saying this mate. I’ve been getting annoyed seeing people melting down on various social media outlets about the price. Last time I checked gaming has gone up with each new generation. Due to inflation, weakening purchasing power etc…. But it can be said that each new generation brought more value in terms of hardware and software even if a little incremental. In the grand scheme gaming is just a vanity hobby. No one is entitled to it. Just like everything else. Also like you and I, blokes that work at these companies need compensation and benefits too. And manufacturing costs are increasing due to semiconductor demand.
@HonestHick 449 is a great price as we are getting steam deck specs or even better (dlss and stuff), also screen is 1080p120 with HDR (not oled but very decent). so I have no problem with that. I also has modern games on launch when switch 1 struggled even with older games at that era.
I totally agree game pricing is a problem. However, honestly 70 was a lot already for many. Its not like $70 is nothing but $80 is impossible. I personally think there are games that bring so much fun and also long that irs worth 80-90 or even 100 easily. we all can name those.
The problems is games like luigi mansion (lets say 4th releases) and it costs $80 for 10hr of gameplay...I am not sure. And they dont go on sale.
Pricing will go up everywhere unfortunately. Watch for MS and Sony to follow.
Bottom line: Mario Kart, 3d Zelda, Animal Crossing, Smash Bros, 3d Mario, Mario Party - sure even at $80 is very decent. A lot of fun, many hours of gameplay.
But I dont want to pay $80 for Gameboy ports, another pokemon reskin game or something short like Luigi mansion.
@Banjo- for paid upgrades we can blame Sony. Also a lot of 3rd party even on xbox still sold you those cross-gen editions that cost 70 and not 60 early this gen.
I would say $10 is fine for upgrade if its a really decent update or have new content. Like kirby will have new levels. Sony did good job with Horizon remastered.
@Rodimusprime13 switch 2 is reportedly up to 10 times more powerful than 1. barely a moderate improvement. its a jump from subpar ps3 to ps4 pro. its the biggest across current consoles, definitely bigger than ps4 to ps5.
Switch 1 could not handle some ps3 games at all, while 2nd can run modern games like elden ring or cp77 and looks better than ps4 versions of these.
@HarmanSmith Lmao!
@Millionski yeah i hear what you are saying for sure. They have this odd pricing that some are $70 and others are $80. It just seems odd. I just assumed they would do $70 for all and call it a day. But like you said throw in the fact Nintendo games don’t go on sale very often and when they do it’s not all that much. That will make it tough on some family’s. I could see Switch 1 continuing to sell well for a while.i still want one, and will likely buy it when it’s in stock. But the software is a little out of touch on pricing.
@Millionski But the price is very steep. It's selling for $630 and $700 with Mario Cart. I was able to get a deal on a Series S and it good enough for me. Gamestop is really trying to promote and sell the Switch 2 but it price tag is a bit much. Right now the Switch 2 is selling for the same price range as the PS5 and series X.
@themightyant i completely agree! I don't see nintendo stop bringing games to the switch 1. They are going to try and squeeze as much as they can out of that thing before they discontinue it. Besides I don't really have a problem with it being 450 for the system. Microsoft xbox series x is 450 for the digital edition. Yes the xbox series s is cheaper but you don't get the solid portability of the switch or switch 2.
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