Xbox was already set to benefit from the Switch 2 with its third-party strategy, but some of the strange decisions that Nintendo has made have boosted the reputation of Xbox overnight, especially when it comes to the pricing debate.
So, I'm just throwing a little something together here - five ways that the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal has been a huge win for Xbox, and surprisingly so in some cases! Let's get cracking:
Switch 2's Game Prices Make Xbox Game Pass Look Incredible
You've probably already heard about the extortionate price of Mario Kart World on the Nintendo Switch 2, and while not every Switch 2 game will reach that level, it's clear that Nintendo wants to set a first-party precedent for the future. A price increase was bound to happen at some point, but the reaction has been pretty charged to say the least.
From an Xbox perspective, this makes Xbox Game Pass look incredible! Microsoft is still putting Xbox first-party games into Game Pass Ultimate on day one at no extra charge, which seems like unbelievable value when Nintendo is charging up to $80 for just one of their games. It also means that Microsoft may want to increase the price of Game Pass...
Paid Upgrades Are Highlighting The Beauty Of Xbox Smart Delivery
One of the things I expected from the Switch 2 was that older Switch 1 games would be getting enhanced versions for the new console, but again there's a bit of disappointment around the need to pay for these upgraded editions. There are some freebies on the way, and Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members will get access to a couple of Zelda Switch 2 editions at launch, but the majority of these upgrades will require some kind of payment.
Paid upgrades are nothing new on Xbox consoles, of course, but you don't typically see them for Xbox first-party games. When the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S came out in 2020, a new feature called Xbox Smart Delivery allowed everyone to get free upgrades at no extra charge for the likes of Gears 5, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Forza Horizon 4 and so much more, and I'm reminded today how great and evidently generous that feature has been!
There's Room To Maneuver With Game And Console Prices
When it comes to those high game prices for the Switch 2 as mentioned earlier, Microsoft (and Sony, and any other publishing team) will probably be pretty excited about the potential of charging more money for their titles in the future. Sure, there's a bit of backlash around it right now, but don't be surprised if it becomes the accepted norm before long.
It's not just the games as well. Think about the next Xbox console and the PS6 - if Nintendo is charging $499 with a pack-in title for the Nintendo Switch 2, you'd probably guess that a more powerful Xbox and PlayStation would have to be at least $100 more than that. Phil Spencer has talked about a desire not to reach crazy levels with pricing for the next Xbox console, but it may not end up being his decision anyway - and perhaps it's just unavoidable.
It Seems Powerful Enough To Run Most Xbox First-Party Games
Microsoft has made no secret of wanting to bring loads of Xbox first-party games to the PlayStation 5, and it's been reported that the same strategy is being applied to the Nintendo Switch 2. By the end of 2026, don't be surprised if the likes of Halo, Gears, Forza, Starfield (the list goes on!) are all playable in some form on Nintendo's new console.
Of course, this wasn't possible on the Switch 1 due to technical constraints, so we only ended up getting things like Ori and the Will of the Wisps and Grounded on that device. We now know that the Switch 2 is adding ports for Elden Ring, Cyberpunk 2077 and much more, so it shouldn't struggle with most things that Microsoft throws at it. Xbox's first-party developers are used to the Series S as well, which shares a fair bit in common with the Switch 2.
Switch 2's Price Might Fall In Line With The ASUS Xbox Handheld
As mentioned yesterday here at Pure Xbox, the Nintendo Switch 2 might surprisingly fall in-line with the ASUS Xbox handheld when it comes to price. It's been rumoured that the 2025 Xbox handheld will fall somewhere around the $499-$599 mark, and if it's on the lower end of that scale, it's going to make the decision tough for some consumers!
Look, Nintendo isn't going be concerned by the ASUS Xbox handheld - there's no chance that it could surpass the Switch 2 in terms of sales - but Microsoft and ASUS need to strategise here. We got our first tease of the device the other day - and now that the Switch 2's price is out there, and there's a bit a backlash over the whole game prices thing, is now the time to strike? Get an announcement out ASAP and highlight that over 1000 games are technically playable for free thanks to Xbox Play Anywhere? I'd be chomping at the bit to reveal this device before the week's out!
So, there you go. I wasn't expecting to Xbox to receive such positive press on social media this week, but I've definitely come across plenty of it - Microsoft is suddenly being praised for being generous with its pricing strategies!
The big question is what happens next. When are we going to hear about this Xbox handheld? Is Game Pass going to go up in price? Is GTA 6 going to set a new precedent by being $100 at launch? Will Halo, Forza and Gears cross over to the Switch 2 in the next few months? Whatever happens, it's going to be fascinating to observe from afar.
Do you agree with me on this, or do you think it hasn't been a huge win for Xbox? Tell me down below.
