Nintendo’s recent Mario Kart World Direct showcased several exciting new features for the open-world racing game on the Nintendo Switch 2. Among the highlights were a rewind feature and new items to use against opponents. Notably, a footnote in the announcement revealed that the Mario Kart World Switch 2 Bundle will only be available until fall 2025. Although the exact number of units remains undisclosed, the limited availability suggests the bundle will be highly sought after once it releases. Unfortunately, pricing information for those in North America is still pending, and we’re unsure when purchases will be possible.
Initially, Mario Kart World and its Switch 2 bundle were set to open for pre-orders on April 9. However, this was put on hold following the announcement of tariffs affecting the United States. While the game’s price of $79.99 might not be heavily affected by tariffs, consumers are eager to save any amount they can. The Switch 2 bundle, which includes a copy of Mario Kart World, raises the console’s price from $449.99 to $499.99. Assuming no changes in pre-tariff pricing, this bundle is expected to sell out quickly regardless of cost.
The Nintendo Switch 2 marks the first major console release since the near-simultaneous 2020 launches of Sony’s PlayStation 5 and Microsoft’s Xbox Series X. The PS5 faced extreme scarcity due to factors like chip shortages and scalpers, with availability issues persisting until 2023.
While online retailers have implemented various strategies to combat scalping of the Nintendo Switch 2, meeting the demand is expected to be challenging. A popular question at Polygon has been, “How quickly could Nintendo shift Switch 2 production to the U.S.?” Unless the answer is “before November,” don’t expect any Black Friday discounts on the console or its bundle.
