When the Switch 2 launched, we noticed that the My Nintendo Store in Spain was showing a 10€ upcharge for physical versions of first-party games compared to digital. At the time, that pricing discrepancy wasn’t reflected in the U.S., where both formats were priced the same. That’s changing starting in May 2026.
Nintendo announced that beginning with preorders for Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, new Nintendo-published digital titles exclusive to Switch 2 will carry a lower MSRP than their physical counterparts in the U.S. Yoshi and the Mysterious Book releases on May 21 and is priced at $59.99 for the digital version and $69.99 for physical. That’s a $10 difference, which is consistent with the European pricing structure that’s been in place since the Switch 2’s launch.
Nintendo says the change reflects the different costs associated with producing and distributing each format, and it gives players more choice in how they buy and play. The company also noted that retail partners set their own prices for physical and digital games, so pricing may vary. Despite what gamers want to think, it’s a straightforward move that makes sense. Physical games come with manufacturing, shipping, and retail costs that digital versions don’t, and this is essentially Nintendo passing those savings along (if you’re an optimist). Whether this eventually extends to third-party publishers remains to be seen, but don’t be surprised if others follow Nintendo’s lead as physical media continues to decline.
