Nintendo will begin charging different prices for digital and physical versions of its first party Switch 2 games from May, marking a notable shift in how the company sells its titles.

The change will debut with Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, launching May 21, which is priced at around A$95 digitally and A$110 physically. Previously, Nintendo’s first-party titles typically carried the same price regardless of format.

Nintendo said the move “reflects the different costs associated with producing and distributing each format” while giving players more choice in how they purchase games.

Retailers will still be able to set their own pricing, meaning local variations are expected.

For Australian consumers, pricing details are yet to be confirmed, though industry watchers expect a noticeable gap between formats when local figures are announced.

The shift is likely to benefit players who favour digital downloads, offering a cheaper and more convenient option. But it may frustrate collectors and those who prefer physical media, particularly as some Switch 2 “game cards” now function as download keys rather than containing full game data.

The move also signals a broader industry trend. Rising manufacturing costs, including memory shortages linked to AI demand and ongoing global supply pressures, are increasing the expense of producing physical media.

Nintendo has previously experimented with regional price differences between formats, and similar pricing structures are already in place in parts of Europe and the UK.