Former PlayStation executive Shawn Layden has voiced support for the anticipated price increases of Nintendo Switch 2 games, stating that the gaming industry has delayed necessary price adjustments for too long. The ex-Sony Computer Entertainment president, who spent over 30 years with the company before departing in 2019, believes incremental price hikes should have occurred with each new console generation rather than hitting consumers with a sudden increase.

During a recent appearance on the Player Driven YouTube series, Layden commented: "Nintendo is simply ripping off the Band-Aid by establishing $80 as the new standard for premium games on their next platform." He suggests a more gradual approach would have been preferable, with each console generation incorporating a modest $5 price increase.

Layden provided crucial context about historical pricing, noting that "$59.99 in 1999 equates to approximately $100 today." Official data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics confirms his argument, showing 94.54% cumulative inflation since 1999 - meaning today's $60 games would actually cost about $117 when adjusted for inflation.

Industry analyst Lewis Ward, who appeared alongside Layden, emphasized that development costs have skyrocketed at a much faster pace than retail prices. Modern AAA games often require budgets exceeding $100 million, yet their base prices have remained stagnant for nearly two decades.

Layden highlighted Nintendo's unique position to implement price increases more successfully than competitors. Unlike Sony and Microsoft, Nintendo maintains tight control over its iconic franchises - Mario, Zelda, and Pokémon games rarely appear outside Nintendo hardware. This exclusivity creates stronger perceived value for Nintendo's first-party titles.

This approach contrasts sharply with Microsoft's recent strategy under Phil Spencer, whose showcases now prominently feature multi-platform availability. Nintendo's walled garden ecosystem may prove more resilient to consumer resistance against higher prices.

As the gaming industry continues evolving, the Nintendo Switch 2's pricing strategy could set important precedents for how publishers balance development costs against consumer expectations in an era of economic uncertainty.