On April 2, Nintendo introduced its brand new Nintendo Switch 2 home video game system to the world via an online video presentation. The system had been confirmed as being in development for several years and is the followup to the hugely successful Nintendo Switch video game console that debuted in 2017. Anticipation was running high for a look at the new console and games, and overall, Nintendo did not disappoint, albeit with some controversy. The home video game market has been in a constant state of transition thanks to readily available high speed internet access, as most games can now be distributed digitally online instead of in physical form. This benefits the manufacturer of these games more than the end consumer, however, as the company can directly control the price of the product, decide how it is distributed, as well as have no physical manufacturing costs. Over the past few years, collectors and enthusiasts of all forms of physical media have been pushing back against the adoption of an all-digital future. Both Sony and Microsoft experienced this backlash firsthand. Microsoft, creators of the Xbox line of video game systems, has been pushing for an all-digital video game future. Some of the games they have released for their newest Xbox platform require the owner to still download online content to be able to play the game, and the company has also been accused of limiting the amount of physical copies they make, causing consumers to have no choice but to buy digital copies instead. Sony, makers of the popular PlayStation 5 and Nintendos biggest direct competitor, have taken a softer stance to ensure physical copies of their games are readily available, but both companies have been pushing for an all-digital future. Both Sony and Microsoft make popular versions of their current video game systems without physical media drives should a user wish to simply play and purchase content online without the ability to play games in physical form. Nintendo alleviated many physical media collectors fears when they confirmed that the Nintendo Switch 2 would still feature physical game cards and the system would be backwards compatible with most original Nintendo Switch games and accessories. There were, however, a couple of caveats with this announcement that caused a lot of diehard Nintendo fans to be disappointed. The first of these announcements was the fact that Nintendo is now increasing the cost of their video games across the board, with physical versions priced significantly higher than before. Mario Kart World is the long awaited sequel to the Mario Kart franchise and the flagship launch title for the new Nintendo Switch 2 system. Unfortunately, controversy erupted when fans learned that the game would have a retail price of $79.99 at launch. Up until this point the vast majority of home video games were priced at around $59.99 with a few handful of top tier titles being launched with $69.99 price tags. The long awaited Nintendo Switch masterpiece The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom game debuted with a $69.99 retail price, but within months after its release it could be seen selling for a more acceptable $59.99. Video game manufacturers have quickly learned that collectors of physical media will pay a premium to get these games, and to be fair, even back in the 1990s there were top tier video games that sold for $79.99 on systems like the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and the Nintendo 64. Factor in inflation, and those games would cost well over $100 today. Unfortunately, not all video game companies that will be making games for the Nintendo Switch 2 are on board with putting the full game on the game card, selling it for a premium, and calling it a day. There is a growing trend where certain publishers will put only part of the game on the game card and package it with a special online download key that requires the user to still go online to get the rest of the game. The problem here is that eventually the Nintendo Switch servers will be shut down just like the now defunct Nintendo Wii online shop was when that system was discontinued and, as a result, gamers and collectors will lose access to some of these games. This is causing a backlash from serious video game collectors and preservationists who have vowed to never purchase these kinds of games. Unfortunately, these types of games are typically cheaper, and in a world where physical video games are starting to cost $80 or more, cash strapped consumers will most likely embrace this trend. As a hardcore collector who used to own a successful collectible video game business, I obviously have a commitment towards true physical media. I have pushed back extensively against the music industry and even the online movie streaming platforms who have taken away the individuals right to own actual complete physical versions of these relics. Furthermore, I have no problem with manufacturers charging a premium for these items if this is indeed a future we need accept, just as long as we can still collect and own these coveted artifacts going forward. Incidentally, the final element of controversy surrounding the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 console was outside of Nintendos control. Less than 48 hours after the console was shown to eager fans, the admistration announced an ongoing trade war that could likely increase the price of this console and its games when it debuts in the United States, now delayed to June 5. Nintendo has already priced the system at $449.99 for just the base system, or $499.99 for a version that is bundled with a digital copy of Mari Kart World. Nintendo cannot guarantee what the price will be at the time of launch. Unfortunately, for avid video game enthusiasts the Nintendo Switch 2 could potentially be a very expensive proposition. But at least until the dust settles, we all have our original Nintendo Switch systems to hold us over until they too become collectible relics of the past. It certainly is a very interesting time to be alive, thats for sure! Shawn Surmick has been an avid collector since the age of 12. He currently resides in his hometown of Boyertown, Pa., and is a passionate collector of antiques and collectibles. His articles focus on various topics affecting the marketplace.