Nintendo Switch 2: The new “C” button, mandatory subscription, high prices, and Zelda updates

The gaming community is up in arms after a series of news reports directly affecting Nintendo Switch users. On one hand, leaks point to the addition of a new "C" button on upcoming models of the hybrid console; on the other, it is claimed that this button would only be available for those with an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription , rekindling the debate over aggressive business practices.

Adding to this is the growing discontent over the exorbitant prices of games on the eShop and the recent confirmation that Nintendo will sell graphical upgrades for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild , two already highly profitable titles, which many fans consider an abuse.

Leaks about the new "C" button suggest it could be an additional control that could enable new camera functions or shortcuts within games. In theory, this would expand gameplay possibilities, but it also implies a clear divide between players who upgrade their hardware and those who stick with older models.

Most controversial, however, is the circulating rumor that this button could only be used if you have an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription , which would turn a physical function of the controller into a service subject to monthly or annual fees. This has been described as "a backdoor to imposing online service," as it limits the use of hardware users have already purchased.

Nintendo Switch Online, whose basic plan starts at $19.99 a year and can rise to nearly $50 if the expansion pack is included, is one of the most criticized subscriptions in the industry for offering fewer benefits than its direct competitors like PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass. The idea of ​​tying hardware features, like the "C" button, to this service exacerbates the resentment of users who already feel they're paying too much just to enable online play and some classic titles.

The cost issue doesn't end there. In recent years, Nintendo fans have denounced the exorbitant prices of even older games , such as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe , which more than six years after its release still costs nearly $60 on the eShop. This policy contrasts with the frequent discounts offered by other platforms like Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox.

Maintaining high prices seems like a deliberate strategy to maintain the perceived value of their franchises, but it ends up harming users who want access to iconic titles at reasonable prices.

The final straw was the announcement that Nintendo would be releasing paid graphical upgrades for Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild , two games that have already broken sales records. These improvements would include 4K textures and advanced lighting effects, but they would be sold as add-on content rather than free upgrades for those who already purchased the games.

On forums like Reddit and Twitter, thousands of fans have expressed their outrage , arguing that “paying twice for the same game” has become a constant in the industry and that Nintendo, one of the most valuable companies in the sector, should reward its loyal customers with free upgrades.

Taken together, the combination of new hardware with features locked behind subscriptions , inflated game prices , and paid upgrades for existing titles reflect a strategy that, for many gamers, puts Nintendo's financial interests above the satisfaction of its user base.

Many point out that Nintendo continues to rely on the power of its franchises and nostalgia to maintain high prices and restrictive conditions, but warn that fans' patience could run out, especially at a time when the market offers more alternatives than ever.

Players are demanding that Nintendo reconsider policies like tying hardware features to subscriptions , adjusting its game prices to more affordable standards, and offering graphical upgrades as part of the original experience for those who have already paid for titles. The company's response to this growing discontent could define its relationship with millions of users going forward with the Switch and beyond.