I Calculated How Much Every Splatoon Game Would Cost, and the Answer Depends on the Availability of One Nintendo Console

Why It Matters

Regional supply constraints make retro‑console bundles significantly more expensive, affecting gamers’ budgeting and the preservation of legacy titles. Anticipated next‑gen hardware will raise the total cost of completing the Splatoon franchise even higher.

Key Takeaways

• US bundle costs about $750; UK bundle exceeds $1,200.
• Wii U price disparity stems from limited first‑hand units overseas.
• Switch sales top 155 million, dwarfing Wii U’s six million.
• Including DLC, Splatoon 2 totals $70, Splatoon 3 $77.
• Future Splatoon Raiders on Switch 2 could double franchise cost.

Pulse Analysis

The total cost of owning every Splatoon title plus the hardware required to play them varies dramatically between the United States and the United Kingdom. In the U.S., a complete set—Wii U, Switch, Splatoon 1, Splatoon 2 with the Octo Expansion, and Splatoon 3 with the Side Order DLC—runs roughly $750. Across the Atlantic, the same bundle climbs to over £900, or about $1,200, largely because the Wii U commands a premium price in a market where first‑hand units are scarce. This price gap illustrates how regional supply constraints can inflate retro‑console bundles.

The Wii U’s modest sales—about six million units in the Americas and just 3.73 million elsewhere—have turned it into a collector’s item, especially in Europe where refurbished stock is limited. Nintendo’s decision to discontinue the console in 2017 left a thin supply chain, driving up new‑old‑stock prices. For gamers, this scarcity not only raises the entry cost for legacy titles like Splatoon 1 but also poses challenges for game preservation, as fewer functional consoles mean fewer opportunities to archive and experience the software in its original form.

Looking ahead, the upcoming Splatoon Raiders, slated for the next‑generation Switch 2, threatens to push the franchise’s total ownership cost into the four‑figure range. Early estimates suggest the Switch 2 will cost nearly as much as the current Switch and Wii U combined, and Raiders will add another premium price tag. While the new hardware promises enhanced performance and fresh gameplay, budget‑conscious fans must weigh the value of expanding a collection against the escalating expense of keeping pace with Nintendo’s evolving ecosystem.