After months of speculation, Nintendo has announced the Switch 2 is getting a price hike across the globe. Rising component costs have put pressure on hardware manufacturers throughout the past year, though some products have managed to stave off any major changes. Sadly, the Nintendo Switch 2 no longer falls into that category and will be more expensive before the year is up.
Disappointing as it may be, the bump does not come as a surprise. Analysts have suggested the console could get pricier in light of the ongoing RAM shortage for a while now, and more recently, it was reported that investors were pressuring Nintendo to raise Switch 2 prices given current market volatility. Still, the company had weathered the macroeconomic storm for months without charging consumers more for the console, but that time has come to an end.
Nintendo Reportedly Reducing Switch 2 Production Due to Lower Demand
Reports indicate that Nintendo will be producing less Switch 2 consoles than originally planned as sales dip in the United States.
Nintendo is Raising Switch 2 Prices in Multiple Countries
In a May 8 press release, Nintendo announced that it would raise the price of the Switch 2 due to “changes in market conditions” in several countries. That includes an increase of $50 in the U.S., taking the console to a grand total of $499.99, $50 in Canada, €30 in Europe, and ¥10,000 in Japan. While many of these bumps are smaller than last year’s original Switch price hikes in terms of the percentage change, it’s still a frustrating development for anyone who was planning on grabbing a Switch 2 but hasn’t yet. Still, there is some time to get the console while it costs less, as these changes will take effect on May 25, 2026, in Japan and September 1, 2026, in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
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Nintendo Switch 2 Price Changes
|
Original Price |
Revised Price |
% Change |
|
|
Japan |
¥49,980 |
¥59,980 |
20% |
|
U.S. |
$449.99 |
$499.99 |
11% |
|
Canada |
$629.99 |
$679.99 |
7.9% |
|
Europe |
€469.99 |
€499.99 |
6.38% |
Interestingly, the relative change is far greater in Japan than in any other region. However, the Switch 2 was cheaper in Japan to begin with, so it does make some sense that the region would see the biggest increase as production costs rise. Japan is also the only country getting additional price changes aside from the Switch 2. The original Switch, Switch Lite, and Switch OLED Model will all be more expensive in the nation starting on May 25, too, followed by Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions in July.
While Nintendo did not specify the precise reason behind these changes, component shortages are almost certainly to blame, at least in part. Rising RAM costs and dwindling availability have affected multiple other hardware companies, and while Nintendo initially said it had enough stock to withstand the disruption, the market has yet to calm down. Micron has predicted the RAM shortage could last beyond 2026, and given how Nintendo raised its prices after “considering the global business outlook,” it seems the gaming giant may be inclined to agree.
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These adjustments mean every major console company has now raised the prices of their flagship systems in the past year. The Xbox Series X and S got two price hikes in 2025, PS5 consoles rose by as much as $200 from their launch price in 2026, and the Steam Machine is still in limbo as Valve determines how to approach its price and release date given macroeconomic strain. It’s an unfortunate situation with no clear end in sight, so anyone hoping to grab a new console may want to do so soon.
Source: Nintendo
