Nintendo Switch 2 Is Getting More Expensive Starting September 1
- Sagar Mankar
- 40 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Nintendo has officially announced a price hike for the Switch 2 across multiple regions, with the changes set to take effect on September 1, 2026.
The company cited "changes in market conditions" as the driving factor behind the decision, noting that these conditions are expected to "extend over the medium to long term."
The new prices are as follows:
Nintendo Switch 2
US: $449.99 to $499.99
Canada: $629.99 to $679.99
Europe: €469.99 to €499.99
Japan (Japanese-Language System): ¥49,980 to ¥59,980 (effective May 25, 2026)
Nintendo Switch (Japan only, effective May 25, 2026)
Switch OLED Model: ¥37,980 to ¥47,980
Switch Standard: ¥32,978 to ¥43,980
Switch Lite: ¥21,978 to ¥29,980
Nintendo Switch Online (Japan only, effective July 1, 2026)
Individual 1 month: ¥306 to ¥400
Individual 3 months: ¥815 to ¥1,000
Individual 12 months: ¥2,400 to ¥3,000
Family 12 months: ¥4,500 to ¥5,800
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack (Japan only, effective July 1, 2026)
Individual 12 months: ¥4,900 to ¥5,900
Family 12 months: ¥8,900 to ¥9,900
Nintendo also confirmed that price revisions for both the Switch 2 and the original Switch lineup are being planned for additional regions, with further details to be shared by local subsidiaries.
Why Is This Happening?
A few factors are piling on at once. The AI boom has created a significant strain on RAM and semiconductor supply chains, making components harder and more expensive to source. Reports have suggested that AI data centers are essentially competing with consumer electronics manufacturers for the same parts. Valve has reportedly been facing similar issues getting its Steam Machine out.
On top of that, the ongoing Israel-Iran war has pushed up global logistics and shipping costs. US tariffs are adding further pressure. In short, the global supply chain situation is messy, and Nintendo is not immune to it.
As per earlier reports, Nintendo investors in Japan had reportedly been urging the company to follow Sony and Microsoft in raising prices, especially since Switch 2 units were apparently being sold at a loss.
Not Just Nintendo
To put it in perspective, all three major console manufacturers have now raised prices during this hardware generation:
PS5: Launched at $499, now priced at $649
Xbox Series X: Launched at $499, now priced at $649
Nintendo Switch 2: Launched at $449, moving to $499
How Is Switch 2 Performing?
Despite the price changes, the Switch 2 has been doing reasonably well. Nintendo confirmed that the console has sold 19.86 million units since its June 2025 launch, which is actually higher than what the original Switch posted in its first full fiscal year. Annual active players have also exceeded 100 million.
That said, Nintendo has acknowledged that "Switch 2 sales were more concentrated in the launch year in comparison to previous hardware systems." For the current fiscal year ending March 2027, Nintendo is forecasting 16.50 million units, a roughly 17% year-on-year decline. The company attributed this to both the strong launch-year performance and the upcoming price revisions.
On the software side, Nintendo is more optimistic, projecting unit sales to rise from 48.71 million to 60 million this year.
"We sincerely apologize for the impact these price revisions may have on our customers and other stakeholders, and we deeply appreciate your understanding," Nintendo stated in its closing statement.
If you were planning to grab a Switch 2 before things get pricier, you have until August 31 to do so at the current rate.