Nintendo has officially announced upcoming price increases for the Switch 2, citing shifting market dynamics as the primary driver. These adjustments will roll out in Japan first before expanding to other international markets in the coming months.
Price Adjustments in Japan
Effective May 25, the Japanese market will see the following MSRP updates for the Switch 2 and the legacy Switch lineup:
- Nintendo Switch 2: ¥59,980 (increased from ¥49,980). Note: The Multi-Language System available via the My Nintendo Store remains unaffected.
- Nintendo Switch (OLED Model): ¥47,980 (increased from ¥37,980).
- Nintendo Switch: ¥43,980 (increased from ¥32,978).
- Nintendo Switch Lite: ¥29,980 (increased from ¥21,978).
Additionally, Nintendo plans to raise the cost of Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions in Japan starting July 1. While similar adjustments are slated for South Korea at a later date, specific details for other global regions regarding subscription pricing have yet to be disclosed. Further information can be found via the official Nintendo press release.
Global Market Impact
For players in the US, Canada, and Europe, the price hike specifically targets the Switch 2, with the new pricing taking effect on September 1:
- United States: $499.99 (formerly $449.99)
- Canada: $679.99 (formerly $629.99)
- Europe: €499.99 (formerly €469.99)
It is worth noting that the new standard price for a standalone Switch 2 now matches the previous cost of the now-discontinued Mario Kart world bundle. Nintendo has indicated that further price revisions are planned for additional, currently unspecified regions. This development follows recent reports that the Switch 2 has reached nearly 20 million units sold, though the company anticipates a cooling of sales figures for the upcoming fiscal year.
With the Switch 2 having launched globally on June 5, 2025, Japanese consumers are facing a price increase less than one year after the system’s debut, with Western regions set to follow later this year. Those in the US, Canada, and Europe who have been considering a purchase now have a roughly four-month window to secure the hardware at current price points.
The Switch 2 was one of the final pieces of gaming hardware to maintain its original price point amidst a broader trend of industry-wide cost increases over the past year. Major competitors, including the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, have already implemented multiple price hikes within the last 8 to 10 months. These adjustments reflect larger economic pressures, including rising costs for manufacturing components like RAM, which have impacted hardware pricing across the entire technology sector.
In other Nintendo news, long-time director Takashi Tezuka announced his retirement today. Additionally, Nintendo recently confirmed that a remake of Star Fox 64 is slated to arrive on the Switch 2 this June.
