Nintendo announces Switch 2 price increase, consoles will soon be $500 in the US
Nintendo has announced a global price increase for the Switch 2 console, citing market conditions and component shortages. The price hikes will roll out across different regions on different dates.
In the United States, Canada, and Europe, the price increases take effect on September 1, 2026. The US price will rise from $449.99 to $499.99 (a $50 increase), while Canadian pricing climbs from $629.99 to $679.99 (also $50 CAD). In Europe, the Switch 2 will increase by approximately €30, reaching €499.99.
Japan faces earlier and steeper increases, effective May 25, 2026. The Japanese-language Switch 2 model will rise from ¥49,980 to ¥59,980 (a ¥10,000 increase). Additional price increases are also being applied to the original Switch and Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions across these markets.
Nintendo attributed the price increases to “various changes in market conditions,” which company president Shuntaro Furukawa previously linked to a memory shortage stemming from widespread AI data center investments. The announcement follows investor pressure regarding the console’s profitability.
Despite the price hikes, the Switch 2 remains a commercial success. Since its June 2025 launch, the console has sold nearly 20 million units in approximately 10 months, making it Nintendo’s fastest-selling console ever. The console is currently 5 million units ahead of the original Switch at the same point in its lifecycle.
Nintendo forecasts that Switch 2 hardware sales will decline during the console’s second year. The company estimates 16.5 million units will sell during fiscal 2027 (April 2026–March 2027), attributing the decline to concentrated first-year sales and the upcoming price adjustments. Nevertheless, Switch 2 sales are expected to remain ahead of where the original Switch was during its second year, demonstrating continued consumer demand despite the higher entry price.
Sources
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