Nintendo to Increase Price of Switch 2 Console Starting in September
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Japanese video game company, Nintendo, has announced that it will raise the price of the Switch 2 console and other Nintendo accessories starting in September 2026.
As stated on the company’s official website on Friday (8/5) local time, this price increase is in response to various market condition changes expected to continue in the medium to long term.
“Considering changes in market conditions and global business prospects, Nintendo will revise the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the Nintendo Switch 2 system and the Nintendo Switch system in Japan,” the company’s announcement reads.
The website mentions that the Switch 2 price increase in its home country, Japan, will see the manufacturer’s suggested retail price rise from the current 49,980 yen to 59,980 yen, effective from 25 May.
Given that the impact of various market condition changes is expected to last in the medium to long term, a price revision is also planned outside Japan, namely a $50 US increase for markets in the United States, Canada, and Europe from 1 September 2026.
“We sincerely apologise for any impact this price revision may have on our customers and other stakeholders, and we greatly appreciate your understanding,” the statement on their official website reads.
Quoted from the Cnet website on Sunday (10/5) local time, the company stated that since its launch in June last year, the new Switch 2 console’s price was feared to be affected by tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump in April 2025.
Meanwhile, the reasons for the cost increase also include rising material prices applicable to all current technology, namely the global memory shortage, known as “RAMageddon”.
This issue began at the end of 2025, when a surge in demand for generative AI devices drove increased computer needs to support AI data centres. This caused an increase in the cost of RAM modules, and in turn, the prices of devices using them also had to rise to accommodate it. 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB DDR5 RAM is still several times more expensive than in 2024.
The company is also raising prices on the first-generation Switch, Switch OLED, and Switch Lite by around 8,000 to 10,000 yen, while accessories will see a price increase of $5 or $10 US.
Besides RAM, other computer components like solid-state drives (SSDs) have in many cases experienced multiple price increases for the same reasons.
Nintendo is not the only one feeling the impact of this memory shortage. Sony had to raise the price of the PS5 Pro from $750 to $900 US. Microsoft also made similar adjustments to their Xbox Series X and S consoles. Meanwhile, Valve had to delay the release of the home PC console Steam Machine due to the shortage, and it is still unclear what the price will be.