Nintendo is raising the Switch 2's price by $50 in the United States less than a year after the console launched, citing "changes in market conditions" and component shortages driven by the AI boom. The hike takes effect September 1 in most regions, pushing the US price from $449.99 to $499.99. Japan gets hit earlier, with prices rising on May 25.
Canada climbs from $629.99 to $679.99, while Europe moves from 469.99 to 499.99. The U.S. increase of 12.5 percent is the steepest outside Japan, more than double the roughly 6 percent rise in Europe.
Nintendo confirmed the increases alongside its latest financial results and issued an apology. "We sincerely apologize for the impact these price revisions may have on our customers and other stakeholders, and we deeply appreciate your understanding," the company said, according to Nintendo Life. The price hike follows a trend across the industry. Sony raised PlayStation 5 prices in April, and Valve recently delayed its Steam Machine over component shortages.
Both Sony and Microsoft have increased console prices since their 2020 launches. The underlying culprit is the AI-driven RAM and component crisis that has squeezed hardware manufacturers for months. Nintendo's official notice cited expectations that market conditions would remain strained "over the medium to long term."
Nintendo's earnings report shows the Switch 2 sold 19.86 million units since its June 2025 launch, a strong start. But the company forecasts selling 16.5 million units in the current fiscal year, a nearly 17 percent decline, attributing this partly to "strong launch-year sales and price revisions." For buyers looking to dodge the $50 increase, there is a narrow window. The Switch 2 Super Mario Galaxy 1+2 bundle, offering a $20 discount on the console with both games, expires May 9.
After that, a base console purchased before September locks in the current $449.99 price.
One lingering question: how the price increase will affect existing bundles like the Mario Kart World edition, which currently sits at $499 MSRP. It is not yet clear whether retailers will absorb the change or pass on the extra $50.
