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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Nintendo says it raised the Switch 2’s hardware price because of broader market pressures—not because making games takes longer. In the United States, the console’s MSRP rose by $50, from $449.99 to $499.99, effective September 1, 2026. Nintendo cited rising memory and component prices, foreign-exchange trends, and oil prices as factors in its decision.
When does the Switch 2 price increase take effect?
Nintendo of America announced on May 7, 2026, that the U.S. Switch 2 MSRP would increase from $449.99 to $499.99 on September 1, 2026. The new MSRP is Nintendo’s listed price, not a guarantee that every retailer will charge that amount. Check a retailer’s current listing before buying. Nintendo of America’s price-change notice
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Nintendo Switch 2 System | $499.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Nintendo Switch 2 System with Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 Bundle | $568.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle with Bonus HDMI Cable & Screen Cleaning Cloth | $619.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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Nintendo also listed changes for Japan and Europe. The Japanese price is for the Japan-only Japanese-language system; the European figure is the price listed for My Nintendo Store. These are not directly interchangeable with the U.S. MSRP: Nintendo says Japan and Europe prices include tax, while U.S. prices exclude tax. Other regions are handled by local subsidiaries. Nintendo’s regional price table
| Market and system or listing | Previous price | New price | Effective date | Price basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States: Nintendo Switch 2 system | $449.99 | $499.99 | September 1, 2026 | MSRP; tax excluded |
| Japan: Japanese-language system, Japan-only | ¥49,980 | ¥59,980 | May 25, 2026 | Tax included |
| Europe: My Nintendo Store price | €469.99 | €499.99 | September 1, 2026 | Tax included; My Nintendo Store listing |
Why is the Switch 2 getting more expensive?
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa said the revision was not driven by one cause. In the company’s FY2026 financial results Q&A, he pointed to market changes expected to affect Nintendo’s dedicated game platform business over the medium to long term. The factors he named included surging memory and other component prices, foreign-exchange trends, and oil prices. Nintendo FY2026 financial results Q&A
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“This change in hardware pricing was not due to any one specific factor.”
Nintendo said it decided to reflect part of the increased costs in selling prices after concluding that keeping existing hardware prices could significantly harm hardware profitability. It also said the size of the revision differs by region because market conditions do not affect every region in the same way. The company described the relevant pressures as longer-term market conditions; it did not identify a single input as the sole cause.
Did Nintendo raise the Switch 2 price because game development costs are rising?
No. Nintendo has discussed longer development periods and larger game files as considerations in software pricing, not as the stated reason for the later Switch 2 hardware-price revision. In its FY2025 Q&A, Furukawa said hardware pricing takes manufacturing costs, consumers’ price perceptions, exchange rates, and regional market conditions into account. Separately, he said software pricing also considers cost increases associated with larger game files and extended development periods. Nintendo FY2025 financial results Q&A
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- The next evolution of the Nintendo Switch system
- One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
- Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
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“it’s true that software development time has increased compared to before.”
That comment concerns the time needed to develop software and the company’s future release cadence. It does not establish that development costs caused the console’s price change. The hardware explanation Nintendo gave instead focused on component prices, currencies, oil, and the effect of absorbing costs on hardware profitability.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What does the higher price mean for buyers?
For U.S. buyers, Nintendo’s announced MSRP means the listed price rises by $50 on September 1, 2026. The actual amount paid can differ because Nintendo’s U.S. MSRP excludes tax and retailer prices may vary. Nintendo’s regional prices also have different tax treatment and, in Europe, the cited figure is specific to My Nintendo Store.
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- 【Versatile 3 Play Modes】Seamlessly switch between Handheld, Tabletop, and TV modes — all featuring intuitive controls and smooth performance, wherever you choose to play.
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Furukawa acknowledged that the increase raises the purchase barrier, but declined to discuss its specific effect on sales momentum. Nintendo did not quantify the likely sales impact. Nintendo FY2026 financial results Q&A on buyer impact
“we recognize that this raises the barrier for entry to a certain extent for people deciding whether to make a purchase.”
Nintendo said future component prices remain uncertain and that it would prepare to respond flexibly. That statement is not an announcement of another increase; the company did not specify a future price change.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
