Is a Switch 2 value hike coming? Many are theorizing that this can occur sooner or later sooner or later because of the so-called “RAMaggedon” and different elements, and even Nintendo’s personal prime boss mentioned he can’t rule out a value enhance. Now, Dr. Serkan Toto of analysis group Kantan Video games has mentioned he believes the Switch 2 may even see value hike, and it might occur by the top of the yr.
“I might be very shocked if the Switch was nonetheless $450 within the US on the finish of 2026,” he informed GamesRadar.
He added that “individuals get used to all the pieces,” and that features value will increase for gaming {hardware}. Or a minimum of that is what corporations like Sony and others who’ve raised costs already are betting on, he mentioned. Sony, for its half, simply introduced a second value hike for the PS5, whereas Microsoft raised Xbox costs in 2025.
Different specialists concurred, together with DFC Intelligence CEO David Cole, who mentioned a value hike for the Switch 2 can be “doubtless” on account of element prices and tariffs. Researcher and educator Joost van Dreunen, in the meantime, mentioned Nintendo is prone to “lay low for some time” and preserve Switch 2 costs intact, a minimum of for now.
Whereas Nintendo has but to boost the Switch 2 value, the corporate did hike the value of the unique Switch, in addition to some Switch 2 equipment, in 2025. Moreover, Nintendo discontinued the $500 Switch 2 bundle that features Mario Kart World (like the corporate at all times mentioned it might), and this successfully amounted to a refined Switch 2 value hike, one other knowledgeable, Matthew Ball, believes.
Rhys Elliott of Alinea Analytics informed GameSpot {that a} Switch 2 value hike is definitely potential, however he believes a extra doubtless strategy can be for Nintendo to make use of “oblique value enhance” to carry margins. Elevating the value to $450 for the bottom mannequin can be a “PR catastrophe” for a console in its second yr, Elliott mentioned. On condition that, he theorized a extra doubtless situation can be for Nintendo to create a brand new form of Switch 2 bundle with a sport or an unique beauty packed in. In associated information, Nintendo lately made pricing adjustments to its video games, additional pushing individuals to higher-margin digital titles.
Though the Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle has been formally discontinued, retailers like Target and GameStop proceed to promote it for the conventional $500 value.
Nintendo’s official phrase
In February, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa mentioned the rise in reminiscence costs has not materially impacted Nintendo’s financials, and is not anticipated to for the quarter that ends March 31. Nevertheless, if the prices preserve going up, Nintendo may move that alongside to shoppers within the type of a value hike.
“If this rise in element costs lasts longer than anticipated and runs via the subsequent fiscal yr and past, it could put strain on profitability,” he mentioned. “If the scenario deteriorates considerably, we’ll fastidiously assess market developments and reply. As for any future change within the value of Nintendo Switch 2 {hardware}, no resolution has been made presently. Any resolution to alter the value shall be decided comprehensively, making an allowance for not solely profitability, but in addition different elements just like the platform’s put in base, gross sales developments, and the market atmosphere.”
The rising value of reminiscence is “taking place at a tempo that exceeds our expectations,” Furukawa mentioned. In fact, Nintendo just isn’t the one firm affected by growing reminiscence prices, as many different expertise corporations are caught in the midst of it as properly.
What’s inflicting the surge in costs? Experts agree that the chips powering the various new AI applied sciences need a lot of memory, which is likely one of the elements inflicting this spike. One other is that storage costs have surged as properly.
Years 2 and three are “essential” for Nintendo
In the course of the February investor presentation, Furukawa mentioned the second and third years for the Switch 2 shall be “essential,” and if Nintendo is ready to promote sufficient Switch 2 models, then it could “tremendously develop software program gross sales.”
Additionally working in Nintendo’s favor is that Furukawa mentioned the corporate started manufacturing on the Switch 2 “as early as potential” and has been stockpiling “a certain quantity of parts and merchandise.” This stock was obtained previous to the current surge in reminiscence costs, presumably, so Nintendo is not frightened of profitability points, a minimum of for now.
“Whereas we at the moment count on some kind of affect on profitability if the rise in reminiscence costs continues over the long run, we don’t anticipate constraints in our manufacturing plans on account of inadequate provide within the subsequent fiscal yr and past,” Furukawa mentioned.
In different information, it was reported lately that Nintendo lower manufacturing of the Switch 2 following weaker-than-expected gross sales throughout the vacation 2025 procuring season in some locations. The transfer to chop manufacturing was seen as an odd one by some, given the Switch 2 is promoting exceptionally properly.
In different information about value hikes, specialists have mentioned the PS5’s newest value hike was inevitable, prompting questions on what might come subsequent.