Nintendo Increases Price of Switch 2 Worldwide, Switch in Japan - News
by William D'Angelo , posted on 08 May 2026 / 6,081 Views
Nintendo in its latest earnings report has announced it is increasing the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 worldwide, as well as the Nintendo Switch and Switch Online in Japan.
The price of the Switch 2, Switch, and Switch Online will increase in Japan on May 25, while the Switch 2 will increase worldwide on September 1.
"In light of changes in market conditions, and after considering the global business outlook, Nintendo will revise the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) of the Nintendo Switch 2 system and Nintendo Switch systems," said Nintendo.
"We sincerely apologize for the impact these price revisions may have on our customers and other stakeholders, and we deeply appreciate your understanding."
Here are the updated prices for the Switch 2, Switch, and Switch online:
Switch 2:
- Japan (Region-Locked): 49,980 yen to 59,980 yen (May 25)
- United States: $449.99 to $499.99 (September 1)
- Canada: $629.99 to $679.99 (September 1)
- Europe: €469.99 to €499.99 (September 1)
Switch - Japan Only (May 25):
- Switch Lite: ¥21,978 to ¥29,980
- Switch: ¥32,978 to ¥43,980
- Switch OLED: ¥37,980 to ¥47,980
Switch Online - Japan Only (May 25):
- Individual Membership
- 1 Month: ¥306 to ¥400
- 3 Months: ¥815 to ¥1,000
- 12 Months: ¥2,400 to ¥3,000
- Family Membership
- 12 Months: ¥4,500 to ¥5,800
Switch Online + Expansion Pack - Japan Only (May 25):
- Individual Membership
- 12 Months: ¥4,900 to ¥5,900
- Family Membership
- 12 Months: ¥8,900 to ¥9,900
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can follow the author on Bluesky.
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Wait... effective September 1st???
They're giving people a 4 month heads up?
That has to be some kind of record lol
Unless you are in Japan...
True story: I purchased a Switch 2 yesterday and some of the reasoning for my buy is that expected my purchase to appreciate in value... that was fast. I also own a PS5 Pro that I got via a trade for about $350 around launch.
It's a smart move, honestly. I'm shocked more companies do this: Tell people explicitly "You have four months to purchase your NS2 system," and all the sudden you've got a wave of impulse purchases over the next four months lol.
Well, unfortunately this kills just about any chance of me getting a Switch 2. I just can't justify spending $500, what I spent on my Series X at launch (and what I spent on my latest gaming PC upgrade), not when Switch 2 has considerably lower specs than that, and not when there aren't many exclusives I would want to play on it (mainly Pokemon and Fire Emblem and a few others). Now, even if a Switch 2 Lite does release (I bought Switch 1 Lite), it will come in at $400. I just don't have that kind of spare money to blow, not when the rumor is the next-gen Xbox or a similarly specced PC upgrade could cost me $1000 or more, and PS6 rumored for at least $800, and I will need to do one of the 3 within the next 2 years to keep up with the latest games.
You have until September.
Unless i'm reading things wrong, it doesnt sound like his financial situation is changing for the better in the next 4 months. Thus the dilemma
OK, now try to do your next PC upgrade and see if you can justify that.
It'll probably be either Project Helix or a PC upgrade for me, not both, since Project Helix basically is a PC. Either way, I need to wait a few years, RAM, SSD, and GPU production need to increase first in order to meet the increases demand from AI servers, which are driving up prices. I also need to wait until AMD's Zen 6 CPU's and RDNA 5 GPU's release, since that is what PS6 and Helix are using according to leaks. The goal will be to build a PC with Project Helix like specs for less money, if that isn't possible I would get Helix itself.
It's so unfortunate what's happening to the industry I love.
It's so unfortunate to what's happening to food, shelter, and health care prices that we need. The world isn't in a good place post covid.
It sure can feel that way, especially while scrolling through the daily headlines online. But I don't know if it's any worse than it was during the dark ages, or when women were burned alive for being witches, or when simply getting an infected cut meant certain death due to almost zero medical advancements lol.
Nowadays people get shot dead over their race, and the majority of the world can't afford advanced medicine or real food so they die of diseases which didn't exist in the past.
I just can't imagine many black people from 1955 Mississippi taking a time machine to 2026 Chicago and thinking, man... what a horrible world it is now. Ditto for women in the 19th century, gay people from the start of the 20th century, or farmers from ancient Japan. Do you really think they'd think we have it bad when they found out they could just sit on their couch and tap a piece of glass and have pretty much anything and everything delivered to their door? I don't. But hey, who knows. It's a fun little thought-exercise.
It's the fault of billionaires and AI.
At this point in history? Yes, it pretty much is. If something is afoul, chances are it's going to be traced back to either the elite rich, or AI.
We need another French Revolution, but this time make it global.
Nintendo a few weeks later: "A drop in the sales? Geez, I wonder why!"
Internationally, yes, but in Japan, it's much sooner.
Its like all console manufacturers are conspiring to kill console gaming.
PC hardware prices are going to the moon, too.
1 way for Nintendroids to not give greedy Nintendo money!!
We should not support them until they release oled version that should've been release on launch and bring back Nintendo Select/ Players Choice.
Until then they ain't taking my money
They increase the price of Switch Online in Japan? Why? They don't have dedicated servers for their online games which could need RAM. They all run P2P. :D
Only a matter of time...
All because AI is driving up RAM and memory prices. The only good data centres are ones that are destroyed.
Is it disappointing that the price is going up? Sure it is. But, prices are up on everything we purchase. Is it a big deal? I say no. It's $50 bucks. For something you'll get years of use and enjoyment from. Less than the cost of a game that people would buy how many of, over the course of the system's lifetime, and think little of it.
People commonly blow how much on coffee and snacks on their way to work. every day, every week.
If someone can't justify or afford the $50 additional, that's fine...but they probably couldn't afford/shouldn't be looking at something that costs $450 to begin with. Video gaming is a luxury item, not a necessity.
I think that the notice and grace period they have given is commendable.
Only 50$ is projected to cut 3M sales in one fiscal year
I believe that projection to be far from accurate. However, If the company is not making money at the current price or is selling at a small loss, what is 3m more sales x $0. doing for them?
You might say...but those 3m would purchase games that Ninty makes money on. If the projected 3m can't afford $50. more for the console, then they can't afford to buy games for the system after spending the $450. either. /shrug
The Atari 2600 (originally released as the Atari Video Computer System or VCS) launched in 1977 for $199.95. This price point was quite high for the time, equivalent to over $850–$1,000 in 2025/2026 dollars when adjusted for inflation.
The original NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) launched in North America in 1985 for approximately $149.99 to $199 USD. The widely popular "Action Set"—which included the console, two controllers, a Light Gun (Zapper), and a Super Mario Bros. cartridge—was often priced around $149.99 to $179.99, or roughly $430–$470 in 2025/2026 inflation-adjusted dollars
Upon its release in November 2006, the original PlayStation 3 launched at two price points in North America: $499 for the 20GB model and $599 for the 60GB model. roughly $820–$1,000 in 2025/2026 inflation-adjusted dollars
Figured. What a terrible time to be a gamer
That is still only £235 quid in Japan.
Typo in the article. New price is 59,980 Yen which is £281. But yeah the region locked Switch 2 is still a lot cheaper.
