Nintendo is still weighing its options on pricing for the Switch 2.
Last week, Nintendo’s president, Shuntaro Furukawa, reassured shareholders that there are no immediate plans to increase the price of the $449.99 Switch 2. However, recent reports suggest that Nintendo is not only contemplating a price hike but is also considering the timing of such an increase.
During a Q&A session with investors, Furukawa addressed concerns regarding the ongoing RAM crisis, which poses a threat to various industries reliant on computer chips. The AI sector, in particular, is consuming resources at an alarming rate, with companies like OpenAI securing a significant portion of the world’s semiconductor supply. This situation could have serious implications for Nintendo, as well as its competitors, Sony and Microsoft.
Earlier this year, Furukawa reassured investors that these supply chain issues did not significantly impact the company’s profitability in the previous year and did not expect major changes in the current financial quarter. He noted that the decision to hold off on a price increase was a reflection of the company’s long-term strategy, although future market fluctuations might lead Nintendo to reconsider its pricing approach.
A recent report indicates that Nintendo is “considering raising the price of the device in 2026.” The Switch 2, which currently retails for $449.99, utilizes chips that are less advanced compared to its rivals. This could mean that Nintendo plans to charge more for a console that may already feel outdated.
However, given the current market dynamics, Nintendo might find it feasible. Microsoft raised Xbox prices twice in 2025, and Sony adjusted PS5 prices last year. Both competitors offer consoles and cloud services at various price points, which could influence Nintendo’s pricing strategy. Additionally, Nintendo often refreshes its hardware with slimmer models or new features, so a price increase in 2027 could coincide with a similar update. Still, any new version of the Switch 2 would face the same chip shortages, making it likely that a price hike wouldn’t come with significant new features, primarily serving to offset profit losses.
The outlook isn’t much brighter for Sony and Microsoft either. Sony began developing its next-gen hardware in 2022, aiming for a PlayStation 6 release around 2027, but that timeline has since been pushed to 2028, with some sources suggesting a 2029 release might be more realistic. If this delay occurs, it would mark the first time consumers would wait nearly a decade between console generations, as the gap between the PS4 and PS5 was only seven years.
With the rapid advancement and adoption of AI, the situation is likely to worsen. Many were surprised by those who paid $1,000 for a PlayStation 5 back in 2020, but in a few years, that might become the norm. A new Xbox Series X can already cost around that much when you factor in taxes, accessories, games, and subscriptions.
But honestly, I’m not too worried. How much better can game graphics really get? New console generations often arrive just as previous hardware starts to hit its peak. If the PS6 and the next Switch take a bit longer to arrive, that’s perfectly fine with me.
