Memory Shortage May Affect Switch 2 Pricing and Upcoming PlayStation Launch

Sony and Nintendo are reportedly facing challenges due to RAM shortages, as the growing demand from AI data centers is consuming a larger portion of memory chip production. To tackle rising costs and limited chip availability, Sony is contemplating delaying the launch of its next PlayStation console until “2028 or even 2029,” according to industry insiders. Meanwhile, Nintendo may raise the price of its Switch 2 console, currently set at $450, later this year.

This potential delay marks a significant shift from Sony’s typical release pattern, which has seen new console generations debut every six to seven years since the original PlayStation launched in 1994. Given that the PlayStation 5 was released in November 2020, a new console would have been anticipated before the end of 2027.

The memory shortages also pose a challenge for Nintendo, which notably refrained from increasing the Switch 2’s launch price last year despite the impact of tariffs. Specific details regarding the potential price hike have not been disclosed. Efforts to obtain comments from Sony and Nintendo are ongoing.