The verdict
Nintendo announced on May 8, 2026 that it will raise Switch 2 MSRPs — Japan from ¥49,980 to ¥59,980 effective May 25, and the US, Canada, and Europe from September 1 — citing memory-chip costs driven by AI demand.
Nintendo is raising Switch 2 prices worldwide, blaming surging memory-chip costs driven by the AI data-center build-out that’s pushed up component prices across the entire console industry.
On May 8, 2026, Nintendo issued a press release from its Kyoto headquarters announcing higher MSRPs for both the Nintendo Switch 2 and the original Switch family in Japan, citing rising electronic-component costs — DRAM and NAND in particular have spiked as hyperscalers pour capital into AI clusters, as EventHubs reported.
Before / after pricing
- Switch 2 — Japanese-language system (Japan only): ¥49,980 → ¥59,980 (+¥10,000), effective May 25, 2026
- Switch 2 — Multi-Language system sold via My Nintendo Store Japan: price unchanged
- United States: $449.99 → $499.99, effective September 1, 2026
- Canada: CA$629.99 → CA$679.99, effective September 1, 2026
- Europe (My Nintendo Store): €469.99 → €499.99, effective September 1, 2026
Original Switch hardware in Japan is also being marked up — the OLED Model jumps from ¥37,980 to ¥47,980 and Switch Lite from ¥21,978 to ¥29,980. Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions in Japan rise from July 1, 2026, per the same announcement.
Why now
Nintendo’s statement points to “changes in market conditions” and “the global business outlook” — language CNBC’s reporting ties directly to the memory crunch from AI demand, on top of similar console price moves Microsoft and Sony have already made on Xbox Series and PS5 in the past year.
What it means for buyers
If you were planning to buy a region-locked Japanese Switch 2, do it before May 25. The Multi-Language model on My Nintendo Store keeps its current price and is the obvious choice for international buyers who want an English UI anyway. Western markets get a four-month grace period before the September 1 increase — useful runway for anyone weighing pulling the trigger this summer. Expect Nintendo Switch Online and accessory pricing to follow the hardware up over the next few months.