Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has addressed the recently announced price increase for the Nintendo Switch 2 and promised players that the company plans to offset the higher cost with a stronger lineup of games.
During Nintendo’s latest financial earnings briefing, the company confirmed that the Switch 2 will receive a price increase across multiple regions starting later this year. In the United States, the console’s price will rise by $50, while several Asian markets will also see increases to Nintendo Switch Online membership prices.
Nintendo Apologizes for the Price Hike
Speaking during a recent investor call, Furukawa apologized to customers for the inconvenience caused by the price changes while explaining that rising production and operational costs made the decision unavoidable.
“We sincerely apologize to our customers for the considerable inconvenience and trouble this will cause,” Furukawa stated. “While we wanted to prioritize a wide adoption, it was challenging to bear the rising costs over a long period.”
According to Furukawa, the updated pricing still does not fully account for all of Nintendo’s increasing costs.
A “Robust” Switch 2 Game Lineup Planned
To help justify the higher price point, Nintendo says it plans to deliver a “robust” software lineup for the platform over the coming years.
Among the rumored and anticipated titles are a new take on Star Fox, potentially inspired by Star Fox 64, as well as the long-rumored remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Fans are also still waiting for Nintendo’s next major 3D Mario title. However, industry insider NateTheHate recently suggested players may not see that game until 2027.
Meanwhile, the next generation of Pokémon games — reportedly titled Pokémon Wind and Pokémon Waves — is also expected to arrive in 2027.
Switch 2 Price Increase Details
Nintendo officially confirmed that the Nintendo Switch 2 will increase in price from $449.99 to $499.99 in the United States beginning September 2026.
European pricing will rise from €469.99 to €499.99, while Canadian pricing will increase from $629.99 CAD to $679.99 CAD.
Japan is also seeing significant increases across the entire Switch lineup:
- Switch 2: ¥49,980 → ¥59,980
- Switch OLED: ¥37,980 → ¥47,980
- Standard Switch: ¥32,978 → ¥43,980
- Switch Lite: ¥21,978 → ¥29,980
The Japanese pricing changes will take effect on May 25, 2026, while North American and European price increases begin on September 1, 2026.
Additionally, Nintendo Switch Online and Expansion Pack subscription tiers will also increase in price starting July 1, 2026.
Can Nintendo Justify the New Price?
Despite the backlash surrounding the pricing changes, Nintendo appears confident that upcoming first-party exclusives and strong third-party support will help maintain momentum for the Switch 2.
Games such as Pokémon Pokopia, Donkey Kong, and third-party releases like Resident Evil Requiem are already helping strengthen the platform’s lineup.
With more announcements expected later this year, Nintendo now faces the challenge of convincing players that the higher entry price is worth it.
