Nintendo is pushing up Switch 2 prices in several key markets, and while Malaysia has not been given a specific update yet, this is the kind of news local gamers should watch closely.
According to Anime News Network, the new pricing kicks in first in Japan on May 25, before reaching the U.S., Canada and Europe on September 1.
In the U.S., the Nintendo Switch 2 will move from US$449.99 to US$499.99. That is a US$50 jump, which puts the console roughly around the RM2.3k-RM2.4k range by direct conversion before local taxes, shipping, retailer margins or warranty considerations.
Canada is also getting an increase, with the console going from CAD$629.99 to CAD$679.99. In Europe, the My Nintendo Store price rises from €469.99 to €499.99.
Japan’s change is a bit more specific. The Japanese-language System version of the Switch 2 is going up from 49,980 yen to 59,980 yen. However, the Nintendo Switch 2 Multi-Language System, which launched in Japan at 69,980 yen, is staying at the same price for now.
Why this matters for Malaysia and SEA gamers
Malaysia is not listed in this first wave of exact price changes, but jangan relax too much yet. Nintendo said Switch and Switch 2 consoles will also receive price revisions in other regions, with local overseas subsidiaries expected to share details separately.
That matters because a lot of SEA buyers still rely on a mix of official distribution, grey-market imports, Japan units, Hong Kong/Singapore sets and online marketplace sellers. If prices rise in Japan and other major markets, import prices here can follow very quickly — especially on Shopee, Lazada and specialist game shops.
For Malaysian players who were waiting for a cheaper Switch 2 bundle later in the year, this could make the “wait for sale” strategy a bit more complicated. If regional pricing adjusts upward, we may see local sellers increase prices before any major festive promo can soften the hit.
Original Switch and Switch Online also affected in Japan
This is not only about Switch 2. Nintendo is also raising prices for the original Switch family in Japan from July 1.
The Nintendo Switch OLED Model will increase from 37,980 yen to 47,980 yen. The standard Switch will go from 32,978 yen to 43,980 yen, while the Switch Lite rises from 21,978 yen to 29,980 yen.
Nintendo Switch Online is also getting a price revision in Japan, and Nintendo plans to revise Switch Online pricing in South Korea too. On top of that, even Nintendo’s playing cards and Hanafuda/Kabufuda cards in Japan are getting price increases.
So yeah, this is a wider pricing move, not just one console SKU quietly becoming more expensive.
Switch 2 is already selling hard
The Switch 2 launched worldwide on June 5, 2025, and Nintendo reported 19.86 million units sold globally as of March 31. That is a strong number for a console still early in its lifecycle.
The original Switch remains a monster too. Since launching in March 2017, it has sold 155.92 million units worldwide as of March 31. It has already passed the Nintendo DS to become Nintendo’s best-selling console ever, and now sits behind only the PlayStation 2 on the all-time console sales chart.
For Malaysian gamers, the practical takeaway is simple: if you are planning to buy a Switch 2, keep an eye on local retailer announcements, warranty type and whether the unit is an official regional set or an import. A cheaper listing may still be tempting, but once prices start shifting globally, warranty and after-sales support become even more important.
Source: Anime News Network