Nintendo fans, your wallet may need to brace a bit. According to Anime News Network, Nintendo is raising the US price of the Switch 2 by US$50, bringing the console’s MSRP to US$500 starting September 1 in the United States.
For Malaysian and SEA gamers, this does not automatically mean a confirmed local price change yet. But let’s be real: US pricing often influences grey-market listings, imported units, and eventually regional retail expectations. At today’s rough exchange, US$500 lands around the RM2.3k range before shipping, taxes, retailer margins, and bundle markups. If you were already planning to buy a Switch 2 through importers or early local stock, this is the kind of news worth watching closely.
The bigger story is that Nintendo is not alone. ANN notes that every major console in America has seen some form of price increase over the past year, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and even the original Switch. The reason being pointed to is not just normal inflation — it is the ongoing shortage of RAM chips that began in 2024 and has started affecting other components like motherboards.
A major pressure point is the huge demand created by AI data centre development. Some of those projects have reportedly been delayed or cancelled, but the component crunch has already spilled into consumer electronics. That means consoles, handheld PCs, and gaming gear are all feeling the squeeze. ANN also highlights portable PC options like Lenovo Go and ROG Ally reaching as high as US$1,600 in some cases, while Steam Deck availability has remained difficult in certain markets.
The silver lining, if we can call it that, is Nintendo gave buyers some warning. The price hike only starts in September, so US customers still have a few months to buy at the existing price. For SEA buyers, this window may also matter because import prices could shift once overseas retailers adjust.
Nintendo is also rolling out a limited-time “Choose Your Game” bundle through select retailers from June. The bundle remains at US$500, but includes a digital game option. Buyers can choose from Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong: Bananza, or Pokopia. That does soften the blow a little, especially if you were going to buy one of those games anyway. Still, many fans will probably ask why this is not just the standard package at the higher price.
The frustrating part is simple: gaming hardware is getting less affordable for younger players. In Malaysia, where console gaming already competes with mobile gaming, PC cafes, and free-to-play titles, a higher entry price makes the Switch 2 feel more premium than family-friendly. Nintendo still has the strongest first-party pull in the industry, but RM2,000-plus hardware is not an impulse buy for most students or working young adults.
ANN’s column also noted a major personnel change at Nintendo: longtime executive Takashi Tezuka is leaving the company on June 26. Tezuka joined Nintendo in 1984 and has credits across huge franchises including Super Mario Bros., Animal Crossing, Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, and the Switch 2 version of Super Mario Bros. Wonder. His retirement marks a big generational shift for Nintendo’s creative leadership.
So yes, the Switch 2 is still positioned as the “cheaper” major console option compared with some rivals and handheld PCs. But US$500 is still a serious ask. For Malaysian fans, the smartest move is to wait for confirmed local pricing, compare official versus import sets, and avoid panic-buying unless the deal actually makes sense.
Source: Anime News Network