Nintendo Says More Switch 2 Games Are Coming This Year After Price Hike Backlash
Nintendo is trying to calm the room after confirming that the Switch 2 is getting more expensive in several major markets. The key message from president Shuntaro Furukawa: yes, the higher price may make the console harder to buy, but Nintendo believes the games will do the heavy lifting.
The company has now said it has more Switch 2 titles planned for the second half of its fiscal year, including games that have not been announced yet. That is a big hint for fans watching the holiday lineup, especially with speculation already circling around a possible The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Switch 2 port.
The price change is not small. In the U.S., the Switch 2 is moving from $449.99 to $499.99. Canada goes from $629.99 to $679.99, while Europe rises from €469.99 to €499.99. Japan gets the changes this month, with North America and Europe following on September 1.
For Malaysian and SEA players, the important part is not just the official U.S. or Europe price. We usually feel these things through import sets, local retail bundles, Shopee and Lazada listings, and grey-market stock. If upstream prices rise, don't be shocked if local Switch 2 bundles become more painful too, especially once sellers factor in exchange rates, shipping, stock shortages, and accessories.
Furukawa admitted to investors that the increase will raise the barrier to purchase. But he argued that the console business ultimately depends on giving players software that feels worth the money. In other words: Nintendo knows the price hurts, so it now needs games strong enough to make people say, “Okay lah, maybe this is worth upgrading.”
That matters because the Switch 2 reportedly had a massive launch, but Nintendo expects sales to settle down after the early hype wave. Furukawa said the adoption rate is still higher than the original Switch at this stage, and pointed to Pokémon Pokopia as proof that the right game can push players to move over to new hardware.
Nintendo's share price has also taken a hit. According to IGN, shares are down 8% since the price hike announcement, and the stock is now 34% lower since the start of the year. It has also dropped to its lowest point since August 2024, after previously peaking around the Switch 2 launch hype.
The currently announced lineup is already quite packed. Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is due May 21, Star Fox arrives June 25, Rhythm Heaven Groove lands July 2 and will also be on Switch 1, while Splatoon Raiders is set for July 23. Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave is also planned for this year, and fans are watching FromSoftware's The Duskbloods closely as another major Switch 2 exclusive.
Nintendo's explanation for the price hike is basically: costs are not going back down anytime soon. Furukawa pointed to higher component prices, especially memory, plus exchange rates and oil prices. If the cost spike was temporary, Nintendo might have absorbed it longer. But the company now believes these pressures will stick around for the medium to long term.
So for Malaysian players, the buying advice is simple: don't panic-buy, but watch the next Nintendo Direct or major reveal window closely. If the unannounced games are genuinely strong, the Switch 2 becomes easier to justify. If not, waiting for better bundles, local promos, or a clearer 2026 lineup might be the smarter play.
Source: IGN
