Nintendo Switch 2 Price Hike Is Coming — Here’s Why Malaysian Buyers Should Watch the Bundle Deals Now
Nintendo has confirmed that the Switch 2 is getting more expensive in the US, Canada, and Europe from September 1, with the US price rising by $50. For Malaysian and SEA gamers, this is not just “overseas news” — console pricing here often follows global supply, import costs, and retailer behaviour.
Right now, the standard Switch 2 sits at $449, which is roughly around RM2,100 before local taxes, shipping, warranty markup, or retailer margins. Once the new pricing kicks in, that $50 jump is about RM235 extra. By the time it lands through import shops or marketplace sellers, don’t be shocked if the real-world difference feels higher.
The simplest way to avoid the hike is obvious: buy before September 1. But the more interesting option is Nintendo’s incoming “Choose Your Game” Switch 2 bundle, expected in early June. It will be priced at $499.99, roughly RM2,350 before local add-ons, and lets buyers pick one of three games: Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, or Pokémon Pokopia.
That matters because Switch games are not cheap, bro. If you were already planning to buy one of those titles anyway, the bundle effectively gives you a small saving — around $20 to $30 according to IGN — compared with buying the console and game separately. IGN also flags a time-sensitive bundle deal expiring May 9 that can save up to $70, so the current pre-hike window is where the best value may be hiding.
For Malaysian players, the key question is not just “Should I buy Switch 2?” It is “When will local prices settle?” Launch-era Nintendo hardware usually stays expensive here for a while, especially if stock is limited. If US and Europe prices rise, parallel import sellers in Malaysia may use that as a reason to adjust pricing too, even if their existing stock was bought earlier.
There is also uncertainty around older bundles, especially the Mario Kart World bundle that currently carries a $499.99 MSRP. IGN notes it is unclear whether retailers will absorb the price change or pass another $50 increase to buyers after September 1. If those bundles somehow stay at the same price, they could suddenly become the smartest buy overnight.
We saw something similar on the PlayStation side, where Sony’s recent PS5 price increases made certain bundles look much more attractive before they sold out. Hardware prices used to drop slowly over a console generation. Now? Not always. Between inflation, tariffs, supply pressure, and regional pricing changes, waiting for a discount can sometimes backfire.
So if you are a Malaysian Nintendo fan eyeing Switch 2 for Mario Kart nights, Pokémon, or a possible Ocarina of Time remake later this year, the safe play is to monitor bundles from now through June. Check local game shops, Shopee/Lazada import listings, and official distributor updates if available — but compare the full package, not just the console sticker price.
Bottom line: if you only want the console, buying before September avoids the confirmed overseas hike. If you also want one of Nintendo’s big games, the June “Choose Your Game” bundle may be the better value. Just don’t assume Switch 2 will get cheaper soon. This time, waiting could cost you.
Source: IGN
