Nintendo has announced a new Switch 2 bundle, and for anyone in Malaysia or SEA still waiting to buy the console, this one is worth watching properly.
The bundle is set to launch in early June and packs the Switch 2 console together with one first-party game for US$500. For context, the console currently sells for US$450 on its own. Engadget reports that Nintendo is expected to raise the console price by US$50 in September, pushed by the AI-driven chip crunch and tariff pressure.
That means if you wait until after the hike, a Switch 2 plus one Nintendo-published game could land somewhere around US$570 instead. In Malaysian terms, US$500 is already roughly in the RM2,300-plus zone before local retailer margins, shipping, taxes, or import weirdness. So yes, even though this is not exactly cheap, the bundle may still be the cleaner value play if local shops bring it in at a sane price.
The games in the bundle
Nintendo is offering buyers a choice of one game from three major Switch 2 exclusives:
- Mario Kart World
- Donkey Kong Bananza
- Pokémon Pokopia
That is a pretty strong lineup, mainly because these are basically the big-name Switch 2 exclusives right now. Mario Kart World may not be the most exciting option if you already know the formula inside-out, but bro, it is still Mario Kart. For party sessions, family nights, dorm rooms, and mamak-after-class chaos, it remains the safe pick.
Donkey Kong Bananza and Pokémon Pokopia sound like the more premium choices if you want something that feels fresher. If Malaysian buyers are paying import-level money, choosing the game that gives the most hours and replay value matters. Nintendo games rarely drop price fast, so getting one packed in from day one is not a small bonus.
Why SEA buyers should care
The important line from Nintendo is that this bundle will be available for a limited time while supplies last. Translation: if demand is high, stock could disappear way before September’s price increase hits.
That matters a lot in Malaysia and SEA because console pricing here often reacts badly to limited supply. When official pricing is unclear or stock is tight, local buyers usually end up dealing with import sets, reseller markups, bundle-only shop listings, or random price jumps on marketplaces. A US$500 bundle sounds simple in America, but by the time it reaches our side, the final RM price can swing hard depending on who brings it in.
So if you are planning to buy a Switch 2 this year, the move is probably to track early June listings and compare properly. Do not just panic-buy the first bundle you see. Check whether the game is physical or digital, confirm warranty coverage, and compare the RM price against buying the console and game separately.
Consoles are getting more expensive, not cheaper
This is not just a Nintendo problem either. The wider console market is moving in the wrong direction for buyers. Engadget notes that the Xbox Series X digital edition is now US$600, while the standard PS5 is priced at US$650. Those machines launched nearly six years ago, yet they are now more expensive than they were at launch.
The Switch 2 is newer, having launched last year, but it is already heading into the same price-hike reality. For Malaysian gamers, that makes timing more important than usual. If you were waiting for a discount, this bundle may be the closest thing to a practical deal for now.
Source: Engadget