Nintendo has confirmed another painful bit of gaming hardware news: the Switch 2 is getting more expensive in several key markets.
From 1 September, the console’s price in the United States will rise by US$50, bringing it up to US$499.99. That is roughly around RM2,350 before tax, shipping, retailer margins, and currency movement — so yeah, Malaysian buyers watching import sets should definitely keep one eye on this.
The increase is not only happening in the US. In Europe, the Switch 2 will move up by €30 to €499.99, while Canada will see a CA$50 jump to CA$679.99. Nintendo has not confirmed whether the United Kingdom will be affected.
Japan is getting hit earlier and harder. Starting 25 May, Nintendo will raise prices across a wider list of products there, including all original Nintendo Switch models, the Switch 2, and even Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions. The Japan-only Switch 2 model will climb by ¥10,000 to ¥59,980, while original Switch models will increase by between ¥8,000 and ¥11,000. A one-year Nintendo Switch Online plan in Japan is also going up by ¥1,000.
Nintendo says the adjustments are due to changing market conditions and its wider global business outlook. The likely pressure point here is the global shortage of computer memory, which has been pushing up the cost of RAM and storage. For a modern console, especially one expected to run bigger games and support faster performance, those components matter a lot.
For Malaysian and SEA gamers, the big question is simple: will local prices follow? The source report does not mention Malaysia or Southeast Asia-specific pricing, so nothing is confirmed for our market yet. But realistically, imported hardware rarely lives in a bubble. If US, Japan, Europe, and Canada pricing moves up, parallel import sets, early stock, and retailer bundles here could become more expensive too.
This matters because Nintendo hardware in Malaysia often depends heavily on retailer channels, import availability, and exchange rates. If you are planning to buy a Switch 2 this year, this could be one of those moments where waiting may not actually save money. On the other hand, rushing into a purchase just because of overseas price news also might not be smart if local stock, warranty options, or bundles are still unclear.
The wider console market has already been moving in this direction. Sony raised PlayStation 5 prices by US$100 to US$150 in March, while Microsoft increased Xbox Series console pricing by US$100 to US$200 across two hikes in 2025. Compared to those jumps, Nintendo’s US$50 increase is smaller, but it still stings because Nintendo consoles have traditionally been seen as the more accessible family and portable gaming option.
Nintendo also told investors it expects Switch 2 sales to slow over the next year, partly because of the higher pricing. That is unusual for a console entering its second year, when momentum would normally build. Still, the Switch 2 is far from struggling. Nintendo has already sold 19.86 million units, and even with a projected 16.5 million units in its second year, it would still be tracking ahead of the original Switch at the same point in its life cycle.
So the takeaway for Malaysia? If you are eyeing a Switch 2, start watching local retailer pricing now. A confirmed overseas increase does not automatically mean an instant Malaysia price hike, but it usually gives shops and importers a reason to adjust. And with memory prices squeezing the whole console industry, this might not be the last hardware price bump we see.
Source: Polygon