Nintendo Says Stronger Switch 2 Games Will Help Justify Its Higher Price
Nintendo knows the Switch 2 price bump is not going to make fans clap politely and move on. After increasing the console’s US price from $449.99 to $499.99, the company is now pointing to software as the main reason players should still feel the upgrade is worth it.
According to Reuters’ Japanese report, Nintendo is aiming to keep profitability around the same level as its previous fiscal year. That makes business sense, especially with rising costs squeezing hardware margins, but it also creates a very obvious problem: if the machine gets more expensive, some players may simply wait.
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa addressed this during the company’s recent financial results presentation, saying Nintendo plans to push a stronger Switch 2 software lineup to improve the value of owning the console. He also apologised to customers for the trouble caused by the price increase, while explaining that absorbing higher costs over a long period had become difficult.
For Malaysia and SEA, this is the part that really matters. We do not just look at the US price and call it a day. Once you factor in exchange rates, local retail pricing, import costs, bundles, and the usual early-launch demand, a USD $50 increase can feel much heavier here. Even if official Malaysian pricing lands cleanly, families and students are still going to compare it against a used Switch OLED, a gaming phone, a Steam Deck-style handheld, or just waiting for a promo.
So yes, Nintendo needs games. Not just one big launch title and then vibes. It needs a calendar that makes players feel like the Switch 2 is the place to be for the next few years.
There are already some bright spots. Pokémon Pokopia and Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream are reportedly doing very well, which gives Nintendo some momentum. Star Fox and Splatoon Raiders are also expected this summer, and both could be important for keeping the console visible after launch-window excitement fades.
But the rest of the 2026 first-party picture still has questions. Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave has been announced, but its release date is still unknown. There is also the long-running chatter around a possible The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, though Nintendo has not confirmed anything on that front.
Third-party exclusives could also help. FromSoftware’s The Duskbloods is a big name to have attached to Switch 2, especially for players who want something darker and more hardcore than the usual family-friendly Nintendo lineup. If Nintendo can mix cosy hits, competitive multiplayer, nostalgia bombs, and serious third-party exclusives, the higher price becomes easier to swallow.
Still, this is not a guaranteed win. SEA players are value-sensitive, and Nintendo’s online services, local support, and game pricing will all be part of the conversation. A stronger library helps, but only if the release schedule stays consistent and the games feel essential rather than optional.
For now, all eyes are on the next major Nintendo Direct. If Nintendo wants to convince Malaysian fans that Switch 2 is worth the extra money, that showcase needs to bring more than safe trailers. It needs dates, surprises, and a clear reason to upgrade.
Source: Eurogamer
