In the event you’ve been debating whether or not or to not decide up a Nintendo Switch 2 then you definately’ll wish to act quickly.
Nintendo says it’s raising the Switch 2’s price from $450 to $500 within the U.S. as a consequence of “adjustments in market circumstances,” most notably the global shortage of random entry reminiscence (RAM). The change is ready to enter impact on September 1.
Related value will increase will concurrently happen in Canada ($630 CAD to $680 CAD) and Europe (€470 to €500). In Japan, the system’s MSRP (producer’s recommended retail value) will rise a bit earlier, going from ¥49,980 to ¥59,980 on Could 25.
Nintendo blames the widespread change on the truth that market situation adjustments are more likely to have an effect “over the medium to long run.” Sony pointed to similar factors in March when it raised the PlayStation 5’s value by as much as $150.
“We sincerely apologize for the affect these value revisions could have on our clients and different stakeholders and we deeply recognize your understanding,” Nintendo said in its announcement.
The information got here alongside Nintendo’s earnings report for fiscal 2026, which ended on March 31. The corporate reported 19.86 million items offered for the fiscal yr—the Change 2 arrived about one quarter in on June 5, 2025. In distinction, it predicts the sale of 16.5 million items for all of fiscal 2027.
Nintendo factors to each the value improve and “sturdy launch-year gross sales” as causes for the anticipated decline.
What’s happening with chip shortages?
The Change 2 wants reminiscence chips to run, the identical ones which might be facing huge shortages and price increases. That state of affairs is because of AI firms, which require an amazing quantity of reminiscence to run their information facilities and reply to billions of each day requests for chatbots.
Reminiscence makers like Micron Know-how and Sandisk Company are seeing unimaginable demand for his or her merchandise. The share costs for these firms replicate it, with Micron (Nasdaq: MU) up 653% and Sandisk (Nasdaq: SNDK) up 3,450% year-over-year (YOY).
These firms should not solely supplying quite a lot of reminiscence to AI information facilities, but additionally doubtlessly diverting assets towards that endeavor, fairly than client merchandise.
Nintendo, Sony, and extra face greater costs for reminiscence chips, together with a smaller amount out there.
