TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Japanese video game company Nintendo announced it will raise the price of its Switch 2 console and other Nintendo accessories starting in September 2026.
The company's official website, written on Friday, May 8, 2026, local time, stated that this price increase is in response to various changing market conditions that are expected to continue in the medium to long term.
"In light of changes in market conditions, and after considering the global business outlook, Nintendo will revise the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) of the Nintendo Switch 2 system and Nintendo Switch systems," the company announced.
The website states that the price increase for the Switch 2 in its home country, Japan, will increase the manufacturer's suggested retail selling price from the current 49,980 yen to 59,980 yen, effective May 25.
Given that the impact of various changing market conditions is expected to last for the medium to long term, price revisions are also planned outside Japan, with a US$50 increase for markets in the United States, Canada, and Europe effective September 1, 2026.
"We sincerely apologize for the impact these price revisions may have on our customers and other stakeholders, and we deeply appreciate your understanding," read a statement on their official website.
As quoted by Cnet and cited by Antara on Sunday, May 10th, 2026, the company stated that since its launch in June of last year, the price of the new Switch 2 console has been concerned about being affected by tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump in April 2025.
The reasons for the cost increase also include rising material prices, which are applicable to all current technologies, namely the global memory shortage, also known as "RAMageddon."
This problem began in late 2025, when a surge in demand for generative AI devices drove an increased need for computers to support AI data centers. This led to an increase in the cost of RAM modules, and in turn, the price of devices that use them had to increase to accommodate this. 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB DDR5 RAM are still several times more expensive than they were in 2024.
The company also raised prices on the first-generation Switch, Switch OLED, and Switch Lite by around eight to 10,000 yen, while accessories saw price increases of US$5 or US$10.
Besides RAM, other computer components, such as solid-state drives (SSDs), have in many cases seen price increases double for the same reason.
Nintendo isn't alone in feeling the impact of this memory shortage. Sony had to raise the price of the PS5 Pro from US$750 to US$900. Microsoft also made similar adjustments to its Xbox Series X and S consoles. Meanwhile, Valve had to delay the release of its Steam Machine home PC console due to the shortage, and its price remains unclear.
Read: Nintendo Switch 2 Holds Record as Fastest-Selling Console as 6 Million Units Sold
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