TLDRs:
- Nintendo to raise original Switch and accessory prices in the US starting August 3, citing market pressures.
- The newly launched Switch 2 remains at $449 amid strong sales and a strategic pricing approach.
- US tariffs on imports from Asia drive up costs across the gaming industry, prompting widespread price hikes.
- Nintendo follows Microsoft and Sony in raising prices but takes a more measured and delayed approach.
Nintendo will increase the US price of its original Switch console beginning August 3, attributing the move to evolving “market conditions.”
While the company has not confirmed new pricing figures, the original model has long held a $299 price tag. In contrast, the newer Switch 2 will continue to retail at $449, maintaining its current price point.
Beyond the base model, Nintendo has also announced upcoming price adjustments for the Switch OLED and Switch Lite variants, along with several official accessories, including those designed for the Switch 2. Even non-gaming items such as the Nintendo Sound Clock, Alarmo will be affected by the changes.
Happy Nintendo Direct Day!! Will we find out if the Switch price goes up 📈 or down 📉?? 😲 pic.twitter.com/GaOStHGOIF
— Plainrock124 (@plainrocktweets) August 3, 2025
Tariff Fallout Ripples Through Gaming Industry
The pricing shift reflects a larger trend in the gaming sector, where manufacturers are grappling with elevated costs linked to US tariffs on goods from Japan, Vietnam, and China, key production hubs for gaming consoles and accessories.
Nintendo is not alone. Microsoft recently raised the Xbox Series S price from $299.99 to $379.99 and bumped the Series X by $100.
Sony has also warned of possible PlayStation price hikes in response to the same tariffs. Industry analysts project that US tariffs could lead to a 40–58% spike in console prices across the board.
Despite the macroeconomic challenges, Nintendo has kept the Switch 2 pricing intact. Analysts say this restraint is designed to shield its flagship product from potential demand shock while offsetting losses through older hardware and accessory markups.
A Calculated, Strategic Move by Nintendo
Nintendo’s decision to delay its price increase, compared to Microsoft and Sony, suggests a deliberate strategy. By waiting to adjust prices, the company could observe market reactions to competitors’ hikes, gauge consumer tolerance, and better manage its supply chain exposure to tariff-related inflation.
The company has also previously held back on pre-orders for the Switch 2 as it evaluated geopolitical risks, a move that now appears consistent with its cautious but calculated pricing strategy.
Maintaining the Switch 2’s $449 price is a tactical effort to keep the momentum going after its record-breaking launch.
Switch 2’s Hot Streak Buys Nintendo Leverage
The Switch 2’s commercial performance has been nothing short of historic. According to market tracker Circana, it became the fastest-selling console in US history with 1.6 million units sold in June alone, eclipsing Sony’s PS4 launch record of 1.1 million units in 2013. In Japan, it’s also topping sales charts, according to Famitsu data.
This strong showing has given Nintendo more flexibility. Instead of raising prices across all product lines at once, the company appears to be leveraging consumer enthusiasm for the Switch 2 while gradually increasing prices for its legacy hardware to balance profitability.
As tariff pressures mount and hardware costs climb, more price adjustments may be on the horizon, but for now, Nintendo is walking a tightrope between market competitiveness and margin protection.
