Nintendo has announced that the Nintendo Switch 2 will soon cost $500 in the United States, marking a $50 price increase. The change comes after the company experienced one of the biggest console launches in its history.
The Switch 2 sold nearly 20 million units in just three quarters, far surpassing Nintendo’s original expectations. The company also reported major growth in revenue, with sales almost doubling compared to the previous year.
Nintendo’s games also performed strongly. Titles like Mario Kart World, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, and Donkey Kong Bananza sold millions of copies worldwide. Combined software sales for the Switch and Switch 2 reached over 185 million units.
Despite the success, Nintendo is being cautious about the future. The company expects to sell 16.5 million Switch 2 consoles next year, which is lower than what many analysts predicted. Nintendo appears to be managing expectations more carefully after underestimating demand during the console’s launch year.
The price increase is also tied to rising production costs, including higher memory prices and tariffs. Nintendo says these added costs could reach around ¥100 billion JPY.
While competitors like Sony have also increased console prices, Nintendo’s younger and more price-sensitive audience could react differently to the higher $500 price tag. The company is hoping its strong lineup of games will continue to drive sales despite the increase.
