analysts are projecting a potential price increase for the next-generation Nintendo Switch, anticipated to launch in 2026. While Nintendo has maintained current pricing for its existing consoles and games, a new report from Niko Partners suggests the company may discontinue a standard model of the Switch 2, opting instead for bundles starting at $499. This follows a price adjustment for the original Switch family in August 2025 and reflects broader economic factors-including rising component costs and tariffs-already impacting the gaming industry with price hikes from Sony and Microsoft.
New projections from Niko Partners are raising eyebrows among Nintendo fans: the analysis firm anticipates a price increase for the Nintendo Switch 2 globally in 2026. More significant than the price hike itself is how Nintendo might implement it, with researchers suggesting the company could discontinue the standard entry-level model and offer only bundles starting at $499 or higher.
This would represent a substantial shift, considering the Nintendo Switch 2 launched on June 5, 2025, with a suggested retail price of $449.99. Consumers seeking a premium experience could already purchase a bundle including Mario Kart World for $499.99 in the US. In Europe, the suggested retail price at launch was €469.99.
Analysts Predict Price Jump
The forecasts attribute the potential increase to factors including tariffs, rising costs for storage and memory, and a generally challenging economic climate. Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa recently emphasized that the company is closely monitoring the volatile memory market and views tariffs as costs to be factored into pricing whenever possible.
The scenario doesn’t seem far-fetched: in early August 2025, Nintendo raised prices on the existing Nintendo Switch family in the US, citing market conditions. At the time, the company stated that prices for the Nintendo Switch 2 and its games would remain unchanged, but reserved the right to make future adjustments.
The trend toward higher console prices is also visible among competitors: Sony increased recommended US prices for PlayStation 5 models in August 2025, while Microsoft also implemented price corrections across several products in 2025. Whether and when Nintendo will follow suit remains to be seen; for now, this is a projection, not an official announcement. The move reflects broader economic pressures impacting the consumer electronics industry.
