Console makers raise prices as manufacturing costs surge across industry
Major console makers simultaneously raise prices amid surging production costs and tariff pressures.
Event / Economy
Nintendo Switch Price Increases
Nintendo announced global price increases for Switch 2 and other console models across Japan, North America, and Europe, effective May-September 2026, citing market conditions and rising component costs.
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2026-08-18 to 2026-11-15 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 8 May, 11:38 UTC
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What happened
Nintendo increases Switch console prices in Japan effective May 25
Nintendo increased prices for all Switch console models in Japan effective May 25, 2026. Switch 2 rose from ¥49,980 to ¥59,980, Switch OLED from ¥37,980 to ¥47,980, original Switch from ¥32,978 to ¥43,980, and Switch Lite from ¥21,978 to ¥29,980. Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions also increased starting May 25.
Switch 2 price rises $50 in the United States
Nintendo increased the price of Switch 2 in the United States from $449.99 to $499.99, effective September 1, 2026. This $50 price increase applies to the multi-language version of the console sold in the U.S. market.
Nintendo expects ¥100 billion revenue impact from rising component costs and tariffs
Nintendo anticipated a revenue impact of approximately ¥100 billion due to rising component prices, particularly for memory, and tariff measures. The company cited these cost pressures as contributing factors to the decision to implement price increases across its product lines.
Microsoft's Xbox head indicates potential price increase for Project Helix console
Asha Sharma, head of Xbox, indicated in April 2026 that rising RAM prices could lead to a price increase for Microsoft's next-generation console, Project Helix, and potential stock limitations.
Nintendo projects 16.5 million Switch 2 unit sales for fiscal year 2027
Nintendo projected sales of 16.5 million Switch 2 units in fiscal year 2027, representing a 16.9 percent year-on-year decline from the previous year. The company attributed the expected decline to strong launch-year sales and the announced price revisions, while characterizing the projected sales level as solid adoption for the console's second year.
Switch 2 price increases €30 in Europe
Nintendo increased the price of Switch 2 in European markets from €469.99 to €499.99, effective September 1, 2026. The approximately €30 price increase applies to the European market, representing a significant cost adjustment for consumers in the region.
Nintendo announces global price increase for Switch 2 console
Nintendo announced a worldwide price increase for the Switch 2 console, citing changes in market conditions as the reason. The company stated that the impact of various market condition changes is expected to extend over the medium to long term, necessitating price revisions globally.
Nintendo Switch 2 gaming cards prices increase in Japan
Nintendo increased prices on Japan-only playing cards and Hanafuda/Kabufuda cards effective May 25, 2026, as part of its broader price adjustment initiative in the Japanese market.
Nintendo sold 19.86 million Switch 2 units in fiscal year 2026
Nintendo reported that it sold 19.86 million units of Switch 2 in fiscal year 2026, following the console's June 2025 launch. This exceeded the original Switch's first full fiscal year sales of 15.05 million units. However, Nintendo noted that Switch 2 sales were more concentrated in the launch year compared to previous hardware systems.
Switch 2 price rises $50 in Canada
Nintendo increased the price of Switch 2 in Canada from $629.99 to $679.99 Canadian dollars, effective September 1, 2026. The $50 Canadian increase aligns with price adjustments in other North American markets.
Sony announced PlayStation 5 price increase in March 2026
Sony announced significant price increases for its PlayStation range in March 2026, with the base PS5 console increasing by approximately £90 in the United Kingdom. Industry analysts predicted that Microsoft and Nintendo would likely follow with their own price increases.
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2 alternative perspectives
Nintendo Switch 2 sales decline sharply in year two projections
Switch 2 sales projected to fall 17 percent in FY2027 after record FY2026 debut amid global price hikes.
Nintendo rolls out Switch 2 price increases across major markets
Nintendo raises Switch 2 prices globally due to component costs and tariffs.