Nintendo Switch Pricing Update: A Surprising Increase Following New Release
It has been slightly more than two months since the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, and already, Nintendo has opted to increase prices on the original Nintendo Switch. In a brief and somewhat disappointing update shared on their official site last week, Nintendo announced plans to modify the U.S. prices for all versions of the original Switch, effective August 3.
The anticipated pricing overhaul has now taken effect. According to Nintendo’s website, the standard model of Switch has risen to $340 (up from the previous $300), while the OLED variant now costs $400 (previously $350). The Lite version, designed for portability, now retails for $230 (increased from $200). Furthermore, some accessories have also seen price hikes, with a pair of Switch Joy-Cons now costing $90 (up from $80). Even the Alarmo clock’s price has increased by $10. It’s important to note that alternate pricing may temporarily appear at different retailers as they adjust their inventories, but the new pricing structure will be maintained going forward.
Raising prices on an older model right after the launch of its successor is an unusual decision. Of particular interest is that the OLED model is now only $50 less than the new Switch 2, which, while lacking the OLED screen, offers exclusive games and various enhancements.
What could be the reasoning behind these price adjustments? In the company’s blog, Nintendo cited “market conditions” as the primary cause for the increased prices, following new tariffs introduced recently in the United States.
The announcement regarding the Switch 1 price hike arrived just one day post an executive order from the White House, which threatened the imposition of additional tariffs on trade partners starting August 7. Japan, Nintendo’s country of origin, faces a 15% tariff, which, while not as steep as some other nations’ tariffs (Switzerland’s is at 39%), still adds financial strain. Moreover, a significant portion of Switch production occurs in Vietnam, which faces a 20% tariff.
With the new pricing reflecting about a 13% increase, it’s evident how these changes came to be. Interestingly, the Switch 2 has not seen any upward adjustments in pricing, likely aimed at maintaining its sales momentum after achieving impressive sales figures, which have doubled the initial month sales of the original model.
Games for both the Switch and Switch 2, along with Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions, remain unaffected by these price hikes.
This update follows a previous increase for Switch 1 systems in Canada, where the Switch and Switch Lite saw a $20 price increase, and the Switch OLED was adjusted up by $40.
