You may need to seize a Swap 2 now to keep away from a worth hike later in 2026

[ad_1] The Japanese leisure big Nintendo launched the much-awaited successor to the Swap handheld gaming console in June 2025, dubbed Swap 2. It supplied upgrades in virtually all elements, together with the show, GPU, battery life, and equipment.

The console debuted at a launch worth of $449 (for the console) and $499 for the Mario Kart World bundle. Since then, it has remained out there on the similar worth, though different widespread consoles just like the PlayStation 5 (Digital Version) and Xbox Sequence S (512GB) noticed worth hikes of $50 and $100, respectively.

<img decoding="async" width="5712" height="4284" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://www.digitaltrends.com/tachyon/2025/06/nintendo-switch-2-welcome-tour-airplane-tray-table.jpeg?resize=5712%2C4284" alt="A hand holds a Joy-con like a mouse on an airplane tray table." class="wp-image-3937335"/> Giovanni Colantonio / Digital Tendencies

Why Nintendo’s $449 retail tag may not survive 2026

Nevertheless, that may not be the case in 2026. The reminiscence and storage disaster is already affecting the retail costs within the smartphone, PC, and laptop computer business. There was a dramatic improve in reminiscence demand for AI information facilities. Suppliers are operating low on inventory, driving up costs for finish customers.

In response to the market analytics agency Niko Companions, Nintendo might observe the footsteps of firms like Sony and Microsoft. Citing a number of components, such because the “impression from tariffs, elevated reminiscence prices, and broader macroeconomic situations,” Nintendo might revise the Swap 2 pricing.

“The Nintendo Swap 2 will see a worldwide worth hike,” mentions the agency in its “10 Main Tendencies To Watch In 2026” report. A world worth hike might immediate revisions throughout all markets the place the Swap 2 is obtainable, together with the US.

<img decoding="async" width="2000" height="1500" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://www.digitaltrends.com/tachyon/2025/08/Nintendo-Switch-2-Nomad-Tracking-Card-Case-3.jpg?resize=2000%2C1500" alt="The official Nintendo Switch 2 All-in-One Carry Case and the Nomad Tracking Card" class="wp-image-4515386"/> Nirave Gondhia / Digital Tendencies

Now, Nintendo might go in regards to the impending worth hike in two methods. The primary and most evident means is to extend the console’s retail worth, which presently stands at $449. The second, and maybe the extra possible, means is to discontinue the $449 console-only SKU and substitute it with the $499 bundle.

The second technique received’t solely improve the common promoting worth of Nintendo’s console; it might additionally drive in additional income than the corporate makes from promoting the cheaper one. Whereas it’s clear that Nintendo intends to extend the entry-level worth of its Swap 2, a tentative timeline for a similar isn’t completely clear in the intervening time.