We are living in strange times. The video game industry has not been doing well and the cracks are showing in various places. Developers continue to lay people off or close entire divisions, high profile games are getting cancelled, the retro game market is seeing prices surging, and current console and computer hardware are seeing price increases too. So far, Nintendo is the only major console manufacturer that hasn’t increased the price of their latest hardware, but rumors are abound that this is set to change.
Nintendo Switch 2 Price Rumors Explained
When the Switch 2 released on June 5th, 2025, it sold with two different SKUs. One with just the system for $449.99 and the other with Mario Kart World for $499.99. So far, these prices have remained consistent but there are factors in play that suggest they’re going to increase. One such factor is the volatile economic climate that’s being dictated by Donald Trump. The United States President’s seemingly impulsive implementation, adjustment, removal, reimplementation, and threats of tariffs have thrown pricing off for many business that have to import products into the US.
There’s also the matter of what’s happening with shortages surrounding RAM. The increase of investment in AI is causing problems across the industry. Remember when there was a chip shortage during COVID-19? Well, now we’re seeing shortages in numerous computer resources because AI research, development, and maintenance is so resource intensive. With RAM and semiconductors being in short supply, prices are naturally going to increase to accommodate for this.
Why Rising Console Prices Are Unusual
We are currently in the only console generation where prices are going up for consoles, years after they’ve been released. This is not normal. Usually, the longer something has been on the market, the cheaper it gets for buyers to draw in more people. So, while these reports are still just rumors as far as Nintendo is concerned, there’s enough evidence in the market in general to give these some weight. We’re not saying to go out and buy a Switch 2 now before it happens, but this writer can say from personal experience that he’s glad he bought his PS5 and Xbox Series X when he did.
We will continue to monitor this situation and update you when more information becomes available.
