An analyst said in April 2025 that tariffs were unlikely to trigger an immediate Nintendo Switch 2 price increase. That forecast described the situation at the time, not a lasting price guarantee: Nintendo kept the U.S. launch price at $449.99, then announced a U.S. increase to $499.99 effective September 1, 2026. Nintendo cited broader market conditions and its global business outlook, not tariffs alone.
What the analyst forecast—and when
On April 9, 2025, Ars Technica reported that Piers Harding-Rolls of Ampere Analysis considered an immediate price increase unlikely. His reasoning was that much of an assumed 20% increase had already been reflected in the roughly $450 U.S. price. This was an assessment during a volatile tariff situation, not a promise that the price would never rise. Ars Technica’s April 9, 2025 report attributed the assessment to Harding-Rolls; it was not a directly examined Ampere Analysis report.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Nintendo Switch 2 System | $499.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Nintendo Switch 2 System with Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 Bundle | $568.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle with Bonus HDMI Cable & Screen Cleaning Cloth | $619.00 | Buy on Amazon |
What happened to the U.S. price
Nintendo confirmed in April 2025 that the U.S. Switch 2 system would launch at $449.99, with the Mario Kart World bundle at $499.99. The console launched June 5, 2025. Nintendo also said accessory prices would be adjusted and that further product price adjustments remained possible depending on market conditions. Nintendo’s April 2025 U.S. pricing announcement is the source for those launch-era prices.
That launch price did not remain in place indefinitely. Nintendo’s May 8, 2026 U.S. notice changed the Switch 2 MSRP from $449.99 to $499.99, effective September 1, 2026. Both U.S. figures are before tax. The revised figure is Nintendo’s stated MSRP, not a verified live price from any particular retailer. Nintendo’s U.S. price-adjustment notice gives the effective date and prices.
#1 Best Overall
- The next evolution of Nintendo Switch
- One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
- Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
- Dock that supports 4K when connected to a compatible TV*
- GameChat** lets you voice chat, share your game screen, and connect via video chat as you play
What Nintendo said about the increase
Nintendo cited changes in the market environment and its medium- to long-term global business outlook. Its notice did not identify tariffs as the sole or specific cause of the U.S. console increase, so it would be inaccurate to describe the change as officially confirmed to be tariff-driven.
In comments reported by TechRadar, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa said: “While it’s difficult to accurately gauge the future impact, our basic policy is to recognize tariffs as a cost and pass them on to prices as much as possible, not just in the US,” He also said the company was carefully considering the situation during a crucial period for its game business. These secondary-source comments describe Nintendo’s general approach to tariffs; they do not establish that tariffs alone caused the later Switch 2 price revisions. TechRadar’s report on Furukawa’s comments provides the quotation and context.
Rank #2
- The next evolution of the Nintendo Switch system
- One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
- Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
- Supports up to 4K resolution** when using a compatible game and TV connected via the included Nintendo Switch 2 dock
- Nintendo Switch 2 plays compatible physical and digital Nintendo Switch games.***
Official price changes by region
Nintendo’s May 2026 notice lists different currencies, tax treatment and effective dates across regions. The figures below are official prices, not currency conversions or retailer listings.
| Territory | Earlier price | Revised price | Tax treatment | Effective date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $449.99 | $499.99 | Before tax | September 1, 2026 |
| Canada | C$629.99 | C$679.99 | Before tax | September 1, 2026 |
| Europe | €469.99 | €499.99 | Including tax; My Nintendo Store price | September 1, 2026 |
| Japan | ¥49,980 | ¥59,980 | Domestic-only model MSRP | May 25, 2026 |
The U.S., European and Japanese figures come from Nintendo’s May 2026 notice. Nintendo’s Canadian notice independently confirms the Canadian revision and its September 1, 2026 effective date. Because tax treatment and territories differ, these amounts should not be compared as if they were tax-equivalent prices.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- 【Ultimate Nintendo Switch 2 Bundle – Ready to Play】Includes the complete Nintendo Switch 2 console and a full-game download of Mario Kart World, so you can start racing right out of the box. Perfect for gamers of all ages and playstyles.
- 【Next-Gen Hybrid Gaming with Stunning Visuals】Experience a vivid 7.9‑inch 1080p LCD touchscreen with HDR support, and enjoy 4K TV output at up to 60 fps when docked — for immersive gameplay at home or on the go.
- 【Versatile 3 Play Modes】Seamlessly switch between Handheld, Tabletop, and TV modes — all featuring intuitive controls and smooth performance, wherever you choose to play.
- 【Enhanced Social Gaming with GameChat & Multiplayer】Connect with friends locally, enjoy online multiplayer with up to 24 players, and use voice chat via GameChat (internet connection and Nintendo Switch Online membership required after trial period).
- 【Powerful Storage & Joy‑Con 2 Controllers】Includes 256 GB internal storage (expandable with microSD), magnetic Joy‑Con 2 controllers, docking station, HDMI cable, AC adapter, grip, and straps — everything you need for the ultimate gaming setup.
What this means for buyers
If you are checking the U.S. cost, use $499.99 as Nintendo’s MSRP from September 1, 2026, before tax; a retailer’s actual selling price or stock status may differ. For another country, check Nintendo’s local listing and account for the tax treatment shown there. The 2025 analyst forecast explains why an immediate increase seemed unlikely at launch, but it is not current price guidance.
Storage is a separate, optional cost to consider rather than a requirement for every buyer. Nintendo lists 256GB of internal Switch 2 storage and says additional storage uses microSD Express cards. Nintendo’s April 2025 U.S. price list included a Samsung 256GB microSD Express card at $59.99, but that is a historical launch-era price, not a current retail quote. Some original Nintendo Switch games may not be supported or fully compatible on Switch 2. See Nintendo’s Switch 2 product information for storage and compatibility details.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
