Nintendo Switch 2 Price Hike Expected in 2026 Amid Global RAM Shortage, Says Niko Partners
As the global electronics market grapples with rising component costs and macroeconomic headwinds, Nintendo Switch 2 could soon face a significant price increase.
Leading industry research firm Niko Partners has pinpointed the Nintendo Switch 2 as a focal point for hardware price adjustments in 2026, citing ballooning RAM prices, mounting US tariffs, and heightened global demand for computer memory due to artificial intelligence data centers. This analysis comes from Niko Partners’ recently published list of '10 Major Trends To Watch in 2026,' reflecting the firm’s expertise in Asian and worldwide gaming markets.
Headquartered in China, Niko Partners regularly tracks market fluctuations across the broader electronics and gaming industries, with many trends observed regionally carrying influence on a global scale. According to Niko Partners' latest assessment, "Nintendo is poised to follow the pricing strategies recently seen by Sony and Microsoft, likely raising the Switch 2’s retail cost in response to increased tariffs, higher memory and component prices, and ongoing macroeconomic challenges." The company highlighted that while Nintendo held its ground on the $449 price point for the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025—even as tariffs mounted—the rapidly growing demand for RAM and storage, largely driven by the tech sector’s shift towards AI-driven data centers, has now shifted the market dynamics significantly. The research firm further suggested that Nintendo may discontinue the standard $449 Switch 2 model, instead favoring a bundled SKU, possibly priced at $499 or higher.
This would reflect Nintendo’s need to keep pace with rising production costs while still providing value through hardware bundles that include software or accessories. The potential pricing shift mirrors moves seen late in the lifecycle of other Nintendo hardware, such as the 3DS, which saw the retail price of various bundles inch upward in its final years.
Industry watchers are drawing comparisons as Nintendo evaluates how to balance manufacturing expenses, consumer demand, and overall profit margins. No official comment has been issued by Nintendo regarding possible price changes for the Switch 2.
However, as global trends continue to impact the cost of electronics across the board, all eyes are on Nintendo’s next moves in the hardware market.
The situation reflects a broader pattern affecting not only consoles but video games, accessories, and even eShop offerings as hardware costs continue to shift. As of 2025, the Nintendo Switch 2 has helped expand the Japanese video game market by nearly 40%, confirming strong consumer demand even in the face of stiffer economic challenges.
With blockbuster titles and high demand from international players, Nintendo’s strategic response to these pricing pressures will be widely watched by both industry analysts and gaming enthusiasts worldwide. Stay tuned for more news as global economic trends continue to shape the future of the Nintendo Switch 2 and the gaming hardware sector.
Leading industry research firm Niko Partners has pinpointed the Nintendo Switch 2 as a focal point for hardware price adjustments in 2026, citing ballooning RAM prices, mounting US tariffs, and heightened global demand for computer memory due to artificial intelligence data centers. This analysis comes from Niko Partners’ recently published list of '10 Major Trends To Watch in 2026,' reflecting the firm’s expertise in Asian and worldwide gaming markets.
Headquartered in China, Niko Partners regularly tracks market fluctuations across the broader electronics and gaming industries, with many trends observed regionally carrying influence on a global scale. According to Niko Partners' latest assessment, "Nintendo is poised to follow the pricing strategies recently seen by Sony and Microsoft, likely raising the Switch 2’s retail cost in response to increased tariffs, higher memory and component prices, and ongoing macroeconomic challenges." The company highlighted that while Nintendo held its ground on the $449 price point for the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025—even as tariffs mounted—the rapidly growing demand for RAM and storage, largely driven by the tech sector’s shift towards AI-driven data centers, has now shifted the market dynamics significantly. The research firm further suggested that Nintendo may discontinue the standard $449 Switch 2 model, instead favoring a bundled SKU, possibly priced at $499 or higher.
This would reflect Nintendo’s need to keep pace with rising production costs while still providing value through hardware bundles that include software or accessories. The potential pricing shift mirrors moves seen late in the lifecycle of other Nintendo hardware, such as the 3DS, which saw the retail price of various bundles inch upward in its final years.
Industry watchers are drawing comparisons as Nintendo evaluates how to balance manufacturing expenses, consumer demand, and overall profit margins. No official comment has been issued by Nintendo regarding possible price changes for the Switch 2.
However, as global trends continue to impact the cost of electronics across the board, all eyes are on Nintendo’s next moves in the hardware market.
The situation reflects a broader pattern affecting not only consoles but video games, accessories, and even eShop offerings as hardware costs continue to shift. As of 2025, the Nintendo Switch 2 has helped expand the Japanese video game market by nearly 40%, confirming strong consumer demand even in the face of stiffer economic challenges.
With blockbuster titles and high demand from international players, Nintendo’s strategic response to these pricing pressures will be widely watched by both industry analysts and gaming enthusiasts worldwide. Stay tuned for more news as global economic trends continue to shape the future of the Nintendo Switch 2 and the gaming hardware sector.
