Nintendo will increase the US price of its original Switch console starting August 3, citing “market conditions.”

The company has not disclosed the updated pricing details.

Previously, the original Switch was priced at US$299, while the Switch 2 was listed at US$449.

The price of the Switch 2 console remains unchanged.

Prices for the Switch OLED and Lite models, as well as certain accessories, including some for the Switch 2, will also be adjusted.

Other products, such as the Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo, will be affected too.

Nintendo recently raised the cost of Switch 2 accessories after the introduction of US tariffs on products from Japan, Vietnam, and China.

🔗 Source: Bloomberg

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Nintendo follows industry-wide tariff-driven price increases but remains more conservative

Nintendo’s price adjustment reflects a broader pattern across the gaming industry as companies respond to tariff pressures.

Microsoft recently raised Xbox Series S prices from $299.99 to $379.99 and Xbox Series X by $100, while Sony has warned of potential PlayStation price hikes due to tariffs12.

Industry analysts predict console price increases of 40-58% due to the Trump administration’s tariffs on imports from China, Vietnam, and Japan, which are key manufacturing regions for gaming hardware34.

Nintendo’s approach appears more measured compared to competitors, as the company kept its Switch 2 pricing unchanged at $449 while Microsoft and Sony have implemented substantial increases on their flagship consoles5.

The Entertainment Software Association warns that tariffs threaten the $59.3 billion US gaming industry, which supports over 350,000 jobs with average compensation of $168,6003.

2️⃣ Strategic timing suggests Nintendo is testing market tolerance after competitors moved first

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