that Nintendo Switch 2 For now, it's unlikely that the rising cost of RAM will make it more expensive. However, Nintendo is closely monitoring the situation. Pricing has been a bit of a controversial topic for the console, with fears of price increases due to tariffs surrounding launch and many gamers criticizing the cost of games, game upgrades, and accessories. Fortunately, the Nintendo Switch 2 doesn't appear to be affected by widespread market changes for now, but that doesn't mean a price increase is impossible in the future.
There has been a lot of talk about rising prices since RAM costs began to skyrocket in late 2025. As chipmakers like Samsung, Micron, and SK Hynix divert more memory to AI data centers and less memory to the gaming sector, prices for RAM, SSDs, and other components have skyrocketed with no signs of slowing down. While the shortage has primarily affected PC gamers, there's been talk that Xbox and Sony might delay the launch of their next-gen consoles because of it, and now Nintendo has provided some clarity on how it will approach all of this.
16 Big Switch 2 games coming soon
Nintendo's latest financial report highlights 10 of its first-party games coming for the Switch 2 console.
Nintendo boss says Switch 2 is currently safe from rising RAM costs
In an interview with the Kyoto Shimbun, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa stated that the Switch 2 will remain priced the same for the time being, as he admitted that the current RAM market is “volatile” but “there will be no immediate impact on profits.” There were concerns that Nintendo could pass on higher RAM costs to Switch 2 buyers, but the company has avoided this for now due to its supply chain strategy. Furukawa explained that Nintendo already has enough RAM to weather the current storm because it has ordered parts and materials based on mid- to long-term forecasts. However, the president cautioned that the situation may change in the future.
Furukawa noted that Nintendo is closely monitoring the memory market due to its current volatility. He didn't say whether the Switch 2 will become more expensive once costs reach a certain point, but it's safe to assume that if the company thinks RAM prices are going to get too high or expensive for too long, they'll at least consider it. Current safety stocks will eventually be depleted, at which point history suggests an increase may be necessary. In the fall of 2025, Nintendo raised the price of the original Switch, citing market conditions. mario Makers are not shy about working when the economy gets tough.
Current signs don't look promising for anyone looking to buy a Switch 2 in the future. There may not be an immediate price increase, but the memory crisis could continue for some time, increasing the risk that Nintendo will run out of safety stock. Micron said in its last earnings call that it expects the RAM shortage to persist beyond 2026 as production takes time to catch up with surging demand. If the market remains tight for too long, Nintendo may re-strategize and raise Switch 2 costs to account for higher manufacturing costs, even if it avoids this in the short term.
RAM-related costs may not be the only macroeconomic factor affecting Nintendo hardware. Furukawa said the company is still looking at tariffs and ways to make prices more expensive. Unfortunately for consumers, he said Nintendo's policy is to “recognize tariffs as a cost and pass them on to the price wherever possible.” This means that higher costs on Nintendo's part will almost certainly be passed on to buyers. Notably, Nintendo raised the prices of some Switch 2 accessories shortly before the console was released in the US due to tariffs, so a hike for the system itself is by no means out of the question.
- brand
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nintendo
- original release date
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June 5, 2025
- Original MSRP (USD)
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$449.99
- operating system
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ownership
- solve
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1080p (portable) / 4K (docked)
- HDR support
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yes
Source: Kyoto Shimbun
