Nintendo expands Switch 2 games after global price hikes

At an investor briefing, Nintendo President Shutaro Furukawa outlined plans to expand the Switch 2 software lineup to boost ownership value following recent price increases. The company is raising the Switch 2 price in Japan by ¥10,000 effective May 25, 2026, and increasing the U.S. price from $449.99 to $499.99 on Sept. 1, 2026.

Nintendo has applied price increases to the original family of Switch systems in Japan as well.

Furukawa described current demand for the Switch 2 in its second year as “firm” and said overall adoption is progressing smoothly, while acknowledging the higher retail cost could be a hurdle for new buyers.

To add value for owners and prospective buyers, Nintendo will rely on established and upcoming first-party franchises. The company pointed to entries in Splatoon and Fire Emblem, a new generation of Pokémon planned for 2027, and a Switch 2 exclusive Star Fox title scheduled for release next month.

Furukawa added, “We will prepare a robust software lineup to enhance the Switch 2 ownership value. We will work diligently to overcome this barrier.”

Nintendo framed the expanded software slate as the primary tool to sustain sales momentum after the global price adjustments, focusing on first-party releases to support system adoption despite the higher retail cost.