Nintendo hikes Switch 2 prices worldwide as memory chip costs surge, Sony PS5 also up
Nintendo announced it will raise the price of its Switch 2 console: a 20% increase in Japan from May 25, an 11% rise in the United States to $499.99 from September 1, and a 6% increase in Europe to 499.99 euros. The price hikes are driven by soaring memory chip costs linked to the AI boom and supply disruptions from the Iran war. Nintendo also forecast a 27% drop in net profit to 310 billion yen ($1.98 billion) for the year ending March 2026, with sales expected to fall 11.4% to 2.05 trillion yen.
Sony, whose PlayStation 5 already saw a price increase, reported selling 16 million PS5 units in the past fiscal year, down from 18.5 million the year before, but projected a 13% rise in income despite falling sales of its ageing console.
For Nigerian gamers who import consoles or purchase through local retailers, these global price increases may lead to higher costs for the Switch 2 and potentially affect PS5 pricing as well. The rises reflect broader trends in component costs that could influence pricing of other electronics and gaming accessories in the Nigerian market.
To manage the impact, consider monitoring prices before the May 25 Japan increase if importing, checking for bundles or promotions from authorized local distributors, exploring the used console market, or evaluating whether the current PS5 price offers better value given its larger game library and expected software-driven profit growth for Sony.