Nintendo has confirmed that the UK price of the Nintendo Switch 2 will rise to £429.99 from September 1, an increase of £24. The announcement was made via a brief X post, which also set a new Ireland price of €499.99, up €30. The price hike follows Nintendo's earlier statement in May that it would raise the console's price due to ongoing memory shortages affecting the games industry.
Price increase details and context
Nintendo had previously announced price increases for Japan, the US, Canada, and Europe but had delayed revealing the UK cost. The new UK price of £429.99 is a £24 increase from the original £395.99. When Nintendo confirmed a $50 US price hike to $499.99, analysts estimated the UK increase would be between £20 and £30, a prediction now borne out.
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa publicly apologised for the price increase, stating that the new price “does not fully account for all cost increases.” This suggests Nintendo may be selling the Switch 2 at a loss even with the higher price tag.
Comparison with rival consoles
The Switch 2's £24 increase is significantly smaller than price hikes by Sony and Microsoft. The PlayStation 5 rose by £90 in March, meaning the cheaper digital model now costs £519.99. The Xbox Series X and Series S have seen increases of more than £100, with the Xbox Series X now priced at £619.99. Microsoft quietly acknowledged these increases earlier this month.
Microsoft's price hike is unlikely to boost its already struggling console sales, according to industry observers.
Buying options and upcoming releases
Consumers have less than two weeks to purchase the Switch 2 at its original £395.99 price before the increase takes effect. Nintendo is offering custom bundles via its website, allowing buyers to add one digital game, a Switch Online membership, and a free accessory.
A dedicated Pokémon Pokopia bundle is available for £429.99, which includes a digital copy of the game for £34 instead of the usual £58.99. Nintendo is expected to boost Switch 2 sales ahead of Christmas, with leaked images suggesting a Legend of Zelda themed console to celebrate the series' 40th anniversary. The release is expected to coincide with a Switch 2 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, scheduled for launch before the end of the year.
