Ethan Crossfield 
Nintendo has said it does not currently plan to increase the price of the Switch 2, offering consumers some stability at a time when rising memory costs are putting fresh pressure on the console business. The update arrived alongside the company’s latest financial results, which showed weaker Switch 2 sales and lower operating profit but left Nintendo standing by its sales outlook for the rest of 2026.
What happened: Nintendo ruled out an immediate Switch 2 increase
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa told investors that Switch 2 hardware pricing will remain unchanged for the time being. The reassurance is notable because the console already received a price increase earlier in 2026, while component costs continue to be affected by a broader shortage of memory. Manufacturers have increasingly prioritized AI data-center demand, tightening supply for consumer electronics and contributing to higher production costs across the industry. Furukawa indicated that Nintendo is in a position to secure the memory it needs, reducing the immediate need to pass those costs on to buyers.
Why it matters: Stable pricing could support Nintendo's holiday push
The announcement lands against a mixed financial backdrop. Switch 2 sales fell 37% year over year, while Nintendo’s operating profit declined 16%. Even so, the company has kept its forecast of 16 million Switch 2 units sold across the remainder of 2026. Holding the current price gives Nintendo a clearer message for holiday shoppers: the cost of entry is not about to rise again. That matters for buyers weighing consoles, bundles, first-party games and special editions during a crowded retail period. It also provides a measure of confidence for fans concerned that rising component costs could quickly translate into another hardware adjustment.
What to watch next: Zelda demand and supply will be key
Nintendo has potential momentum from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, which has received an exceptionally strong early critical response. A major Zelda release could help the company close the gap toward its year-end hardware target if it converts interest into console purchases. Demand is also evident for the Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2, which sold out quickly. Target and Best Buy have announced plans for additional stock in the first week of November. The crucial questions now are whether Nintendo can maintain supply, sustain software interest and turn special-edition demand into broader Switch 2 sales.
What players should take from Nintendo's update
- Nintendo does not currently expect to raise Switch 2 console prices again.
- The company says it can secure sufficient memory supply despite wider market pressure.
- Switch 2 sales are down year over year, but Nintendo has not reduced its 2026 sales forecast.
- The Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 may receive more retailer stock in early November.
- Ocarina of Time remake could become an important driver for late-year hardware demand.
Nintendo figures highlighted in the latest update
| Metric | Reported position |
|---|---|
| Switch 2 sales | Down 37% year over year |
| Operating profit | Down 16% |
| Switch 2 forecast for the rest of 2026 | 16 million units |
| Switch 2 pricing | No change planned for now |
Expert View
Nintendo’s decision is strategically sound: a second price increase so soon after the earlier 2026 adjustment could have weakened holiday demand when the company needs hardware momentum most. The bigger test is execution. Stable prices will help, but Nintendo still needs dependable inventory and a major software release such as Ocarina of Time to translate consumer interest into the sales recovery investors want.
