Nintendo Switch 2 owners may have avoided a price hike at launch, but that could be about to change. A major component shortage is now pushing costs up across the gaming industry in 2026. The Switch 2 already launched in June 2025 at a higher price than the original Switch, and nobody wants to see it go up further.
According to Gaming Bible, a combination of tech industry problems looks set to force Nintendo into raising prices for the Switch 2 this year. Accessories for the console have already become more expensive, even though the console itself has stayed at its launch price. Nintendo has been managing manufacturing costs against tariffs, but a new and bigger problem has now emerged.
The main issue is a widespread RAM shortage affecting technology manufacturing right now. AI data centers are consuming huge amounts of memory, and companies that used to supply RAM to console makers are now sending most of their production to large AI facilities. This has left companies like Nintendo, and even the makers of the Steam Deck, struggling to get the memory they need.
The RAM shortage driven by AI demand is making it harder for Nintendo to hold the line on Switch 2 pricing
RAM is not only scarce, but its price has also risen sharply. Nintendo has been absorbing these extra costs to keep the Switch 2’s price stable so far, but it is unlikely they can continue doing this as the year goes on. A well-known leaker called CentroLeaks recently commented on the situation, sharing information that suggests price hikes are on the way.
The problem is widespread enough that it could even affect the release of the PlayStation 6, with rumors pointing to a possible delay as late as 2029. This shows just how serious the RAM shortage is across the entire gaming industry, not just for Nintendo. Nintendo has also been in the news recently after a thumb in one of its ads sparked an AI controversy, showing that the company has had no shortage of attention in 2025.
It is not yet clear exactly how much Switch 2 prices will increase, but the jump could be large enough to make the console difficult for many families and gamers to afford. The current pricing window does appear to be closing, based on everything pointing in that direction right now.
For anyone who has been thinking about buying a Nintendo Switch 2, getting one sooner rather than later may be the smarter move. Those curious about the Nintendo Switch 2 gaming experience may find it worth acting on now before costs rise. The longer people wait, the more likely they are to feel the impact of these rising costs.
Overall, while Nintendo has done a reasonable job of shielding customers from price increases up to this point, the scale of the RAM shortage makes further delays to a price hike seem unlikely. The combination of AI-driven demand pulling memory supply away from gaming hardware and the added pressure of tariffs creates a difficult situation for the company to manage through 2026.
Published: Feb 22, 2026 03:15 pm