Nintendo Switch 2 Price Is Going Up Globally, Bad News For Import Buyers
Nintendo has confirmed that the Nintendo Switch 2 is getting more expensive in several major markets, and yeah, this one matters even if you are buying from Malaysia.
According to GamingBolt, the company says the price change is tied to the impact of shifting market conditions, which Nintendo expects to continue over the medium to long term. Translation for normal people: costs are not calming down anytime soon, so the console price is going up.
From September 1, the Switch 2 will be priced at:
- US: $499.99, up from $449.99
- Canada: $679.99 CAD, up from $629.99 CAD
- Europe: €499.99, up from €469.99
That is a pretty chunky jump for a console that already sits in premium handheld territory. For Malaysian players, there is no local price mentioned in the report, but import pricing usually follows what happens in big launch markets. If local retailers, grey import sellers, or Shopee/Lazada stores are sourcing from the US, Europe, Japan or nearby regional channels, expect the new pricing pressure to show up sooner or later.
Japan is also getting hit, but the changes are a bit more specific. The Switch 2 Japanese-Language System will increase from ¥49,980 to ¥59,980 starting May 25. However, the Multi-Language Model is not changing in price for now. That detail is important for SEA buyers because imported Japanese units often show up online, and language/model differences can matter a lot when you are buying outside official channels.
Nintendo is not only touching the new machine either. The original Switch family is also getting price hikes in Japan:
- Switch OLED Model: ¥47,980, up from ¥37,980
- Standard Switch: ¥43,980, up from ¥32,978
- Switch Lite: ¥29,980, up from ¥21,978
That makes the older hardware less of an easy budget option, especially for parents or casual buyers who were waiting for Switch 2 to push old Switch prices down. If anything, this move suggests Nintendo still sees value in the current Switch lineup and is not ready to treat it like clearance-bin hardware.
Nintendo Switch Online is also getting pricier in Japan from July 1. The Individual plan will move to ¥400 per month, ¥1,000 for three months, and ¥3,000 for one year, compared to the current ¥306, ¥815 and ¥2,400 prices. The Family Membership plan is rising from ¥4,500 to ¥5,800.
For the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, Individuals will pay ¥5,900, up from ¥4,900, while the Family plan goes to ¥9,900, up from ¥8,900.
For Malaysia and SEA, the big thing to watch is timing. Anyone planning to import a Switch 2 should probably compare prices before and after September 1, especially if sellers start adjusting listings early. If you already see a reasonable bundle from a trusted shop, this price hike gives you one more reason not to wait forever.
Still, this is not a small psychological shift. Nintendo consoles usually feel like the “fun, accessible” option next to PlayStation and Xbox, but at $499.99, the Switch 2 is now firmly in serious console-money territory. The games will still sell, no doubt, but buyers in Malaysia are going to be much more sensitive to bundle value, warranty coverage, region support and whether the launch library justifies the extra cash.
Source: GamingBolt
