The Switch 2’s $50 price increase is happening next week

Nintendo's Switch 2 will cost $50 more starting September 1st, per The Verge. The base 256GB model — the version that ships without a game — moves from $449.99 to $499.99 next Tuesday.

Nintendo had given advance notice of the increase ahead of time, according to The Verge. Alongside the price bump, the company recently announced two new bundles, both priced well over $500, that include a game at a slight discount and are set to ship later this fall.

The Switch 2 features a 7.9-inch LCD display, magnetically attached Joy-Con 2 controllers, and backwards compatibility with most original Switch games. Exclusive titles on the platform include Donkey Kong Bananza and Kirby Air Riders, with upcoming releases such as a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and The Duskbloods also confirmed for the console.

The Verge attributes the price increase to broader memory market pressures it calls "RAMageddon" — a shortage driving up the cost of RAM and storage across consumer electronics. The Switch 2 uses speedy RAM and storage, making it particularly exposed to those supply dynamics. The outlet notes that nearly all competing handheld gaming devices have already seen price increases, though Nintendo's $50 bump is described as relatively modest compared to the Steam Deck OLED, which reportedly saw a price increase of more than $200.

Shoppers who purchase before September 1st can still get the console at the current $449.99 price through major retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, and Target, per The Verge. No changes to the console's hardware or software are associated with the price adjustment.