Nintendo hasn't announced an official price for the Switch 2 yet

As of now, Nintendo has not released a confirmed price for the Switch 2. The company typically announces pricing closer to a console's launch date, not months in advance. Based on Nintendo's past pattern with the original Switch and Switch OLED, you can expect an announcement sometime before the console becomes available to purchase, but the exact timing remains unknown.

What we do know is that Nintendo tends to price new hardware in a specific range based on what it's offering. The original Switch launched at $299 in 2017, and the Switch OLED model came in at $349 when it released in 2021. These prices give you a reasonable window for what the Switch 2 might cost, though the actual number could fall above or below these figures depending on what features Nintendo includes.

Key Takeaways

  • Nintendo has not announced an official Switch 2 price, and typically waits until closer to launch to reveal pricing.
  • The original Switch launched at $299 and the Switch OLED at $349, which suggests the Switch 2 could fall somewhere in that range or higher.
  • The final price will depend on what hardware upgrades and features Nintendo includes in the new console.
  • Different regions may have different prices, and Nintendo sometimes offers bundles that include games or accessories at launch.

What past Nintendo console prices tell us

Nintendo's pricing history shows a pattern worth examining. When the Switch first launched in March 2017, it cost $299 for the standard model. Seven years later, when Nintendo released the Switch OLED in October 2021, the price jumped to $349. The Switch Lite, a budget handheld-only version released in 2019, cost $199.

This history suggests Nintendo is willing to charge more when a console offers significant improvements — the OLED model's larger screen and better display justified the $50 increase. If the Switch 2 includes meaningful upgrades like a faster processor, better graphics, or a larger screen, Nintendo could price it at $349, $399, or even higher. If the company wants to keep the console accessible, it might stay at $299.

How hardware improvements affect the price

The Switch 2's actual cost will depend heavily on what's inside. Rumors suggest the new console will have a more powerful processor and improved graphics capabilities compared to the original Switch. Better processors and graphics chips cost more to manufacture, which typically gets passed along to the consumer.

Other factors that could influence price include screen size and quality, battery life, storage capacity, and the materials used in construction. If Nintendo includes a significantly larger or higher-resolution screen, that alone could add $30 to $50 to the final price. Improved battery life, which many Switch owners want, requires better battery technology that costs more upfront.

Regional pricing and bundle options

Nintendo doesn't charge the same price everywhere. When the Switch OLED launched at $349 in the United States, it cost £309 in the United Kingdom and ¥54,980 in Japan. Currency exchange rates and regional market conditions mean the Switch 2 will likely have different prices in different countries, even if the base US price is set.

At launch, Nintendo often bundles the console with games or accessories. The original Switch sometimes came packaged with a game like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, while other bundles included extra controllers or carrying cases. These bundles typically cost more than the console alone but offer better value if you were planning to buy those items anyway. Watch for official Nintendo announcements to see what bundle options appear at launch.

When Nintendo will likely announce the price

Nintendo typically reveals console pricing in the months immediately before launch. For the Switch OLED, the company announced the price in July 2021, about three months before the October release. For the original Switch, pricing came out in January 2017, roughly two months before the March launch.

Based on this pattern, if the Switch 2 launches in 2025, you can expect a price announcement sometime in the months leading up to that release. Nintendo will announce the date through its official channels — the Nintendo website, Nintendo Direct presentations, and major gaming news outlets will all carry the announcement simultaneously.

How to stay informed about the actual price

The most reliable way to learn the Switch 2 price when it's announced is to follow Nintendo's official channels. Check Nintendo.com regularly, subscribe to Nintendo's official YouTube channel where they post Nintendo Direct videos, and follow Nintendo's social media accounts on Twitter and other platforms. These sources will have the price announcement before anywhere else.

Major retailers like Best Buy, Target, and Amazon will also post pricing information immediately after Nintendo's announcement. Gaming news sites like IGN, GameSpot, and Polygon will cover the announcement with analysis, but the official Nintendo sources are where the actual price will appear first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the Switch 2 cost more than the original Switch?

It's likely, based on Nintendo's pattern of raising prices when new hardware offers significant improvements. The Switch OLED cost $50 more than the original Switch. If the Switch 2 includes meaningful upgrades, expect a similar or larger price increase, though Nintendo could keep it at $299 if they prioritize affordability.

Can I preorder the Switch 2 before the price is announced?

Nintendo typically doesn't open preorders until after announcing the official price. Once pricing is confirmed, retailers usually open preorders within days or weeks. You'll see preorder availability announced across major retailers' websites and social media.

Will there be different Switch 2 models at different prices?

Nintendo has released multiple versions of the Switch at different price points — the original, Lite, and OLED. The company hasn't confirmed whether the Switch 2 will follow the same approach, but it's possible there could be a standard model and a more affordable handheld-only version at launch or later.

What if I can't afford the Switch 2 at launch?

Nintendo consoles typically see price drops after the first year or two on the market. If the Switch 2 launches at a higher price than you want to spend, waiting six months to a year often brings the price down. The original Switch dropped from $299 to $249 within a couple of years.