Nintendo Switch 2 will cost $499.99 in the United States beginning September 1, 2026. That is a $50 increase from the current $449.99 MSRP, or about 11.1%. Nintendo has published the effective date but not an activation hour or time zone, so the exact moment a retailer changes its price may vary.
The announcement applies to the standard Nintendo Switch 2 system. Nintendo says the U.S. price of the original Nintendo Switch system is not changing under this notice. Canada and the European My Nintendo Store also receive Switch 2 increases on September 1, while Japan already received a separate set of changes in May.
Nintendo Switch 2 price increase at a glance
- U.S. current MSRP: $449.99 before September 1, excluding tax.
- U.S. new MSRP: $499.99 beginning September 1, excluding tax.
- Increase: $50, which is approximately 11.1%.
- Canada: C$629.99 to C$679.99 before tax.
- Europe: €469.99 to €499.99 including tax at My Nintendo Store.
- Exact start time: not announced; Nintendo gives only September 1 as the effective date.
- Original Switch in the U.S.: no price change announced in Nintendo of America's notice.
When does the $499.99 Switch 2 price start?
Nintendo says the revised U.S. MSRP begins September 1, 2026. It does not say midnight Eastern, Pacific, or local time, and it does not promise that every retailer will update at the same moment. A store may change its listing when its own pricing system refreshes, while a cart created earlier can still recalculate at checkout.
If you are comparing a purchase on August 31 or September 1, use the final checkout price rather than a cached search result, saved cart, or shelf label. Sales tax and retailer-specific pricing can also make the total different from Nintendo's stated MSRP.
How much more does Nintendo Switch 2 cost in the U.S.?
The standard system moves from $449.99 to $499.99, a difference of $50. Dividing that increase by the old MSRP produces an increase of roughly 11.1%. Both Nintendo of America and Nintendo's corporate release list the U.S. figures before tax.
That comparison is for the standard console, not a promise about a particular store's sale price, financing plan, trade-in value, or remaining inventory. Nintendo also notes elsewhere that actual prices may vary, so the useful number to compare is the total price for the exact product and seller you are considering.
What changes in Canada and Europe?
Canada receives the same numerical C$50 increase: C$629.99 becomes C$679.99, with tax excluded from both figures. In Europe, Nintendo lists the price at My Nintendo Store moving from €469.99 to €499.99, a €30 increase with tax included. All three revisions take effect September 1.
Those prices are regional rather than currency conversions. Availability, tax treatment, local retailer prices, and bundle configurations can differ, so readers outside those markets should use the relevant Nintendo regional store or local retailer instead of converting the U.S. MSRP.
Is the original Switch price changing too?
In the United States, Nintendo of America explicitly says pricing for the original Nintendo Switch system is not changing. That statement should not be generalized worldwide: Nintendo separately raised prices for the original Switch OLED, standard Switch, and Switch Lite in Japan on May 25.
Japan's Japanese-language Switch 2 model also moved from ¥49,980 to ¥59,980 on May 25. Nintendo said the multi-language Switch 2 sold through My Nintendo Store in Japan would remain unchanged. These are separate regional decisions, not part of the September 1 U.S. storefront change.
Does the higher price change what is in the box?
Nintendo has announced a price revision, not a hardware revision. The standard package remains the Switch 2 console, left and right Joy-Con 2 controllers, Joy-Con 2 grip, two straps, the Nintendo Switch 2 dock, AC adapter, USB-C charging cable, and an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable. No game is included with the standard system.
The higher MSRP does not create a new console model, expand storage, change performance, or alter game compatibility. Compare product names carefully because a bundle can look similar to the standard box while including a download code and membership that change its value.
What will the new Switch 2 bundles cost?
Nintendo has announced two U.S. bundles after the new standard price takes effect. The Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle arrives in late September for $549.99. It includes the system, a full game download, and a three-month Nintendo Switch Online Individual Membership. Nintendo lists an MSRP-based savings of $37.98, while noting that actual savings may vary and availability lasts while supplies do.
The Nintendo Switch 2 + Nintendo Switch Sports Resort Bundle launches October 22 for $529.99 with the system, a full game download, and the same three-month membership. Nintendo lists an MSRP-based savings of $27.98. Compare those bundles against the new $499.99 standard system, not the outgoing $449.99 price.
Why is Nintendo raising the price?
Nintendo attributes the revision to various changes in market conditions that it expects to continue over the medium to long term. The company does not identify one specific cost, policy, country, or component as the sole cause in either official price notice.
That makes narrower explanations speculative. The confirmed explanation is Nintendo's broad market-conditions statement; claims that the $50 increase is exclusively caused by tariffs, exchange rates, manufacturing costs, or another single factor go beyond what Nintendo published.
Should you buy before September 1?
Buying at $449.99 saves $50 against the new U.S. MSRP if the same standard system is in stock and the seller honors that price at checkout. That does not automatically make every pre-deadline listing the best deal: a later bundle may be better for someone who already wants its included game and online membership, while a sale, return policy, shipping fee, or trade-in can change the real comparison.
- Verify the seller: use Nintendo or an authorized retailer and confirm the listing is new, region-compatible hardware.
- Read the product name: separate the standard system from Mario Kart World and Nintendo Switch Sports Resort bundles.
- Check the final cart: confirm the live item price, tax, shipping, stock status, and return terms before paying.
- Value the extras honestly: count a game or membership only if you would otherwise buy it.
What does not change on September 1?
The price announcement does not describe a new Switch 2 specification, a new game format, or a migration requirement for existing owners. A console already purchased continues to use the same Nintendo Account, games, saves, accessories, and online features subject to their normal compatibility and service rules.
Nintendo has not bundled a general U.S. accessory or subscription price announcement into the Switch 2 system notice. Check current listings for controllers, storage, games, and Nintendo Switch Online rather than assuming their prices move by the same percentage as the console.
For comparison with another current console change, see Pixel Twelve's Xbox Series X and Series S price increase breakdown, which separates the new hardware prices from subscriptions and existing ownership.
Bottom line
The standard Nintendo Switch 2 MSRP in the United States becomes $499.99 on September 1, 2026. Nintendo has not published an exact start hour, so verify the live checkout price around the transition. Canada moves to C$679.99 and the European My Nintendo Store to €499.99 on the same date; the original U.S. Switch price is unchanged under this announcement.
