Nintendo Console & Accessory Prices: Latest Updates
▼ Summary
– Nintendo increased prices on most gaming hardware and accessories, excluding the Switch 2, effective August 3.
– The Switch Lite, Standard, and OLED models saw price hikes of $30, $40, and $50 respectively.
– Controllers and accessories, including Joy-Cons and Amiibo, also experienced price increases, some for the second time this year.
– Experts suggest the Switch 2 may eventually see price hikes due to tariffs, but it remains at $450 for now.
– The price increases may encourage upgrades as older consoles now cost closer to the Switch 2, which is unlikely to drop in price.
Nintendo has quietly increased prices across nearly its entire lineup of gaming hardware and accessories, leaving only the Switch 2 untouched, for now. The unexpected adjustments, which took effect on August 3, affect everything from consoles to controllers, making older models significantly more expensive than before. While the next-gen system remains at its original $450 price point, analysts suggest it may not stay that way for long due to rising production costs and tariffs.
Consoles See Notable Jumps
The Switch Lite now costs $230, up from $200, while the standard Switch model rose to $340 from $300. The premium Switch OLED saw the steepest increase, climbing to $400 from its previous $350 tag. These hikes bring older systems uncomfortably close to the Switch 2’s price, potentially pushing more buyers toward the newer console.
Controllers Hit Hard by Tariffs
Accessories weren’t spared either, with Joy-Cons and Pro Controllers seeing multiple increases this year alone. The Switch 1 Joy-Con pair now retails for $90 (up from $80), and the Pro Controller jumped to $80 from $70. Meanwhile, Switch 2 controllers also saw bumps, $100 for Joy-Cons (previously $95) and $90 for the Pro model (up from $85). Retro-style controllers for Nintendo’s online service weren’t exempt, with the NES and SNES variants now priced at $70 and $33, respectively.
Other Accessories Follow Suit
Even niche add-ons like Amiibo figures rose to $20 from $16, while the Switch 2 Dock now costs $125 instead of $120. The Joy-Con Charging Stand increased to $35, and the Alarmo sleep tracker climbed to $110. These adjustments reflect broader economic pressures, particularly tariffs impacting imported components.
Why the Sudden Changes?
Industry watchers point to global supply chain challenges and lingering trade policies as key drivers behind the increases. Controllers, which often wear out faster than consoles, have been hit especially hard, some now cost more than premium Switch 2 games. With no signs of relief on the horizon, players may want to handle their gear with extra care.
(Source: Kotaku)
