It's an unexpected move for an eight-year-old console.
Nintendo has officially increased the prices of its original Nintendo Switch systems and select accessories in the United States, effective 3 August, 2025. The announcement was posted on 1 August on the official Nintendo website, marking an unexpected move given the recent launch of the Nintendo Switch 2.
Price hikes across all original Switch models
Nintendo confirmed that pricing changes affect the Nintendo Switch OLED Model, the original Nintendo Switch, the Nintendo Switch Lite, and various accessories such as Joy-Cons, amiibos, and even the quirky Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo.
Here are the updated prices:
- Nintendo Switch (standard): increased from US$299.99 to US$339.99
- Nintendo Switch OLED: increased from US$349.99 to US$399.99
- Nintendo Switch Lite: increased from US$199.99 to US$229.99
- Joy-Cons: increased from US$79.99 to US$89.99
With these changes, the original Switch now sits much closer in cost to the Nintendo Switch 2, which remains priced at US$449.99. For a console first released in 2017, the ageing hardware now carries a price tag few anticipated this late in its life.
Nintendo has attributed the price increases to “market conditions”, but did not elaborate further. Industry observers point to the ongoing US import tariffs introduced during the Trump administration as a likely factor. Since Nintendo sources its components internationally and manufactures outside the United States, these tariffs have likely raised production and shipping costs.
Rather than scaling back support for the original Switch, Nintendo appears committed to maintaining its presence alongside the Switch 2, though now at a notably higher entry point.
Games and online services unaffected for now
While hardware prices have increased, games and memberships remain unchanged. Both physical and digital titles for the Switch and Switch 2, as well as Nintendo Switch Online memberships, are unaffected at this time. However, Nintendo has stated that “price adjustments may be necessary in the future”, leaving room for further changes down the line.
For a full list of updated prices, visit the Nintendo U.S. Store.
