Switch 2 Price Hike? Players Barely Notice the Difference

Did you even notice the Switch 2 got more expensive? Well, according to the latest sales data, most of you didn't seem to mind—or at least your wallets didn't. Despite a $50 price increase, the average amount US consumers spent on a Switch 2 in September 2026 was just $498, up only 2% from $486 a year earlier. Compare that to the PS5, which jumped 17% to $646, and Xbox, which skyrocketed 33% to $663. Yeah, Nintendo fans got off easy.

So what's the deal? The price hikes are real—thanks to those lovely global RAM shortages (looking at you, AI farms). Xbox prices went up by £130 for the 512GB Series S and £170 for 1TB Series X|S models, Sony added $100 to the PS5 and $150 to the PS5 Pro, and Nintendo tacked on $50. But here's the twist: Nintendo also stopped bundling Mario Kart World with the console, switching to a standalone unit. That means you're getting less in the box, but the average price paid stayed surprisingly stable. As Circana's Mat Piscatella put it, 'Pretty smart cookies over there at Nintendo.'

Let's break down the numbers from Circana's Retail Tracking Service. In September 2026, the average price paid per hardware unit sold was $646 for PS5 (+17% vs. $551 last year), $663 for Xbox (+33% vs. $497), and $498 for Switch 2 (+2% vs. $486). So while Sony and Microsoft fans are feeling the pinch, Nintendo loyalists are barely noticing the difference. That's some impressive price management.

But don't get too comfortable. The Switch 2 is heading into its second holiday season, and Nintendo has a shiny new Zelda 40th anniversary console on the way—priced $20 above the base model. That means the average spending percentage will likely tick up next month… if you can even find one. Given how fast these special editions sell out, you might want to start camping out now.

In the meantime, the Switch 2 community is already making waves—someone even jailbroke the console for the first time using AI, though it requires a $25 eShop purchase to get involved. We'll see how long that sticks around. But for now, the takeaway is clear: Nintendo's clever bundle-free strategy kept prices steady for players, even as the competition got pricier. Will you be picking up the Zelda anniversary Switch 2, or are you sticking with your current setup? Let us know in the comments!