Nintendo CEO Cautions RAM Hike Could Affect Switch 2 Prices, No Plans Yet
Nintendo CEO Cautions RAM Hike Could Affect Switch 2 Prices
Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa has expressed concern over rising production costs, particularly the price of RAM, which has surged due to heavy demand from AI data centers. Import taxes in key markets, including the U.S., also pose potential challenges for profit margins, especially for the recently launched Nintendo Switch 2.
In an interview with Kyoto Shimbun, Furukawa explained that hardware profitability depends on several factors, including parts procurement, bulk production efficiencies, currency exchange, and import duties. Although Nintendo’s revenues are not immediately impacted—thanks to mid- to long-term procurement planning—the highly volatile memory market remains a risk that the company is monitoring closely.
When asked about potential Switch 2 price increases, Furukawa said it is purely hypothetical at this stage, but the company views import taxes as a cost that may eventually be reflected in retail prices, similar to past adjustments in the U.S. and other regions.
In August 2025, Nintendo raised prices for older Switch models in the U.S.—the standard model from $299 to $339, OLED from $349 to $399, and Lite from $199 to $229—due to market conditions and taxation. While Switch 2 remains at $449, accessories like the Joy-Con 2 have already seen price adjustments, rising from $94 to $99.
Nintendo emphasizes strengthening the user base for its new console by keeping the device and game prices stable for as long as possible. However, if component costs continue to rise beyond the buffer of long-term procurement plans, fans may need to prepare for potential future price adjustments.
