Will Nintendo Raise the Price of Switch 2 Amid Surging Memory Costs? 'I Cannot Comment on Hypotheticals,' Nintendo Boss Responds

Since its launch last June, the Nintendo Switch 2 has delivered fresh experiences from beloved franchises such as Mario Kart World and Kirby Air Riders, alongside cross-platform ports like Final Fantasy VII Remake. These titles demonstrate the console's ability to handle more demanding software than its predecessor. However, the launch period was not without challenges, including criticism of the Game Card format and significant supply shortages, particularly in Japan where high demand led to a lottery-based sales system for much of 2025.

Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa has recently shared insights into the Switch 2's roadmap as it enters its second year. According to Nintendo Life, Kyoto Shimbun, a Japanese newspaper, conducted an interview with Furukawa regarding the console's future. A summary of this paywalled article was provided by Nintendo Patents Watch.

Economic factors and rising memory costs have sparked concerns about potential price hikes for the Switch 2. The surge in demand from powerful AI chips has driven up memory prices, with CNBC reporting that global supply may fall short of worldwide needs in 2026.

Furukawa noted that current inventory levels and supplier contracts will shield Nintendo's financial performance from immediate impacts. Nevertheless, he emphasized the need to "monitor the situation closely." When asked if consumers would face higher prices, Furukawa replied, "I cannot comment on hypotheticals."

CNBC reports that companies like Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), and Google are prioritizing memory for their AI chips, leaving less supply for other sectors. Consequently, memory costs are climbing. In December, Micron announced it would exit part of its consumer PC market to reserve capacity for AI servers.

Regarding future software, Furukawa hinted that Nintendo is developing highly anticipated entries in popular series alongside "completely new software." Notably, the Switch 2 has yet to receive a mainline The Legend of Zelda title, though Eiji Aonuma recently suggested the next game might incorporate elements from Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. Looking ahead to 2026, Mario Tennis Fever is scheduled for February, followed by Yoshi and the Mysterious Book later in the year. Furukawa's remarks imply that more game announcements are imminent.

Beyond visual upgrades, improved performance, and increased storage, the Switch 2 has introduced features such as GameChat, GameShare, and mouse-like functionality for the Joy-Cons. It remains to be seen how upcoming exclusives will leverage these new capabilities.