Key Takeaways:
- The move is likely tied to global economic conditions and tariffs, allowing Nintendo to protect profits without raising new console prices.
- Nintendo Canada is raising prices for all original Switch consoles, games, and online services starting July 1.
- The Switch 2 remains unaffected, but many of its compatible games and accessories will cost more.
Original Switch Models to See Price Increases Starting July 1
Nintendo of Canada has announced a significant “pricing update” affecting all current models of the original Nintendo Switch—including the standard Switch, Switch Lite, and Switch OLED. The company confirmed the changes will go live on July 1, with full pricing details to be published on Nintendo’s official Canadian store later today.
While the announcement was brief, Nintendo attributed the increases to unspecified “market conditions.” Notably, the upcoming Switch 2 will not be affected by the pricing adjustment.
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Games, Accessories, and Online Services Also Affected
Beyond consoles, Nintendo’s pricing update will extend to both physical and digital Switch games, accessories, and amiibo figurines. The broad changes also apply to Nintendo Switch Online memberships, prompting some Canadian fans to rush to renew their subscriptions before prices jump.
Since many peripherals and digital titles are cross-compatible with the newly-released Switch 2, users of the latest console will still feel the effects of the updated pricing ecosystem, even if their hardware remains unchanged.
Tariffs and Economic Pressures Driving the Shift
Industry analysts and fans alike speculate that the move is Nintendo’s strategic response to ongoing economic uncertainty and international tariffs, particularly those imposed by the U.S. government. Nintendo had previously paused Switch 2 pre-orders in North America while evaluating the tariff impact. Company president Shuntaro Furukawa previously warned that tariffs could cost Nintendo “tens of billions of yen.”
By increasing the cost of older hardware and services instead of the Switch 2 itself, Nintendo may be trying to offset losses without damaging demand for its next-generation system.
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