What the Switch 2 Price Hike Really Means for Your Wallet

Nintendo's bundle-free strategy kept Switch 2 prices stable for players, even as competitors saw double-digit increases. This could make Switch 2 more attractive heading into the holiday season.

Nintendo's bundle-free strategy kept Switch 2 prices stable for players, even as competitors saw double-digit increases. This could make Switch 2 more attractive heading into the holiday season.

Key points - Average Switch 2 spending rose just 2% to $498 in September 2026, despite a $50 price increase. - PS5 average price paid jumped 17% to $646; Xbox rose 33% to $663 year-over-year. - Nintendo dropped the Mario Kart World bundle, offering a standalone console instead. - A Zelda 40th anniversary Switch 2 console is coming, priced $20 above the base model.

Timeline - September 2025: Average Switch 2 spending was $486. - September 2026: Average Switch 2 spending hit $498, a 2% increase, after a $50 price hike. - Holiday 2026: Zelda 40th anniversary Switch 2 console launches at $20 above base price.

FAQ

Q: Why did the Switch 2 price increase not affect average spending much? A: Nintendo switched from a bundled Mario Kart World console to a standalone unit, so buyers got less value in the box but paid a similar average price.

Q: How much more are PS5 and Xbox buyers paying on average? A: PS5 buyers paid $646 on average (up 17%), while Xbox buyers paid $663 (up 33%) compared to last year.

Q: Will the Switch 2 get more expensive with the Zelda anniversary edition? A: Yes, the Zelda 40th anniversary Switch 2 will cost $20 more than the base console, likely pushing average spending higher.