Nintendo has announced an unexpected price increase for the original Nintendo Switch family of consoles and select accessories, with new pricing officially going into effect on August 3, 2025. According to the company, the change reflects evolving market conditions and applies across the Nintendo Switch – OLED Model, standard Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch Lite consoles, as well as certain accessories.
While the announcement stopped short of detailing specific price adjustments, retailer updates have now revealed the revised pricing structure. Target and other major U.S. retailers have confirmed that the Switch OLED model will now retail at 399.99 USD, marking a significant increase from its previous price of 349.99 USD. The standard model has been raised to 339.99 USD, while the budget-friendly Switch Lite now sits at 229.99 USD. They quickly reversed their decision and removed the updated pricing, which is set to take effect on August 3rd.
This change puts the cost of the eight-year-old Nintendo Switch hardware remarkably close to that of the newer Nintendo Switch 2, which retails at 449.99 USD for the base unit and 499.99 USD for the Mario Kart World hardware bundle. For comparison, the price differential between the current OLED model and the Switch 2 has narrowed to just 50 USD, a point that may factor into consumer purchasing decisions moving forward.
While this pricing change doesn’t affect the Nintendo Switch 2 or any of its games, accessories, or Nintendo Switch Online memberships right now, Nintendo did warn that they might need to raise prices on other stuff later. Some newer products, including certain Switch 2 accessories, amiibo figures, and even that quirky Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo, will start costing more this month. Target leaked prices for products: Alarmo $100 to $110, and Joy-Con 2 controllers $95 to $100.
This price change comes while people are still really interested in the original Switch. Nintendo said in their Q1 FY2026 earnings that the Nintendo Switch has now sold 153.10 million units worldwide as of June 30, 2025. Even though the Switch 2 came out in early June, the original system still sold another 980,000 units during those three months, which shows it’s still got staying power and people still want it.
That said, the increased price tag may present new challenges to the older model’s continued momentum. While the long-term effects of this pricing adjustment remain to be seen, it is likely to influence demand in the coming quarters, particularly as consumers weigh the aging hardware against the newer Switch 2, which features upgraded performance, exclusive software, and competitive pricing.
Nintendo raising prices on older hardware is pretty weird, especially for a console this old. But it might mean they’re confident the system is still worth it, or they’re trying to push people toward the Switch 2 before the fall and holiday shopping seasons.
