Don’t Be Surprised if the RAM Crisis Leads to a Switch 2 Price Increase

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Okay, so I’m hearing that if you’re thinking about getting a Switch 2, you might want to do it sooner rather than later. Apparently, the cost of RAM is going up, and that could mean Nintendo has to raise the price of the console. It already got some flak for being $450 when it was announced – people were debating if it was worth that much, and also complaining about the price of games. Things have calmed down a bit, but it sounds like the Switch 2 could actually get more expensive if we wait, so I’m definitely keeping an eye on things!

The Switch 2, like the original Switch, was hard to find when it first came out. Some experts believe shortages could continue in certain areas until 2026, though it’s becoming easier to purchase in other places. Because of these limited supplies and concerns about the price, many gamers might have decided to wait for the initial excitement to fade and for the console to be more readily available. While waiting might seem smart, current trends in the hardware market suggest delaying a purchase could end up costing you more in the long run.

The RAM Supply Crisis Could Push Nintendo to Raise the Switch 2’s Price

Concerns that a new Nintendo Switch could be more expensive are linked to rapidly increasing RAM prices. Recently, major RAM producers like Samsung and SK Hynix agreed to supply a large amount of their memory to OpenAI for use in AI data centers. This limited the available RAM for other uses, causing prices to jump significantly – some RAM kits have even tripled in price, and older types have also become more expensive. It’s not just Samsung and SK Hynix; Micron has stopped selling RAM for consumer products altogether. As manufacturers prioritize AI, it’s creating a supply shortage that could force console makers like Nintendo to either raise prices or accept lower profits.

PC gamers are already seeing how a shortage of RAM is driving up prices, making building a gaming computer even more expensive. While companies like Sony and Microsoft can often lower the initial cost of their consoles due to large-scale production, they’re also facing these higher costs, particularly as demand increases. The new Switch 2 uses 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and as this type of memory becomes more expensive, so will the cost of making the console. Nintendo might have some RAM already purchased, but if they run out, they may need to raise the price of the Switch 2 to cover their expenses.

via Nintendo

Even though the parts needed to make the Switch 2 are becoming more expensive, Nintendo might not automatically raise the console’s price. However, Nintendo has reacted to economic changes in the past. For example, in August 2025, they increased the price of the original Switch by $40 and the OLED model by $50, citing “market conditions” – likely due to tariffs on electronics imported into the U.S. The Switch 2 initially avoided a price increase related to these tariffs after it was announced, but rising component costs could lead to a price adjustment this time.

Image via Nintendo

Nintendo isn’t the only company facing potential price increases. There’s talk that Xbox might also raise prices due to the rising cost of RAM. While neither company has announced any changes yet, the increasing RAM costs make it likely that console prices could be affected in the future.

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2025-12-17 01:04