As the price of Nintendo Switch 2 in the Japanese market is about to be officially adjusted later this month, a large number of consumers have flocked to retail stores to buy it. Queues and inventory shortages have occurred in many places.
Nintendo has previously confirmed that starting from May 25, 2026, the price of the Japanese version of Switch 2 will increase from 49,980 yen to 59,980 yen. In addition, other models such as the Switch OLED version, standard version of Switch, and Switch Lite will also have their prices adjusted simultaneously.
In order to get it at the original price before the price increase, Japanese consumers rushed to major electrical appliance stores to buy. According to information circulating on social media, about 300 people queued up to buy Switch 2 at the Yodobashi Umeda store in Osaka. When sharing the photo, a netizen wrote: "Everyone is rushing to buy Switch2 before the price increases."
In fact, some retailers have begun to tighten sales policies before this. According to gaming industry analyst Dr. Serkan Toto, Bic Camera took the lead shortly after Nintendo announced the price increase: only allowing customers using the store's own-brand credit cards to purchase Switch 2 at the current price. The same restrictions apply to Switch OLED, standard Switch, and Switch Lite.
Toto pointed out that this approach is similar to the credit card purchase restriction strategy adopted by Japanese retailers during the COVID-19 epidemic to cope with PS5 shortages and curb scalpers.
It is reported that some resellers have begun to list Switch 2 for sale at an increased price (i.e. 60,000 yen range), showing that scalpers are taking advantage of the current supply and demand tension to make early profits.
In addition to Japan, Nintendo also announced that it will increase the price of Switch 2 in other regions starting from September 1, 2026. The official explained that this move is based on changes in the market environment and overall business considerations.