Nintendo Denies Rumours of Switch Price Increase!

2022 is so far proving to be a relatively disappointing year for Nintendo. – Admittedly though, this is mostly due to the fact that 2021 was an amazingly positive year for the company. – While this was predominantly led by the COVID gaming boom, the Nintendo Switch also had another pretty substantial factor going in its favour.

Put simply, at a time when people more ideally wanted PS5s or Xbox Series Xs, the Switch was the only console pretty much solidly in stock throughout the year. Not to mention, of course, the fact that when compared to Microsoft and Sony’s offerings, Nintendo’s system was notably less expensive!

With more disappointing sales and stock shortages this year, however, there have been rumours for more than a little while now that Nintendo may have been considering putting up the price of their Switch, and more specifically OLED, console. Specifically, to make up for the comparative YoY (year on year) financial shortfall – Following a report via Eurogamer, however, Nintendo has categorically confirmed that while the stock situation continues to remain pretty poor, they have no plans to increase its price!

Nintendo to Hold Switch Prices

Addressing the Japanese stock market, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has said that they don’t want to increase the cost of the Nintendo Switch to ‘avoid pricing people out’. – He later expanded on this point by saying:

“We’re not considering [a price increase] at this point, for two reasons. In order to offer unique entertainment to a wide range of customers, we want to avoid pricing people out. Our competition is the variety of entertainment in the world, and we always think about pricing in terms of the value of the fun we offer.

Our products also include software. Nintendo has sold more than 100 million Switch units so far, and it’s important to maintain the momentum of our overall business. Generally speaking, a weak yen makes domestic Switch sales less profitable.”

What Do We Think?

It would, of course, be more than a little bizarre if Nintendo did choose to increase the price of the Switch. Yes, admittedly, the OLED revision is still relatively new, but its market price is well established, and, if anything, given that we’re undoubtedly in the latter part of the console’s lifespan, price cuts (rather than increases) would be the more unusual progression.

Put simply, while putting the price up might seem tempting to try and curb some of the likely disappointing revenue figures in April 2023, I don’t think it makes much sense. And fortunately, neither does Mario’s management either!

What do you think? – Let us know in the comments!