Despite previously indicating it would not raise Switch prices, Nintendo seems to be considering a review of its Switch prices in the future. This comes during a time when a lot of hardware prices are under review, with Sony even raising PS5 prices in a number of locations. Since then, there have been reports that the PS5 price hike hasn't hurt demand for the console.
Microsoft had previously indicated that price hikes on Xbox consoles, Xbox Game Pass, and game prices is a possibility, but not something the company is going to do right now. Part of this is because hardware, from any company, is often sold at cost or at a loss, with the sales of software associated with the hardware being where most companies make their money. With $70 slowly becoming the new price point of video games, it's not a surprise hardware prices could rise too.
Following the PS5 price hike, Nintendo stated that it does not have plans to raise Switch prices as a result of hardware costs and inflation, though of course, it didn't go into detail regarding its marketing and pricing strategies. Its previous stance was that it should not hike the prices of released products because kids buy the company's products, but obviously, consoles and toys have been shifting. Now, per Bloomberg reporter Takashi Mochizuki, "Nintendo signaled it may review Switch prices in the future" during a recent financial call.
One could argue that this is a needed move on behalf of Microsoft, Nintendo, and even Sony as costs increases with creating the hardware, but many fans are upset with Nintendo, specifically, for different reasons. Microsoft does seem to be pushing off raising prices on the Xbox Series X as long as it can, which may be longer than some companies. Sony only raised the cost on its PS5 consoles, which are less than two years old, and it does seem to be looking into alternative builds for a PS5 to make them cheaper. However, the Switch is over 5 years old at this point, and a price hike on it makes much less sense.
It could be that Nintendo decides to only raise prices on the Nintendo Switch OLED, but that's unknown at this time. Another reason many fans are upset is because Nintendo hasn't even lowered prices at any time since launch. Black Friday is quite telling because the company has a Nintendo Switch + Mario Kart 8 bundle that has been the same price every year. Nintendo rarely discounts software and almost never discounts hardware.
Despite fan woes and potential, understandable concerns, it should be noted that Nintendo reviewing its pricing methods with the Switch does not mean it will raise prices. It is the definition of a fluid situation, but it is something fans may want to keep an eye on.
