Nintendo has confirmed Switch 2 price hikes across the US, Canada, and Europe starting September 1, which means there is now a limited window for anyone hoping to avoid paying more for the console later this year.
But the clock is ticking even faster on the best Switch 2 offer currently available. The bundle, including Super Mario Galaxy 1+2, available in either physical or digital form, expires after May 9.
So, once the upcoming price increase is factored in, that deal effectively knocks around $70 off the future cost of jumping into Switch 2.
Where to Buy a Switch 2 Before the Price Hike
The bigger concern for most buyers, though, is what comes next. Nintendo says changing market conditions are expected to continue “over the medium to long term.
At this point, Nintendo is effectively ending the relatively short-lived launch pricing era for Switch 2, and buyers waiting for discounts later in the console’s life cycle may end up seeing the opposite happen instead. That also makes the current Super Mario Galaxy 1+2 Switch 2 bundle look far more appealing than it did even a week ago.
Not only does it let buyers dodge the September price hike entirely, it may also be the last chance to lock in launch-era pricing before Nintendo inevitably reassesses costs again down the line.
With the bundle itself disappearing after May 9, there is suddenly a much clearer sense of urgency around grabbing one while stock and pricing still make sense.
Plus, even if you miss the bundle deal, there’s still an argument to be made on picking up just a base Switch 2 console before September and saving $50 outright, especially if you were planning to buy one this year anyway.
Let’s discuss some further context as well. Looking at Switch 2 deals from last year, the best we got was a $50 discount over Black Friday on the Mario Kart World bundle, effectively saving you $130 overall ($50 discount + $80 price of the game). Kudos to those who picked it up at that price while they could.
Interestingly, there is still some uncertainty around how these increases will affect existing bundles. Take the Mario Kart World bundle, for example, which currently sits at a $499 MSRP. It is not yet clear whether retailers will simply absorb the change or pass on an additional $50 increase once the new pricing takes effect. As a comparison, Sony did not increase the price of its Fortnite bundles, which promptly sold out as they effectively avoided the $100 price increase that occured in April.
If Nintendo’s bundles also don’t rise in price, they could suddenly become the standout option overnight, especially once the Super Mario Galaxy deal disappears. Given the Mario Kart World bundle was already a limited-edition offering, this will likely trigger a rapid sell-through as buyers rush to lock in the lowest available entry point for Switch 2.
Nintendo Switch 2 – Console
2
Price increase to $499.99 incoming on September 1, 2026.
Sony’s recent decision to hike PlayStation 5 prices also sent shockwaves through the industry, rattling a lot of potential buyers and serving as a stark reminder that hardware prices just aren’t as reliable as they used to be. Nintendo’s decision to up the price of a Switch 2 console will likely have a similar effect.
At the time of writing, the Mario Kart World bundle is only available via GameStop online, so it is worth acting quickly if you are considering it, or checking local stock before the pricing situation changes again.
Robert Anderson is IGN’s Senior Commerce Editor and its resident deals expert on games, collectibles, trading card games, and more. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Bluesky.
