Nintendo Game Prices in Canada About to Spike—But Switch 2 Dodges the Bullet (For Now)

Everything in gaming feels like it’s getting pricier these days, and if you’re a Canadian Nintendo fan, brace yourself—your wallet’s about to feel it. Nintendo has confirmed that price hikes for consoles and games in Canada are likely on the way. But in a surprising twist, the long-rumoured Switch 2 seems to be skating clear of the chaos… for now.

Everything’s Expensive—Even Fun

Blame inflation. Blame the economy. Blame post-COVID manufacturing bottlenecks or rising production costs. Whatever excuse you prefer, the result is the same: Nintendo Canada is prepping to raise prices. Not just for games, but for consoles too.

In its recent financial call, Nintendo hinted at adjusting retail pricing due to the Canadian dollar’s weaker performance against the yen. Simply put, the loonie just ain’t what it used to be relative to the yen, and that’s hitting Nintendo’s bottom line. The company normally absorbs these currency shocks, but with tighter margins now, it’s more likely the cost will trickle down to consumers.

Already, several Canadian retailers have started gradually raising game prices. That’s not just happening by accident—it’s foreshadowing. Titles that were once CA$79.99 might hit CA$89.99 soon. Nintendo game prices in Canada could shift overnight… and players without deep pockets may soon have to skip some releases.

No Love Lost for the Old Switch

With the original Switch heading into its eighth year of life, it’s understandable that Nintendo isn’t overly protective of it anymore. In fact, the price increase rumours seem targeted mostly at the current-gen Switch family, including the Switch OLED edition and maybe even software tied to legacy hardware.

Why? Because Nintendo needs to clear the decks before the Nintendo Switch 2 release. And if the older models finally get a price tag bump, it makes the newer one seem more attractive, even if it’s more expensive up front. So yeah, rising prices now could be strategic. Raise the price of the OG Switch to CA$479, and if Switch 2 lands around CA$499, it suddenly doesn’t seem like that big a jump. Sneaky? Maybe. Smart? Definitely.

The Switch 2 Might Sidestep This… for Now

Here’s the juicy part of the story: sources close to Nintendo told Eurogamer that the Switch 2 won’t be affected by these price hikes, at least at launch.

That’s big. A clean price point for the next-gen console—probably set globally—is crucial for marketing. Canada getting different pricing from the US or Europe would be a PR headache, so Nintendo’s treading carefully. This might mean a relatively attractive value proposition at launch, especially when stacked against the increasing cost of current Switch bundles. Let’s just hope that “for now” doesn’t turn into “Oops, surprise increase six months post-launch.” You never really know with global pricing decisions.

How Canadians Will Feel the Impact

Canadian gamers already take some hits financially—regional pricing, limited retail discounting, and extra shipping fees. Adding a price spike to consoles and flagship titles? Oof. That could lead to a chill in first-party game sales, with buyers either waiting longer to grab new releases or skipping them entirely.

And since Nintendo’s known for rarely discounting its own games (looking at you, five-year-old Mario Kart still selling full price), this hike won’t be just a short-term thing. If CA$89.99 becomes the new norm, expect that to stay locked in for years. Of course, this could push people towards digital storefronts, second-hand game markets, or even subscription services—loud hint: Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack—which might look more appealing as individual game costs rise.

Is This a Bad Sign for Switch 2 Pricing Down the Line?

Short answer: Maybe. If Nintendo’s already quietly letting current models drift higher in select regions, it could suggest they’re also eyeing price flexibility for the Switch 2 post-launch. Launching lower and then raising it after a year (due to demand or perceived scarcity) isn’t unheard of in the industry… looking at you, Sony and Meta. For now, though, the idea that the Switch 2 might launch without a price hike in Canada is as good a win as Canadians could hope for. But it raises an interesting thought—Is Nintendo testing the waters with market-specific price hikes as they slowly remove the OG Switch from the lineup?

What Nintendo Didn’t Say (But Definitely Hinted At)

This move might also be laying the ground to enforce regional pricing flexibility across the board. Expect rising price variance in markets where the yen strengthens, or retail resistance weakens. Translation: Other non-US territories might soon see similar adjustments.

And with games getting more expensive to make, don’t be shocked if this becomes a new industry-wide benchmark. If Nintendo bumps prices and gets away with it, Sony and Microsoft may feel even more emboldened to follow suit in smaller markets. For Canadians, the next few months could become a balancing act: grabbing games now before they climb higher, or waiting for the shiny new Switch 2 console with its maybe-no-hike… and possibly missing the chance to grab legacy favourites while they’re still moderately affordable.