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.
You've got a couple of options when it comes to beating the Switch 2 price hikes. The first is pretty simple – picking up a Switch 2 now for $449, saving yourself $50.
Where to Buy a Switch 2 Before the Price Hike
But, if you're happy to wait until June to get your console, then this upcoming alternative is the one to go for. Nintendo will soon launch its own "Choose Your Game" Switch 2 console bundle. This will be available in "early June", priced at $499.99, and includes one of three Switch 2 blockbusters to be included with the console.
You can choose from Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Pokémon Pokopia, which therefore includes a saving of around $20 to $30. For now, this is your best way to beat the Switch 2's price rise and get a discounted game at the same time.
How long will this deal last? Nintendo has not said, though it seems likely to end before that September 1 price rise. If you're still waiting on buying Switch 2 — especially with Ocarina of Time remake reportedly due to launch later this year — there may never be a better time.
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.
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, that aren't a part of the "Choose Your Own Game" line up. Take the original Mario Kart World bundle, for example, which currently sits at a $499.99 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 if they stick around longer than the custom bundle coming in the summer.
Given the Mario Kart World bundle was already a limited-edition offering, buyers will likely rush to lock in the lowest available entry point for Switch 2 when they can.
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. Or, simply wait for the custom bundle in June, so at least you've got options now.
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.
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.