Nintendo recently announced that the Switch 2 would be receiving a price increase later this year. In the US, that will bring its price from $449.99 to $499.99, while in Japan it will go from 49,980 yen to 59,980 yen. That new pricing is scheduled to go into effect shortly in Japan, on May 25th, 2026, and customers are scrambling to pick up the hardware before that price jump.
As we shared over the weekend, Japanese retail store Bic Camera took steps to limit how easily customers can purchase Switch 2 and other related products. As of right now, customers need to have a specifically Bic Camera-branded credit card in order to buy a Switch 2 from their stores. Presumably, this action is intended to limit people from buying as many Switch 2 units as they can at the current price before turning around and reselling them at a higher price in a few weeks.
Even with some retailers taking precautions, it seems the flood of people is just too much for them to handle. Yodobashi Camera in Akihabara has been hit hard by customers flocking the store to buy the Switch 2, and now they’ve put up notices saying that they’re completely out of stock when it comes to hardware. Even worse, the retailer doesn’t have information on when the next shipment will come in. (h/t Genki)
This sell-out situation is likely to crop up at multiple retailers as we inch closer to the May 25th price hike. Those in Japan looking to get their hands on a Switch 2 at the current price better act fast and keep their fingers crossed at the same time!
AloJapan.com