Nintendo has officially confirmed what many feared: the Switch 2 is getting more expensive. Starting September 1, the standalone console will jump from $449.99 to $499.99 — a full $50 increase. But here’s the twist that nobody saw coming: Nintendo just announced two brand-new bundles that could actually make the price hike irrelevant if you play your cards right.
The timing is everything. With the price increase just days away, Nintendo dropped two new Switch 2 packages that come packed with games and online access. The question everyone’s asking is simple: should you buy now, wait for the bundles, or just accept that gaming keeps getting more expensive?
The Mario Kart World Bundle Returns — But Not How You Remember It
The most popular Switch 2 bundle is making a comeback, but Nintendo has quietly cranked up the price. The new Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle launches in late September at $549.99. That’s $50 more than the original bundle that launched alongside the console.
Before you ragequit, here’s what you actually get: the Switch 2 console, a full digital download of Mario Kart World, and a 3-month Nintendo Switch Online membership — something the original bundle didn’t include. Nintendo says this package saves you $37.98 compared to buying everything separately at the new prices.
But here’s the real math that most outlets aren’t telling you: if you buy the console right now at $449.99, grab Mario Kart World for $80, and snag a 12-month NSO membership for roughly $20, you’re looking at about $550 total. That’s basically the same price as the new bundle — except you get nine extra months of online access instead of three. The “deal” starts looking a lot less appealing when you do the numbers yourself.
The Switch Sports Resort Bundle: The Surprise Sleeper Hit
The bigger news might actually be the second bundle. Nintendo is launching a Switch 2 + Nintendo Switch Sports Resort Bundle on October 22 — the same day the game drops — for $529.99.
For those who haven’t been keeping up, Nintendo Switch Sports Resort is the sequel to the wildly popular Switch Sports, and it’s bringing back Wuhu Island with 12 motion-controlled sports. We’re talking Boxing, Archery, Bowling, Thumb Wrestling, and even Prop Plane races. It’s the kind of game that makes your grandparents want to play video games, and that’s exactly why it’s going to sell millions.
The bundle includes the console, the full game download, and a 3-month NSO membership — saving you $27.98 versus buying separately. If you’re the type who buys a console mainly for party games and family gatherings, this might actually be the better value play.
The $499 Question: What Happened to the Old Bundle?
Nintendo’s original $499.99 bundle — the one that let you pick between Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, or Pokemon Pokopia — is being phased out. That bundle was genuinely good value, and its disappearance suggests Nintendo knows exactly what it’s doing with the new pricing structure.
The timing feels deliberate. Launch the expensive bundles right after the price hike, and suddenly $530 for a console plus a game feels like a bargain compared to $500 for just the hardware. It’s textbook anchoring psychology, and Nintendo has been running this playbook since the Wii era.
What This Means for Switch 2 Owners
If you’ve been on the fence about buying a Switch 2, here’s the reality: the standalone console is about to cost $500 no matter what. The only variable is whether you bundle it with a game and save a few bucks in the process.
For existing Switch 2 owners, the price hike doesn’t affect you — but it does signal something bigger. Nintendo is clearly confident in the console’s market position if they’re willing to raise prices just months after launch. With the Nintendo Direct coming in September and rumored Zelda and Diablo 4 Switch 2 announcements, the ecosystem is only getting more expensive to be part of.
Some fans are calling it a cash grab. Others point out that the bundle savings are real, even if modest. The truth probably lies somewhere in between: Nintendo is a business, the Switch 2 is selling well, and they’re testing how much the market will bear.
The Bottom Line
The Switch 2 price increase is happening whether we like it or not. The new bundles offer genuine (if modest) savings, but they’re not the steal Nintendo’s marketing would have you believe. If you want a Switch 2, the smartest move might be to grab one before September 1 at the current $449.99 price and buy your games separately.
But if you’ve been waiting for the right bundle to justify the purchase, the Switch Sports Resort option at $529.99 launching October 22 might be the sweet spot — especially if you’re planning to use the console for more than just sitting on the couch playing Zelda.
What do you think — is Nintendo justified in raising the price, or are they testing how far they can push loyal fans? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
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