Original Nintendo Switch price increased in the U.S. and Canada after 8 years

Nintendo has increased the price of the Switch 1. The price hike comes 8 years after the handheld console was launched.

The Nintendo Switch 1 was launched for $299.99 in 2017, in the U.S. According to the official announcement, the Japanese company decided to increase the price of the handheld after analyzing the "recent market conditions". So, the Switch 1 now costs $339.99 (up by $40) via the official online store.

The Verge reports that the Nintendo Switch OLED and Switch Lite prices have also been increased. The Switch OLED which used to cost $349.99 is now available for $399.99, that's a $50 price hike. And the Switch Lite has increased from $199.99 to $229.99, up by $30. The new prices are already in effect even on online stores like Target.

It's not just in the United States, its neighbor, Canada, has not been spared either. The Nintendo Switch costs $419.99 CAD (up by $20), the Switch Lite costs $279.00 CAD ($20 hike), and the Switch 1 OLED costs $40 more at $489.99 CAD.

Nintendo has also increased the cost of some accessories including the Switch 1 Joy-Cons, which now costs $89.99. The company says that it is not increasing the prices of the Switch and Switch 2 games, or the Switch 2 console. For context, the Switch 2 was launched for $449, which is just $50 more than a Switch 1 OLED.

It's crazy that a game console that is nearly a decade old has had its price increased, and after its successor was launched.

So that's 3 out of 3, huh? Microsoft increased the Xbox series prices, Sony increased the price of the PlayStation 5. Well, at least the PS5 prices weren't hiked in the U.S. like the other consoles. I used to think it pays to be a patient gamer, wait and buy games, consoles when they become cheaper. That logic doesn't seem to apply now. It's sad that it has come to this.

What do you think about the price hike?