December 12, 2025, 6:19 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Nintendo is not immune to the current memory crisis. The costs for DRAM and NAND memory have skyrocketed in recent weeks, leading to a decrease in Nintendo’s profit margin on Switch 2 sales. Will the console become more expensive now?
The Nintendo Switch 2 may face financial challenges, despite having the most successful console launch of all time. Rising costs for labor and flash memory could impact the console’s sale price, potentially jeopardizing Nintendo’s market position.
Rising Memory Prices
According to Bloomberg, the cost of DRAM memory has increased by about 41 percent in a short time, and NAND memory by 8 percent. This price increase is expected to continue into 2026, as manufacturers currently do not plan to expand production capacity.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is equipped with 12 gigabytes of RAM and 256 GB of flash memory. Higher memory costs reduce the company’s profit margins—especially given the high sales volume. Gamers already have to pay more for expanding the relatively small built-in memory with microSD Express cards. Effectively, Nintendo is passing these costs on to consumers.
Also interesting: Nintendo Switch 2 Requires Special Memory Cards
Could the Switch 2 Become More Expensive?
As long as the demand for artificial intelligence booms, memory will remain scarce. DRAM, in particular, is indispensable for AI server farms. One of the three major manufacturers of DRAM modules, Micron, has already exited the consumer market with its Crucial brand to focus on business and enterprise customers.
In the U.S., some PC builders have already announced plans to raise prices for pre-built computers. CyberPowerPC, for example, is passing the increased costs for RAM and SSDs directly to customers.
Nintendo is still absorbing the higher memory prices. However, it is no longer unusual for console manufacturers to pass increased hardware costs directly to customers. Sony and Microsoft recently raised prices for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. It may only be a matter of time before the skyrocketing memory prices also affect Switch 2 buyers.