Nintendo's stock experienced a significant decline after the company confirmed price increases for the Nintendo Switch 2 in Japan and various global markets. Following the announcement, external reports indicate Nintendo's shares plummeted approximately 12% after the weekend, falling to 7,020 yen. This marks the lowest point since December 22, 2023, reflecting investor apprehension regarding the pricing strategy and future sales momentum.
Nintendo previously announced that the Switch 2 would see a $50 price increase in the United States, effective September 1, 2026, with the change taking effect even earlier in Japan on May 25. While there were prior reports suggesting Nintendo faced pressure from shareholders to raise the console's price, the official announcement did not elicit the expected positive market response, instead putting pressure on its stock.
Foreign media outlets suggest that the stock decline is not solely attributable to the price hike. Nintendo's latest financial report also projects that Switch 2 sales in its second year on the market will be lower than its first, estimating 16.5 million units. This figure is below the 19.86 million units sold from launch through March 31, 2026. Typically, new consoles see increased sales in their second year as the game lineup expands, making this projection a conservative signal.
Nonetheless, the Switch 2's first-year performance was notably strong. Nintendo initially set a first-year sales target of 15 million units, later revising it upward to 20 million due to robust initial sales. Although final sales were slightly below the revised target, they still significantly surpassed the initial forecast, demonstrating substantial early demand for the new console.
Daniel Ahmad, an analyst at Niko Partners, noted that the lack of visibility for Nintendo's upcoming first-party game lineup could also be a contributing factor to the stock's decline. Currently, known Switch 2 titles through July include "Yoshi and the Mysterious Atlas" (Japanese: ヨッシーとフカシギの図鑑), "Star Fox," and "Splatoon Raiders," but release plans beyond that remain unclear.
External media believe that if Nintendo aims to incentivize more players to purchase the Switch 2 before the price increase, it will need to unveil more first-party titles for the latter half of 2026. Whether it's a rumored remake of "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time," a new 3D "Mario" title, or a new "Super Smash Bros." installment, these could serve as crucial leverage to stabilize market confidence.
Note: Financial figures and earnings forecasts should be confirmed through the company’s official announcements.
via： TheGamer