Memory Shortage Could Raise Switch 2 Price, Delay PlayStation 6

Last updated: 2026/02/17 at 5:26 AM

News Room Published 17 February 2026

If you have been thinking about buying a games console, now might be the right time to invest in one. The ongoing memory shortage could result in a price hike for Nintendo Switch 2 and delay the release of PlayStation 6, Bloomberg reports.

The memory crunch is being driven by demand for AI infrastructure. As chipmakers prioritize AI customers, consumer electronics brands are struggling to secure enough supply and are increasingly weighing options like price hikes and potential delays.

In the case of Nintendo, sources tell Bloomberg that the company is contemplating a price hike for Switch 2 as early as this year. The console was announced in mid-2025 with a starting price of $449.99.

Analysts expected Nintendo to revise its pricing in response to President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs on Vietnam and Cambodia, where most of the company’s US hardware is reportedly manufactured. That didn’t happen, and the Switch 2 became a major hit, going on to become Nintendo’s fastest-selling console ever.

The product still retails at its launch price, but the rising storage and RAM costs may force changes. Shuntaro Furukawa, Nintendo’s president, recently spoke about price rises, saying he wouldn’t comment on “hypotheticals” but confirming the brand hadn’t ruled out a change given the “very volatile” market.

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In Sony’s case, the PlayStation 6 was earlier rumored to launch in 2027, but the memory crunch has pushed the release to 2028 or even 2029, sources tell Bloomberg. If true, this would leave a huge gap between the release of the PlayStation 6 and its predecessor, PlayStation 5, which debuted in late 2020.

Demand for AI infrastructure has been clearing up the HHD supply and raising SSD prices. Consumers are expected to pay 15% more for laptops and 10% more for smartphones this year, according to TrendForce.