Following a price drop for the standard Nintendo Switch model in Europe earlier, the manufacturer has made it clear that there will be no changes to the Switch's price in the US. Still retailing at $300, the console’s price has remained unchanged in North America since its release in March 2017.
The Nintendo Switch continues to be a highly popular console thanks to its large library of first-party games coupled with its versatility as a portable handheld or docked home console, a feature that sets it apart from Xbox and PlayStation systems. Despite the high demand for a more powerful version of the Switch, Nintendo instead announced the Switch OLED Model in July, which will release on October 8 and sell for $350. The Switch OLED’s announcement was largely considered underwhelming to fans, as the refresh will offer little improvement in terms of hardware with its slightly larger 7-inch screen and improved dock. Shortly after the announcement, Nintendo denied Switch Pro rumors by stating that it had no plans to release any other iterations of the console outside of the Switch OLED at the time.
Nintendo has revealed it will not be reducing the price of the base model Switch console in America, according to communications between the company and Axios's Stephen Totilo. Totilo quoted Nintendo of America’s statement in a tweet reading, “The trade price adjustment is for the European region only. There are no plans to change the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price for any Nintendo Switch model in the U.S.” This news comes shortly after rumors of an impending price cut for the console in the region, which was suspected to bring the Switch's retail price from $300 down to $250.
Earlier in the week, Nintendo unveiled permanent price cut for the Switch base model in Europe, taking the regular retail price down to £260 from £280 in the UK. At the time of the announcement, it was revealed that the decision to reduce the console’s price was due to several factors, such as currency exchange rates and the pricing of the upcoming Switch OLED Model.
This information is understandably disappointing for prospective Nintendo Switch owners in North America, many of which may have been hoping for a price cut for the console's base model in line with the one that Europe now enjoys. However, it is not all bad news for North American Nintendo enthusiasts, as current owners of the console can at least enjoy Bluetooth audio on the Switch for the first time in four years thanks to the latest system update. This heavily requested feature now makes wireless sound devices, such as Apple AirPods, compatible with the console, but a cheaper Nintendo Switch may be a longer wait for those still waiting for a lower price point.
Source: Stephen Totilo/Twitter