The Xbox Series S now costs more than the Nintendo Switch 2 in the UK and Europe, a direct result of Microsoft's sweeping console price increases that took effect at the start of August.
Here's the lowdown on what the new numbers actually look like. The Xbox Series S 512GB now sits at $499.99, while the 1TB model climbs to $599.99. The Nintendo Switch 2, by comparison, currently retails at $449.99, making it the cheaper option. That gap exists across the UK and European markets too, where the Switch 2 comes in below both Series S configurations.
How a five-year-old console ended up pricier than the new kid
The Series S launched back in November 2020, which makes this situation particularly striking. A console that's been on shelves for over half a decade now commands a higher price tag than Nintendo's latest hardware. The $100 increase on the 512GB model and $150 bump on the 1TB version are tied to ongoing global RAM shortages that have been squeezing the entire tech industry, with memory costs rippling through every piece of consumer hardware from PCs to consoles.
The Xbox Series X all-digital version fares even worse for value optics, now starting at $749.99. That's approaching PS5 Pro territory, which has itself crept toward the $1,000 mark after Sony's own increases. The console market in 2026 looks nothing like the conventional wisdom that prices drop over a generation's lifespan.
The Switch 2 price advantage has an expiry date
The key here is that Nintendo's pricing edge is temporary. Nintendo has confirmed the Switch 2 will increase by $50 to $499.99 within the next month. At that point, the 512GB Series S and the Switch 2 land at identical prices in the US. UK and European Switch 2 pricing changes haven't been confirmed yet, but the direction of travel is clear.
What this means for gamers is that the window to pick up a Switch 2 at its current price is closing fast. The library justifies the hardware too. Games like FF7 Rebirth have made the jump to the platform, and if you want to see how that holds up technically, the FF7 Rebirth Switch 2 graphics vs performance breakdown covers exactly what DLSS does for the trade-offs. The Switch 2 lineup keeps growing, with titles like Phasmophobia confirmed for the platform in 2026 and survival game Smalland also on the way.
Where each console stands right now
The table makes the situation plain. The Switch 2 is currently the most affordable option of the four, but that changes once Nintendo's increase lands. After that, the two cheapest options sit at the same price point, which is a strange place for the market to find itself.
For anyone sitting on the fence between platforms, the next few weeks matter. Check out our gaming guides for Switch 2 game coverage to help figure out whether the library fits what you actually want to play before that price window closes.
