Introduction
Nintendo has confirmed new Switch 2 holiday bundles just days before a price increase takes effect. If you have been holding off on a purchase, the timing of these bundles matters more than usual this year. Here is a full breakdown of pricing, included games, and the rest of Nintendo’s holiday lineup.
Nintendo Switch 2 Price Increase: What Changed
Starting September 1, 2026, the Nintendo Switch 2 console price rises from $449.99 to $499.99, a $50 increase. Nintendo has framed the two new bundles as a way to lock in extra value right before that change takes hold.
Industry analysts describe this as the smallest console price hike of 2026 compared with recent increases from PS5, Xbox, and Steam Deck. Rising DRAM costs are the most commonly cited reason across the console industry this year.
The Mario Kart World Holiday Bundle
The refreshed Switch 2 and Mario Kart World bundle costs $549.99 and is expected to arrive in late September 2026. It includes:
- A Nintendo Switch 2 console
- A digital download code for Mario Kart World
- A 90-day Nintendo Switch Online Individual Membership
Nintendo says buying all three separately after the price increase would cost roughly $38 more than the bundle. Worth noting, the earlier version of this bundle sold for $499.99 and did not include the Switch Online membership.
The Nintendo Switch Sports Resort Bundle
The second new bundle pairs the console with Nintendo Switch Sports Resort, launching October 22, 2026, the same day the game releases at retail. It costs $529.99 and includes:
- A Nintendo Switch 2 console
- A digital download code for Nintendo Switch Sports Resort
- A 90-day Nintendo Switch Online Individual Membership
Switch Sports Resort sends players back to Wuhu Island, last seen during the Wii era, with 12 motion-controlled activities including boxing, archery, and bowling. Players can build a custom Sportsmate or use an existing Mii character.
How Much You Save
Nintendo estimates this bundle saves shoppers about $28 compared with buying the console, game, and membership separately once the price increase takes effect on September 1.
What Happened to the Choose Your Game Bundle
Until August 31, 2026, Nintendo offered a Choose Your Game bundle, letting buyers pick one of three titles alongside the console:
- Mario Kart World ($79.99 standalone)
- Donkey Kong Bananza ($69.99 standalone)
- Pokémon Pokopia ($59.99 standalone)
That bundle is going away alongside the base price increase. Some analysts read this as a sign that platform holders across the industry are pulling back promotional bundles generally, not just raising sticker prices.
Holiday 2026 Games Lineup
Beyond the bundles themselves, Nintendo’s holiday release schedule is filling out. Confirmed and expected titles include:
- Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave — releasing September 17, 2026
- The Duskbloods — expected sometime in 2026, exact date not yet announced
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake — expected sometime in 2026, exact date not yet announced
Third-party support is also part of the picture, with titles like Kingdom Hearts IV mentioned among analysts as part of a strong holiday lineup that could offset any slowdown from the price increase.
Are These Bundles Worth Buying
Whether a bundle makes sense depends on timing and whether you already planned to buy Switch Online access. If you want the console plus a full year of Switch Online, buying components separately before September 1 may cost less overall, since a full year of membership currently runs close to the same price as the extra $50 saved through a bundle.
If you were only ever going to buy a 90-day membership anyway, the bundles line up closely with what you would spend buying everything at full post-increase prices, while saving a modest amount.
What This Means for Shoppers This Holiday Season
Nintendo’s own forecasts expect Switch 2 sales to cool slightly this fiscal year, dropping to around 16.5 million units from 19.86 million the year before. The company has partly attributed that slowdown to the price increase itself, though it still expects a strong holiday season backed by the Zelda remake and other exclusives.
For most buyers, the practical takeaway is simple. Anyone planning a Switch 2 purchase for the holidays should compare current pre-increase pricing against the new bundles before September 1 to see which route actually costs less.
Key Takeaways
- Price increase: Switch 2 rises from $449.99 to $499.99 on September 1, 2026.
- Mario Kart World bundle: $549.99, arriving late September, includes a 90-day Switch Online membership.
- Sports Resort bundle: $529.99, launching October 22, 2026, alongside the game itself.
- Discontinued offer: The Choose Your Game bundle ends August 31, 2026.
- Holiday games: Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, The Duskbloods, and a Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake round out the 2026 lineup.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Nintendo Switch 2 price increase take effect?
The price rises from $449.99 to $499.99 starting September 1, 2026.
What is included in the new Mario Kart World bundle?
It includes a Switch 2 console, a digital Mario Kart World download code, and a 90-day Switch Online Individual Membership for $549.99.
When does the Nintendo Switch Sports Resort bundle launch?
It launches October 22, 2026, the same day as the game itself, priced at $529.99.
Is the Choose Your Game bundle still available?
No, that bundle is scheduled to end on August 31, 2026, right before the price increase.
What major games are coming to Switch 2 this holiday season?
Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, The Duskbloods, and a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time are all expected in 2026.
Conclusion
Nintendo’s new Switch 2 holiday bundles arrive at a pivotal moment, just before the console’s price jumps to $499.99. Between the Mario Kart World bundle, the new Sports Resort bundle, and a packed holiday games lineup, shoppers have a narrow window to compare pricing before the increase locks in. Buying before September 1 may still be the cheaper route for some shoppers, depending on how much Switch Online access they actually need.
