Nintendo has bumped up the prices on several key Switch 2 accessories, including the new Joy-Con 2 Controllers and the Pro Controller. But while Nintendo raised the MSRP by $5 across the board, some major retailers are keeping prices lower — for now.
The company officially raised prices on August 3, but the decision landed awkwardly, especially as Target and Amazon immediately slashed prices in the opposite direction. Consumers are now caught between Nintendo’s new pricing strategy and retailers clearly unwilling to follow the lead — at least not yet.
Joy-Con 2 Now Costs $100 — Unless You Shop Smart
The new suggested retail price for a Joy-Con 2 Controller two-pack is $100, up from $95. That makes it the most expensive official Joy-Con bundle Nintendo has ever sold. And yet, the current market tells a very different story.
As of August 4:
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Amazon and Target are both selling the Joy-Con 2 (2-pack) for $90
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Walmart has it at $94
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Best Buy and GameStop are sticking with $95
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Nintendo’s own online store lists the full $100 MSRP
So yes, the MSRP is higher — but you can still pay less if you shop around. Retailers like Amazon are effectively treating Nintendo’s hike as optional, at least while stock lasts.
This standoff could shift quickly if supplies run out or if retailers align with Nintendo in the coming weeks. But right now, the message is clear: the MSRP has changed, but the price you actually pay might not have to.
Pro Controller 2 Price Hike Hits as Inventory Shrinks
Nintendo also raised the MSRP of the Switch 2 Pro Controller from $85 to $90. Unlike the Joy-Con 2, though, availability is already starting to tighten.
Amazon, for one, sold out of its Pro Controller inventory earlier on August 3. That didn’t take long.
Walmart, however, still has the best price at $84, lower than even the old MSRP. Here’s where it stands:
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Walmart – $84
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Target – $85
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Best Buy – $85
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GameStop – $90
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Nintendo Store – $90
No one’s quite sure how long those pre-hike prices will hold. Retailers usually adjust over time, especially if Nintendo applies pressure behind the scenes.
But for now, a few lucky buyers are still scoring the controller for below MSRP — at least if they know where to look.
Straps Go Up, Accessories Stay Put
Not every accessory got a price bump. Some did. Others didn’t.
Nintendo raised the price of Joy-Con 2 Straps (2-Pack) from $14 to $15, although Amazon has undercut them again by dropping the set to $13. The straps are more important than they look: they’re necessary for the new mouse mode feature in certain games, and each Joy-Con 2 includes one.
Still, two major accessories remain unchanged:
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Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip with Back Buttons – stays at $40
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Joy-Con 2 Racing Wheel Set (2-Pack) – still $25
The unchanged price for the Charging Grip is good news for those looking to extend battery life or take advantage of the new remappable back buttons — a first for Nintendo’s own hardware.
Here’s the price breakdown in table form:
| Accessory | New MSRP | Lowest Current Price | Retailers with Best Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joy-Con 2 Controllers (2-pack) | $100 | $90 | Amazon, Target |
| Switch 2 Pro Controller | $90 | $84 | Walmart |
| Joy-Con 2 Straps (2-pack) | $15 | $13 | Amazon |
| Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip (with back btns) | $40 | $40 | All major retailers |
| Joy-Con 2 Racing Wheel Set (2-pack) | $25 | $25 | All major retailers |
Why the Price Bump Now?
That’s the question a lot of Switch fans are asking.
Nintendo hasn’t explained the reason behind the price increase. The company simply adjusted the listings on its store and updated the MSRP figures on August 3 — quietly, without a formal announcement or press release.
There’s no major supply chain issue publicly reported. And these aren’t wildly new products either. The Joy-Con 2s look a lot like their predecessors — just slightly larger, with improved HD Rumble, better bumpers, and the GameChat button on the right controller.
And yet, $5 here, $5 there… it adds up.
Fans speculate that Nintendo could be testing the waters ahead of a full-scale Switch 2 rollout. Raising accessory prices subtly — without touching the console itself yet — might be a way to increase margins as manufacturing costs stabilize.
Or it could be a way to differentiate the Switch 2 line from legacy Switch 1 accessories, even if the controllers are backwards compatible.
Either way, consumers noticed.
What’s Actually New About the Joy-Con 2?
Let’s talk upgrades. Because these Joy-Cons aren’t just more expensive — they’re also, technically, better.
They include:
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Improved HD Rumble for more precise feedback
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Larger bumpers, making single Joy-Con play more comfortable
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New GameChat button on the right controller for voice communication
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Magnetic connection system that’s easier to snap in
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Mouse mode, which allows players to use the Joy-Con like a sideways scroll mouse in compatible games
Each set still includes matching wrist straps, which are critical for features like mouse mode. And yes, you can still buy them individually:
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Left Joy-Con 2 (Blue Strap) – $55
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Right Joy-Con 2 (Red Strap) – $55
No price hikes for these singles — at least not yet.
Timing Is Everything — And This Was Weird Timing
The strangest part? Nintendo raised prices on August 3, but Target and Amazon dropped prices on August 1 — two days before the official increase. Was that pure coincidence or a calculated response?
Hard to say. But it’s obvious that retailers were either tipped off or decided on their own not to follow suit immediately. The fact that Walmart is still selling below MSRP — below even the original MSRP, in the Pro Controller’s case — only fuels the mystery.
For now, Nintendo fans can still shop smart and dodge the increases. But don’t expect that window to stay open forever.
