Images of what appear to be a 40th anniversary Legend of Zelda-themed Switch 2 were shared online yesterday at ResetEra and later circulated across social media, and if it's real, it's an absolute beauty. Yet anyone now planning to hold off grabbing a Nintendo Switch 2 bundle in hopes of adding another Triforce-coated console to their setup is likely going to have to pay more.
From September 1 onwards, the Nintendo Switch 2 is rising from $449.99 to $499.99 in the US, though the official new UK price point has yet to be unveiled. Unless Nintendo decides to announce and roll out pre-orders over the next 20 days, it's going to be at least $50 higher than the basic standalone console. If you're a die-hard Zelda fan with cash to spare, that likely won't change your determination to grab one, but for anyone else, I recommend picking up the plain-Jane Nintendo machine now if your budget is anything but legendary.
Look, I get it. The leaked console looks pretty beautiful. The images of the flattened box, which were later re-posted by Nintendeal over at X (Twitter) today, depict not just a stunning Link tunic green console, but the best Switch 2 Joy-Con designs I've seen so far. I don't even have to imagine that'd be hard to ignore as a Zelda fan, as I'm someone who bought the Tears of the Kingdom OLED limited edition console despite there being absolutely nothing wrong with my original Switch. But I'd much sooner recommend that those who want a way to play the upcoming Ocarina of Time remake pick up the current system while it's still $449.99.
As this is still a leak, we don't even know for certain that it's an authentic Switch 2, nor do we know when it could be released if it were real. If you wait and it ends up not being a reality, you've squandered your chance to grab a cheaper console even more. There is a chance (though a very slim one) that Nintendo should surprise-drop a post of it with a pre-order link across its many social media channels over the next few days, meaning that it might stave off the incoming price markup, but I think that's a bit unrealistic.
Some X (Twitter) users like @NoRageQuit are re-sharing images of the leaked console packaging (and its matching Zelda Switch 2 Pro controller box) and stating that "Apparently it'll be coming out on November 12, 2026." That'd be long after the price increase would be in effect. Not to mention, as a limited-edition console, there's an extra hidden cost you've got to take into consideration.
