SEGA Ships Sonic Racing 1.4.1, Adding Classic Sonic for 35th Anniversary

Q: One year after its launch, why is Nintendo increasing the price of the Switch 2?

Nintendo is raising the Switch 2’s price because its costs have gone up and it wants to protect profitability as the market becomes tougher. The company says the increase reflects “changes in market conditions” and the broader global business outlook. In practical terms, that means higher manufacturing costs, especially for key parts such as memory and storage. Those components have become more expensive amid strong global demand, including from AI data-center buildouts, which has tightened supply and pushed prices higher. Nintendo is also facing higher logistics and operating costs, while earlier tariff-related pressures have added to the strain. The company has indicated that these are not short-term issues and could weigh on earnings over the medium to long term. The timing also reflects a business calculation. Although the Switch 2 had a strong launch year, Nintendo expects sales to slow in the current fiscal year. Raising the U.S. MSRP from $449.99 to $499.99 starting September 1, 2026 helps offset thinner hardware margins as unit growth cools. This is not happening in isolation. Sony and Microsoft have also adjusted console pricing in response to the same economic pressures, suggesting Nintendo’s move is part of a wider industry response rather than a Switch 2-specific problem. Nintendo has acknowledged the impact on consumers and is trying to soften it with bundled free games in some markets.

3 articles · Updated · Nintendo Everything · Jun 24

Version 1.4.1 is live now for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, bringing Classic Sonic as a playable racer with his Mach Cyclone and 35th-anniversary music tied to Sonic’s 35th birthday.
The update also adds 8 new gadgets, 15 collaboration decals, Mandarin voice support, and songs from Sonic Mania and Sonic Superstars, while easing Friendship unlock requirements and adding a SEGA Account status display.
Competitive changes center on fairer starts and gadget balance: all racers now begin with 20 Rings outside Time Trial, Ring Engine stacking was cut to 9 km/h from 11 km/h, and Hyper Ring Engine now properly grants 4 km/h top speed.
SEGA said more balance work is coming as World Championship Qualifiers Legend Competition Round 6 approaches, with a Sonic 35th Anniversary Festival set to begin on June 26.