The console landscape is getting wilder by the day. A fresh Bloomberg report (dropped February 15, 2026) shines a spotlight on how the explosive demand for RAM from AI data centers is shaking up plans for Sony and Nintendo. Bottom line: we might not see a new PlayStation until 2028 or even 2029, and the Switch 2 could see a price bump as soon as this year.
PS6 Delayed? Sony Weighing a Push to 2028–2029
Sony is reportedly rethinking its timeline for the next PlayStation (likely the PS6), with sources saying a launch could slip to 2028 or 2029 instead of the more traditional ~2027 window. This would make the PS5 generation one of the longest ever—potentially 8–9 years.
The main culprit? A full-blown "RAM crisis" fueled by AI. Massive data centers from companies like Nvidia, Microsoft, and Google are snapping up DRAM at premium prices, leaving consumer electronics makers like Sony scrambling for supply and facing skyrocketing costs. Rather than launch into that mess (and risk higher prices or shortages), Sony's considering waiting it out—hoping prices stabilize or supply loosens up.
Gamers seem surprisingly onboard. The PS5 (and PS5 Pro) is still delivering big exclusives, strong backwards compatibility, and solid performance. Many feel the current gen is just hitting its prime—no rush for a PS6 when the library's thriving.
Nintendo's Bind: Switch 2 Price Hike Looming in 2026?
Nintendo doesn't have the luxury of delay. The Switch 2 launched in 2025 at $449.99—already a jump from the original's $299—and it came at the right time tech-wise (the old Switch was showing its age). But now the same AI-driven RAM surge is hitting hard.
The report notes Nintendo contributed to 2025 demand spikes (via the console and storage cards), and with component costs climbing, they're reportedly mulling a price increase for the Switch 2 in 2026. Nintendo had assured fans no immediate hikes, but they left wiggle room for "market uncertainty." Absorbing big per-unit losses isn't viable long-term, so a bump (possibly pushing it over $500) feels increasingly likely.
It's tough timing—early momentum is strong post-launch, but a hike could frustrate fans who already called the base price steep.
Why AI Is the Real Villain Here
This isn't isolated drama—it's the entire tech ecosystem feeling the pinch:
AI companies pay whatever it takes for high-end memory → chipmakers prioritize them
Consumer brands (consoles, PCs, phones) get pushed down the queue → higher costs + scarcer parts
Result: Delays for some (Sony), price adjustments for others (Nintendo potential)
No quick fix in sight—analysts warn this could drag on for years.
So, the industry faces longer console cycles, pricier hardware where unavoidable, and everything reshaped by AI priorities. A silver lining for PS fans? More time to enjoy the PS5 era. For Switch 2 owners? Brace for possible sticker shock.
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