Nintendo Switch 2 Price Hike Linked to New Tariffs

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nintendo announced Wednesday that its new Switch 2 console will launch in June at a price of $449.99, a significant increase attributed to tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. The console, which is set for release eight years after the original Switch, is facing higher costs due to recent tariffs affecting imports from countries including Vietnam.

Industry analysts have suggested that the tariffs, particularly on goods imported from East Asian nations that manufacture Nintendo products, have pressured the company to raise prices. Joost van Dreunen, a professor at New York University Stern School of Business, cited the activation of tariffs on Vietnamese goods as a significant factor impacting production costs for the Switch 2. “Nintendo has spent years focusing on optimizing its supply chain away from China. This situation puts pressure on those adjustments,” he said.

Amid these changes, consumers can expect to see not only the increased console price but also a rise in accessory costs, predicted to increase by 10-15 percent. Van Dreunen also noted a potential shift in the pricing structure for Nintendo games, with some new releases, including the highly anticipated “Mario Kart World,” priced at $80—a step up from previous pricing norms.

The freshly announced price for the Switch 2 represents a 50 percent increase over the original Switch’s launch price. Serkan Toto, founder of Kantan Games, described the revised pricing as “a bit higher than what was widely expected.” Analysts speculate that this increase may be in preparation for even steeper tariff impacts than originally anticipated by Nintendo.

During the announcement event, Nintendo did not reveal the console’s price but disclosed it later that day. The Switch 2 will feature several visual upgrades, including 1080p screens and the ability to play in 4K resolution when connected to compatible televisions.

However, the launch has not been without controversy. The price hike sparked backlash among consumers, especially among gaming communities on platforms like Reddit, where many expressed their frustrations over what they feel are excessive costs. A user on the r/gaming subreddit remarked, “That’s too expensive and the price will never go down,” garnering over 1,100 upvotes.

In a surprising twist, Nintendo also announced they would not be opening pre-orders in the U.S. next week due to the uncertainty surrounding the tariffs. A company statement said, “Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not start April 9 to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions.” However, pre-orders in the U.K. are expected to proceed as planned.

In a related announcement, Trump confirmed that tariffs of 34 percent would be imposed on goods from China, and 46 percent on Vietnam, increasing financial strain on companies relying on those supply chains. This decision has been criticized by economists and industry leaders who fear it will increase costs for consumers and disrupt global trade.

As the June release date approaches, the gaming community and industry analysts will be closely monitoring how these tariff changes affect both the console’s cost and the overall gaming landscape.