How Trump’s tariffs could affect the Switch 2 – and the rest of the games industry

Update, April 4, 2025: Due to the tariffs, Nintendo has postponed US pre-orders for the Switch 2 from its original April 9 date to a later time. However, the launch date of June 5 will remain unchanged.

Original story, April 4, 2025: Analysts and various industry figures have commented on the possible impact of US President Donald Trump’s tariffs, particularly concerning the upcoming release of the Nintendo Switch 2.

Trump’s general 10% tariff rate for select countries takes effect on April 5, 2025, while countries facing higher ‘reciprocal’ tariffs will likely be affected starting April 9. The full impact is starting to materialize as countries respond.

In this scenario, it’s a crucial week for the gaming industry, with the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 revealed shortly before the tariffs were officially announced on April 2. Consequently, it has sparked speculation on whether the $450 US price tag for the Switch 2 was partially influenced by the impending threat of tariffs.

“It’s hard to determine for sure,” says Mat Piscatella of Circana when asked if he thinks Nintendo considered tariffs in pricing. “However, the potential for tariffs was well known prior to the pricing announcement for Switch 2 products.”

“To what extent tariffs influenced the pricing decision? I can’t say for certain. I would assume it was at least a factor.”

“Nintendo likely conducted simulations to arrive at a price that would make them as tariff-resistant as possible.”

Dr. Serkan Toto, Kantan Games

The specifics surrounding the tariffs were particularly challenging to forecast.

“Whether the magnitude and nature of the tariffs, as announced yesterday, were viewed as feasible is an entirely different matter,” Piscatella mentions. “Another open question is how the announced tariffs may imply potential further consumer price hikes (not just for Nintendo products, but across all physical video game goods), especially in the US.”

When queried by GameSpot about the tariffs and if they might elevate Switch 2 pricing in affected countries, a Nintendo representative stated, “If there are any pricing modifications, we will notify you.”

Nintendo has shifted some manufacturing of its hardware to Vietnam, which was subjected to a steep 46% reciprocal tariff. “The reciprocal tariffs on Vietnam and Japan have been higher than anticipated, and Nintendo will feel the repercussions if the tariffs take full effect,” remarked Niko Partners.

Nevertheless, Niko Partners do not foresee a price hike for the Switch 2 based on the information released this week. “That said, we believe it’s improbable that Nintendo will increase the cost of the console at this time, but it’s also unlikely to see a price decrease in the next five years.”

Dr. Serkan Toto from Kantan Games agrees that a price increase above the announced $450 is unlikely. “I think it is now too late for Nintendo to raise the price further, if that was ever a consideration in the first place,” Toto tells GamesIndustry.biz.

“As for tariffs, Nintendo was navigating a black box until April 2 – just like everyone else,” Toto adds. “As a hardware manufacturer, Nintendo likely ran simulations to determine a price that would mitigate tariff impacts as much as possible.”

Piers Harding-Rolls of Ampere Analysis told GameSpot that any price increase due to the tariffs would likely be seen further down the line. “If the tariffs continue, I believe a price increase in 2026 could be a possibility.”

“All anyone can do at this point is speculate,” says Piscatella when asked about the potential influence of tariffs on the Switch 2 before and after launch. “We are undoubtedly in uncharted territory here, and no one truly knows what will occur next. The situation is chaotic, to say the least.”

“In terms of the impact on Switch 2, even if additional price hikes were to occur, I’m not…”