Nintendo Switch 2 US price didn’t account for any tariffs as Nintendo confirms it’s ‘assessing’ new pricing

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Last week’s unveiling of a $450 price tag for the Nintendo Switch 2 left me (and many others) in a state of surprise. After an hour-long Nintendo Direct presentation that showcased its specifications, new games, and innovative features like GameChat, I found myself questioning the affordability, especially considering the cost of first-party game releases alongside it.

After making a direct announcement, Nintendo has decided to postpone pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S., due to the implementation of new tariffs. These tariffs have significantly increased prices on goods exported from Japan (at a rate of 24%), Vietnam (46%) and China (54%). Consequently, the cost of Nintendo Switch 2 could see a significant rise for American gamers.

Nintendo Switch 2 price didn’t account for tariffs

In an interview with The Verge (paid content), Nintendo America’s president, Doug Bowser, revealed that the pricing for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console was set prior to the White House announcing any tariffs. This cost is based on the hardware components inside the device, such as its custom Nvidia chipset, upgraded joy-cons, a significantly enhanced screen, and more.

Disregard the April 2nd announcement for a moment. It’s important to note that any earlier tariffs were not included in our product pricing. This new development is recent, and similar to many other businesses, we are currently evaluating its potential effects.

In simple terms, the head of Nintendo America has announced that they won’t stop selling the original Nintendo Switch despite the arrival of its successor. Just like how the Wii and the Wii U, or the 3DS and the Switch, were both available on the market at the same time, Nintendo plans to keep offering the original hybrid console for sale.

Bowser mentioned that when considering pricing, the Nintendo Switch was a factor since it’s still being distributed,” he continued, “However, the main driver behind our decision wasn’t just about comparison with the Switch, but rather focusing on what makes this specific gaming experience unique compared to the Switch 1.

For approximately the last ten years, Nintendo has expanded its manufacturing beyond China. This shift might be due to the increasing anti-China sentiment in America during Trump’s first term in 2016. In this time frame, a significant portion of Nintendo’s hardware production was transferred to Vietnam and Cambodia, countries that have also faced heavy tariffs.

As a dedicated gamer eagerly awaiting the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, I’m keeping a close eye on political developments that could potentially influence its pricing. With various politicians from across America advocating for tariff reductions or reversals, it seems we might need to be patient before we can get our hands on the new console at a possibly revised price.

To delve deeper into the capabilities of the latest Switch 2 model, explore its impressive power demonstrated in various reviews. Furthermore, uncover details about its innovative features such as DLSS and ray-tracing technology, which were not highlighted during the console’s initial unveiling.

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2025-04-08 12:42