The excitement surrounding tomorrow’s release of the Nintendo Switch 2 is palpable, with fans eager to experience the enhanced capabilities and new games. However, the community has expressed significant concern over the console’s pricing, which marks a notable increase from its predecessor.
Set to hit stores this Thursday, the Nintendo Switch 2 will retail for $449, with a $499 bundle that includes a digital copy of Mario Kart World.
That price hasn’t sat well with everyone. But in light of recent economic shifts, simply keeping it where it is might soon feel like a win.
Tariffs loom over Switch 2 launch
President Donald Trump’s return to the White House has reignited trade conflicts, and his administration’s tariff proposals are already sparking concerns across several industries, including gaming.
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa recently acknowledged that if trade conditions worsen, the company might have to raise prices or adjust their strategy, a concern analysts seem to share.
GamesRadar recently spoke with several industry experts who believe the console could indeed become more expensive in the U.S. if tariffs are enacted.
“If the tariff talks do not progress quickly and Nintendo runs out of the first batch of hardware, price increases are certainly possible,” said Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of Kantan Games. “It’s not just chaotic, it’s an absolute clown show, nobody knows what is going to happen even 24 hours from now.”
Mat Piscatella, executive director at Circana, was equally direct. He emphasized that the chaotic nature of the proposed tariffs make it nearly impossible to predict how much prices could rise. According to him, any gaming product imported from countries affected by these tariffs could be subject to increases.
Meanwhile, David Cole, head of market research firm DFC Intelligence, believes Nintendo may have already factored the tariff risk into the current retail price. Still, he notes that any further increases could push gamers to wait for future price drops or promotions.
Nintendo nudges prices
While the retail price of the Switch 2 remains stable, Nintendo has already adjusted the prices of accessories and Amiibo figurines. These increases, effective at launch, may signal that the Japanese company is bracing for rising console costs.
Joost van Dreunen, a professor at NYU Stern School of Business, isn’t optimistic about the situation. He warns that more price hikes could come soon, especially given the economic instability caused by policy shifts.
“While Nintendo has indicated a commitment to maintaining the initial price point, the economic pressures from abrupt policy changes present a real risk of necessitating price adjustments,” he said.
Furukawa is aware that the pricing could impact early adoption of the new console, and in their May 2025 financial report, he admitted that tariff uncertainty was factored into sales projections.
Nintendo even delayed preorders in the U.S. and Canada while it assessed the potential effects of these policies.
What do you think? Will tariffs push Switch 2 prices even higher? Would you wait to get it until it is cheaper? Let us know in the comments.