President Donald Trump’s tariffs have caused major issues for Nintendo. Concerns over import restrictions forced the company to delay Switch 2 pre-orders in certain regions, and while the console’s base price has remained steady, accessory prices have already climbed.
And it might not stop there. Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa says if the situation worsens, the Switch 2 itself could see a price hike, a worrying prospect for fans already bracing for steeper costs.
Switch 2 price could rise if tariffs escalate
In an interview with Reuters Japan, Furukawa shared his outlook on the upcoming launch of the Switch 2. Unsurprisingly, he was asked about the impact of U.S. tariffs, which have hit Japanese companies hard. Furukawa explained that levies are factored into the final retail price of Nintendo’s products.
He then emphasized that players shouldn’t expect an immediate price jump, but acknowledged that the company would raise prices if market conditions deteriorate.
“If tariffs are imposed in any country or region, we will recognize them as a cost and incorporate them into the price,” Furukawa stated.
Recent reports suggest video game console prices could rise as much as 69%, making it unlikely that Nintendo fans will avoid higher costs for hardware and software in the short or long term.
Furukawa also voiced concerns about a decline in demand in the United States, one of Nintendo’s key markets. He added that rising prices on essential goods could cut into consumer spending on entertainment like video games.
“If prices of daily necessities like food increase, then people will have less money to spend on game consoles. If we were to adjust the price of the Switch 2, this could decrease demand.”
Facing this scenario, Nintendo has already taken steps to ramp up production. The aim is to bring the Switch 2 to market quickly and secure a strong position before potential price increases hit.
Accessories already more expensive before release
To offset the initial impact of tariffs, Nintendo increased the price of various accessories tied to the Switch 2. Items such as controllers, cameras, and memory cards are already seeing higher price tags.
Here’s how much everything will cost:
- Nintendo Switch 2: $449.99
- Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart World Bundle: $499.99
- Mario Kart World: $79.99
- Donkey Kong Bananza: $69.99
- Pro Controller: $84.99
- Joy-Con 2: $94.99
- Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip: $39.99
- Joy-Con 2 Strap: $13.99
- Joy-Con Wheel Set: $24.99
- Camera: $54.99
- Dock Set: $119.99
- Carrying Case and Screen Protector: $39.99
- All-in-one Case: $84.99
- Power Adapter: $34.99
- Samsung Express MicroSD 256 GB: $59.99