The past week has been a whirlwind for U.S. gamers, starting with the much-anticipated full reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2, complete with its impressive lineup of games. However, excitement quickly turned to concern when the $450 price tag and $80 price for Mario Kart Tour were announced. The roller coaster of emotions continued as Nintendo decided to delay pre-orders to assess the impact of the Trump Administration's sudden and sweeping tariffs on global trade. These tariffs have left the gaming community wondering if the Nintendo Switch 2 will become even more expensive once pre-orders finally open.
We've previously explored why the Nintendo Switch 2 is priced so high and the potential impact of these tariffs on the gaming industry as a whole. Now, the pressing question remains: What will Nintendo do? Will the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 increase?
Typically, to address such questions, I consult a panel of expert industry analysts. While they can't predict the future, they usually provide a consensus based on evidence and data. This week, I've already turned to them twice for insights. However, this time, every analyst I spoke with was stumped. They offered guesses—Nintendo might raise the price, or it might not—but each response was heavily caveated with an emphasis on the current chaos and unpredictability. This situation is unprecedented, unfolding rapidly, and no one can accurately predict the actions of Nintendo, the Trump administration, or any other stakeholders in the near future.
With this in mind, here's a summary of what the analysts I spoke with had to say:
Sky-High Switch
The panel was divided on whether Nintendo would raise prices. Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of Kantan Games, initially thought it was too late for Nintendo to adjust prices after their announcement. However, the delay in pre-orders has changed his perspective. He believes Nintendo may have no choice but to raise prices not only for the system but also for games and accessories due to the tariffs. "It is very difficult to predict, but Nintendo will likely take a few days to run simulations and then announce hikes," he said. "I hope I am wrong, but if sustained, these sky-high tariffs leave them no choice. Would you be surprised now to see Switch 2 hit US$500 for the base model? I wouldn't."
Dr. Toto also questioned Nintendo's timing: "Why on earth did Nintendo not wait for the US to fix their tariffs first and then decide on pricing during a Direct a few days later? This made no sense."
Mat Piscatella, senior analyst at Circana, also anticipates an increase in game prices, including those from Nintendo. He emphasized the unpredictability of the situation but noted that the tariffs were much higher than anticipated. "Every reasonable and responsible business that relies on international supply chains will be reevaluating its US consumer pricing at this point. They have to," he said. Piscatella pointed out that the US might join regions with historically higher game prices due to these tariffs.
Manu Rosier, director of market analysis at Newzoo, predicts an increase in hardware prices but believes software might be less affected due to the growing dominance of digital distribution. "While physical versions might be subject to tariffs, the growing dominance and lower cost of digital distribution would likely limit any broader effect," he said. However, he noted that if a substantial tariff were introduced, companies like Nintendo would likely pass the cost onto consumers rather than absorb it.
Holding the Line
On the other side of the speculation, Joost van Dreunen, NYU Stern professor and author of SuperJoost Playlist, acknowledges that a price increase is possible, especially given the high tariffs on Vietnam. However, he believes Nintendo will try hard to avoid raising prices. "I believe the volatility from the Trump tariffs was already considered in the Switch 2's $449.99 pricing," he said. He pointed out that Nintendo has restructured its supply chain to mitigate such risks and historically aims for a launch price around $400, adjusted for inflation. "While I expect Nintendo will strive to maintain the $449.99 price point, the external economic pressures may eventually force a reassessment if the trade landscape deteriorates further," he added.
Piers Harding-Rolls, games researcher at Ampere Analysis, agrees that Nintendo risks consumer backlash if it raises prices further. "The extent of the tariffs and its impact on Vietnamese exports are really bad news for Nintendo," he says. He suggests that Nintendo will likely stick to the announced price until at least 2026 but might adjust if the tariffs persist. "Nintendo will not want to change the price having announced it, but I think everything is on the table now. If the pricing does change, it will impact the brand and the US consumer’s view of the product at launch," he added.
Living in Unhinged Times
Rhys Elliott, games analyst at Alinea Analytics, predicts higher prices on both Nintendo hardware and software due to the tariffs. He also mentioned Nintendo's strategy of offering cheaper digital editions of games in certain markets, suggesting that the company might have intended to do the same in the US but was forced into a 'wait and see' mode due to the tariff situation. "It seems the lower prices in other markets were to nudge Switch 2 buyers to digital," he said.
Elliott also painted a grim picture of the broader impact of the tariffs on the gaming industry, aligning with warnings from the Entertainment Software Association. He believes that the tariffs will lead to a "weaker, poorer nation" with consumers ultimately paying the price. "Some manufacturers – Nintendo included – have been shifting their manufacturing to non-tariff-impacted markets," he said. "And even if companies can afford to switch up their supply chains, who knows which markets will get tariffs next? We are living in…there’s no other word for it...unhinged times driven by an unhinged man (and other forces)."
He criticized the tariffs as detrimental to US consumers and the gaming industry, arguing that they go against core economic principles of comparative advantage. "Policies that lead to higher prices for everyday people amid a cost-of-living crisis are deplorable. They're bad for gamers and the games business," he concluded.
Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery
91 Images
