Nintendo has announced that preorders for the Switch 2 are set to resume. Although the consoles will maintain their original pricing, accessory prices are expected to rise due to recent tariff announcements by former President Donald Trump. Preorders will become available starting April 24, with the Switch 2 priced at $450 at launch. Despite the tariff implications, the Mario Kart World Bundle will continue to be offered at $499.99, and games like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza will retain their prices of $79.99 and $69.99, respectively.
Explaining the cause for the delay, Nintendo released a statement expressing regret for the postponement of retail preorders and expressed hope that this move would alleviate some consumer concerns. The company had initially announced the preorder delay following a Switch 2 reveal event in New York City on April 2. At that time, Nintendo paused preorders to evaluate the potential impact of tariffs and changing market conditions. Doug Bowser, Nintendo of America’s president, previously informed Wired that the company was actively assessing the effects of Trump’s tariffs on the production and launch of the Switch 2.
Although the console’s price will remain unchanged, Nintendo has stated that Switch 2 accessories will face price adjustments due to market condition changes. For instance, the Pro controller, initially priced at $79.99, will now be available for $84.99, and the Joy-Con 2 will increase from $89.99 to $94.99. Additionally, the Dock Set’s price will rise from $109.99 to $119.99. The company noted that further pricing adjustments could occur depending on future market conditions.
These tariff changes, which were labeled “Liberation Day” tariffs by Trump, include baseline tariffs of 10 percent for all countries. Moreover, tariffs on Chinese goods were raised to 145 percent, with the possibility of increasing to 245 percent following China’s retaliatory measures. Electronics, however, will be exempt from both the baseline and specific China tariffs. Although Trump has indicated the prospect of additional tariffs on other nations, he announced a 90-day pause for negotiations on April 10.
Industries nationwide have been affected by these tariffs, as market conditions have resulted in financial instability. This turbulence has raised costs and has the potential to foster economic conditions associated with job cuts and layoffs across the gaming sector, from production to consumer gaming experiences.
With the US and China as the leading gaming markets globally, tariffs are likely to impact both regions differently. American players might experience increased prices not only for Nintendo products but also across Sony and Microsoft hardware. Both companies rely heavily on China, which could lead to higher prices for PlayStation and Xbox consoles. Ahmad highlighted Sony’s decision to raise PlayStation 5 prices by 25 percent in regions such as Australia, Europe, and New Zealand as a potential precursor to managing future US price increases by spreading cost increases globally.
Gaming industry analyst Piers Harding-Rolls suggested that even a modest 10 percent tariff could deter players from purchasing consoles and games if their financial situations are constrained. While digital games will not be subject to tariffs, the prices of physical games may rise depending on their production locations. Future tariffs could affect physical game prices, even for countries currently exempt. This shift could drive consumers towards digital-first media, benefiting console platforms whose storefronts are integral to game sales.
The gaming industry, which has faced significant job losses, might see a reversal of its recovery trajectory due to the tariffs, according to Daniel Ahmad of Niko Partners. He remarked that corporate sentiment and investment behaviors could dramatically shift from positive to negative in light of these developments.
