Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-orders Delayed Amid Tariff Uncertainty

The week has been a whirlwind for U.S. gamers. The Nintendo Switch 2 was unveiled in all its splendor, complete with exciting games, but the $450 price tag and $80 cost for Mario Kart Tour sparked widespread disappointment. The mood shifted again when Nintendo announced a pause on pre-orders to evaluate the impact of the Trump Administration’s unexpected, far-reaching tariffs on global trade.

We’ve previously explored why the Nintendo Switch 2 carries a high initial price and how the gaming industry’s trade group anticipates these tariffs will affect the broader market. The pressing question now is: what will Nintendo do next? When pre-orders begin, could the Switch 2’s price climb even higher?

Typically, when questions arise about the gaming industry’s future, I consult a panel of seasoned analysts. While they can’t foresee the future with certainty, they usually offer a well-informed consensus grounded in data. I’ve done this twice already this week.

Yet, for the first time, every analyst I spoke with was at a loss. Some speculated on whether Nintendo might raise prices or hold steady, but all emphasized the unpredictability of the moment. The situation is unprecedented, unfolding rapidly, and no one can confidently predict Nintendo’s, the administration’s, or anyone’s next move in the coming days, weeks, or months.

With that striking caveat, here’s what the analysts shared:

Soaring Costs for Switch 2

With analysts offering their best-educated guesses, opinions were split. Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of Kantan Games, leaned toward a price increase. Initially, he thought Nintendo might stick to its announced pricing, but the pre-order delay changed his perspective, suggesting the company has little choice.

“Predicting this is tough, but Nintendo will likely run calculations over a few days and then reveal price hikes—not just for the console but also for games and accessories,” Toto said. “I hope I’m mistaken, but these steep tariffs leave little room. Would a $500 base model surprise you? It wouldn’t surprise me.

“It’s baffling that Nintendo didn’t wait for clarity on U.S. tariffs before setting prices during a Direct. That decision seems illogical.”

Mat Piscatella, senior analyst at Circana, echoed the uncertainty, noting the tariffs’ scope caught everyone off guard. He believes game prices, including Nintendo’s, are likely to rise, though the extent remains unclear. “From my discussions, the tariffs’ scale shocked not just consumers but the industry,” he said.

Piscatella noted that Nintendo likely based its original pricing on expected tariff levels. When Wednesday’s actual tariffs exceeded those expectations, it threw plans into disarray.

“Any business reliant on global supply chains is now reassessing U.S. pricing. It’s unavoidable.

“Some regions globally have long faced higher game prices. The U.S. may soon join them due to these tariffs. The chaotic rollout of these policies has left many scrambling to adapt.”

Every reasonable and responsible business that relies on international supply chains will be reevaluating its US consumer pricing.

Manu Rosier, director of market analysis at Newzoo, also foresees hardware price increases, though he believes software may be less affected.

“Physical games might face tariffs, but the rise of cost-effective digital distribution should mitigate broader impacts,” he said.

“For hardware, the situation is trickier. A significant tariff, like 20%, would likely force companies like Nintendo to pass costs to consumers rather than absorb them by cutting margins.”

Resisting Price Hikes

On the other side, with heavy disclaimers about the unpredictability, Joost van Dreunen, NYU Stern professor and author of SuperJoost Playlist, believes Nintendo will strive to avoid raising prices. He argues the $449.99 price likely factored in tariff risks.

“Nintendo probably accounted for tariff volatility in the Switch 2’s pricing,” he said. “Since the first Trump administration, Nintendo and others have restructured supply chains to reduce geopolitical risks. Historically, Nintendo targets a $400 launch price, adjusted for inflation, so the current price likely anticipates trade challenges.

“Still, the erratic nature of these tariff decisions, like those affecting Vietnam, adds significant uncertainty. Nintendo will likely try to absorb or offset extra costs, especially with tighter launch margins. While I expect them to hold the $449.99 price, worsening trade conditions could force a rethink.”

Nintendo will not want to change the price having announced it, but I think everything is on the table now.

Piers Harding-Rolls, games researcher at Ampere Analysis, concurs, warning that raising prices risks consumer backlash.

“The tariffs’ impact on Vietnamese exports is tough for Nintendo,” he said. “Having announced the launch price, they’re in a bind. I initially thought pricing would hold until at least 2026, but this pre-order delay buys time to seek solutions. It’s a fluid situation. Nintendo will resist price changes to avoid damaging its brand and U.S. consumer perception at launch. Loyal fans may not balk, but casual buyers might wait, especially during the first holiday season.”

Navigating Unprecedented Chaos

Rhys Elliott, games analyst at Alinea Analytics, sided with those predicting higher prices for both hardware and software due to the tariffs. He referenced his earlier comments on Nintendo’s strategy of offering cheaper digital editions in some markets to push digital sales. “Nintendo may have planned a similar approach in the U.S., but the tariff chaos forced a wait-and-see stance to assess cost offsets,” he said.

Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery

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Elliott painted a stark picture of the tariffs’ broader impact on the gaming industry, aligning with warnings from an Entertainment Software Association spokesperson. He believes consumers will bear the brunt, leading to a “weaker economy.” Here’s his full take:

“Some manufacturers, including Nintendo, have shifted production to non-tariffed markets,” Elliott said. “But with tariffs potentially spreading, as recent news suggests, relocating entire supply chains to the U.S. is logistically unfeasible. Under current law, such a move would outlast the current administration’s term. We’re in chaotic times driven by unpredictable forces.

We are living in…there’s no other word for it...unhinged times driven by an unhinged man (and other forces).

“These severe tariffs hurt U.S. consumers amid a cost-of-living crisis and harm gamers and the industry. They’re framed as boosting the economy, but data consistently shows tariffs damage economic well-being. Comparative advantage—where countries produce what they’re best at and trade for the rest—is a cornerstone of trade theory. This trade war defies that principle.”