How Do Trump’s Tariffs Affect the Launch of the Nintendo Switch 2? – NPR


Attendees at a New York City event previewing the Nintendo Switch 2.

Attendees at a New York City event unveiling the Nintendo Switch 2.

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Consumers in the U.S. might find themselves paying more than the anticipated price of $449 for the Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo announced on Friday that preorders for the eagerly awaited console have been postponed due to new global tariffs imposed by President Trump:

“Pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will begin on April 9, 2025, to evaluate the potential impact of tariffs and changing market dynamics. An update on the timing will be provided later. The launch date of June 5, 2025, remains unchanged.”

We had a conversation with Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser regarding the new console and the challenges it may encounter.

Many Nintendo enthusiasts believed the Nintendo Switch’s price of $449 incorporated global tariffs. After recent announcements from President Trump, is it possible that this figure might rise in the U.S.?

What I can confirm is the $449 for the standard SKU, and the $499 for the hardware SKU that includes Mario Kart World. These prices were established based on earlier tariffs, which had no impact on those figures. Regarding pricing, much like other companies in the U.S. today, we are currently evaluating what the potential implications might be, but we don’t have any further updates as of now.


Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser (yes, he does indeed share a name with Mario's nemesis!).

Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser (yes, he does indeed share a name with Mario’s nemesis!).

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What do you anticipate the 24% additional tariffs on Japanese exports will have on your business moving forward, not only for the Switch but for all Nintendo America products?

As previously stated, we will continuously evaluate the potential impact of those tariffs. Conditions may fluctuate, so we’re closely monitoring and attempting to understand any possible ramifications and what measures we might need to undertake.

There’s considerable concern about inventory. Scalping bots are very effective. What strategies can Nintendo of America implement with its retailers to ensure every family that wants a Nintendo Switch 2 on launch day can obtain one?

Our priority is to fulfill the existing demand. We believe we have an exciting device with the Nintendo Switch 2 and an array of games from both Nintendo and our publishing partners that consumers will eagerly want to explore. We have successfully built up our inventories over recent months and feel well-prepared as we head towards the launch period. In terms of challenges like bot scalping, we are actively collaborating with our retail partners. They possess programs designed to hinder much of this activity, and we rely on these as they sell our products. Additionally, we have a distinctive program on Nintendo.com that engages active users and individuals with established Nintendo accounts to offer products to them first.


King Rauru and Princess Zelda in upcoming Nintendo game Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment.

King Rauru and Princess Zelda in the upcoming Nintendo game Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment.

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Why did you choose June 5 as the release date?

We believe that timing is fluid and doesn’t adhere to fixed schedules and that there is ample opportunity to launch video games throughout the year. As we assessed the games ready for release alongside the hardware, we determined June was a propitious time, coinciding with the beginning of the summer season. Additionally, with the Nintendo Switch 2, users can enjoy gaming at home or take it on the go, making it ideal for summer travel.

The original Switch truly popularized what we now recognize as handheld gaming. With the Switch 2 Joy-Con’s mouse capabilities, it begins to embrace games typically designed for PCs. Does the intention to unify such a wide catalog similar to that of Steam for its PC games exist with the Switch 2?

We aspire to ensure that we cater to as extensive a range of players as possible. Our goal is to offer appealing content for all types of players—be they families, individuals, or more mature audiences. We aim to be the destination for that diverse content. With hardware like the Nintendo Switch 2 and its reimagination of the Joy-Con controller along with mouse capabilities, we believe we can broaden our catalog and attract more developers who are creating mouse-controlled games.


An enigmatic character from the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, The Duskbloods by From Software.

An enigmatic character from the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, The Duskbloods by From Software.

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What are your plans for chip shortages as we navigate a new global trading landscape? How will you ensure you maintain supply, especially when much of these components are sourced internationally?

I’m unable to provide specific details about our manufacturing processes and materials sourcing. However, I can share that we have dedicated significant time discussing with our suppliers to secure a long-term strategy and ensure we have a robust pipeline of materials to meet the high demand we anticipate.

Is Nintendo of America contemplating collaboration with its parent company to potentially bring manufacturing to the U.S.?

We consistently evaluate where manufacturing should occur based on our volume needs and other economic considerations. Presently, our manufacturing is primarily situated in Southeast Asia, but we’re always exploring alternatives to ensure we have a seamless supply chain overall.