It's been a whirlwind week for U.S. gamers, marked by a mix of excitement and confusion. The week kicked off with the much-anticipated full reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2, showcasing its stunning design and impressive game lineup. However, the initial euphoria quickly turned to concern when the price was unveiled at $450 for the console and $80 for Mario Kart Tour. The roller coaster continued as Nintendo announced a delay in pre-orders, citing the need to evaluate the impact of the Trump Administration's sudden and sweeping tariffs affecting numerous countries worldwide.
We've already explored the reasons behind the Nintendo Switch 2's high price tag and the potential broader impact of these tariffs on the gaming industry. Now, the burning question on everyone's mind is, what will Nintendo do next? Will the Nintendo Switch 2's price increase when pre-orders finally open?
Typically, to address questions about the future of video games, I consult a panel of expert industry analysts. Although they can't predict the future with certainty, they usually provide a well-informed consensus based on data and evidence. I've done this twice this week already. However, this time, for the first time in my career, every analyst I spoke with was stumped. Their responses were filled with guesses and heavy caveats, emphasizing the unprecedented chaos of the current situation. No one can confidently predict what Nintendo, the Trump administration, or anyone else will do in the coming days, weeks, or months.
With this disclaimer in mind, here's what the analysts had to say:
Sky-High Switch
The analysts I spoke with offered a range of opinions, with some believing that Nintendo will be forced to 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 will likely run simulations and announce price hikes for the system, games, and accessories. "I hope I am wrong, but if these tariffs persist, Nintendo may have no choice," he stated. "Would you be surprised to see the Switch 2 hit $500 for the base model? I wouldn't."
Toto also questioned Nintendo's timing, wondering why they didn't wait for the U.S. to resolve the tariff issues before announcing pricing.
Mat Piscatella, senior analyst at Circana, also believes that game prices, including those from Nintendo, are likely to rise, though he's uncertain about the specifics. He noted that the tariffs surprised everyone, including Nintendo, which likely had different assumptions when setting the initial price. "Every reasonable and responsible business that relies on international supply chains will be reevaluating its U.S. consumer pricing at this point," he said. Piscatella highlighted that the U.S. might join other regions with historically higher game prices due to these tariffs.
Manu Rosier, director of market analysis at Newzoo, agrees that hardware prices will increase, though he believes software prices might not be affected as severely due to the dominance of digital distribution. "If a substantial tariff were introduced, it's unlikely that companies like Nintendo would absorb the additional cost by cutting into their margins," he explained. "The burden could shift to consumers in the form of higher retail prices."
Holding the Line
On the other hand, some analysts believe Nintendo will do everything in its power to maintain the announced price. Joost van Dreunen, NYU Stern professor and author of SuperJoost Playlist, acknowledges the possibility of a price increase but thinks Nintendo has already factored in geopolitical risks when setting the $449.99 price. "Nintendo, like other manufacturers, has restructured its supply chain to mitigate such risks," he said. "However, the unpredictable nature of these tariff decisions injects significant uncertainty into the market."
Piers Harding-Rolls, games researcher at Ampere Analysis, agrees that Nintendo might try to hold the line on pricing to avoid consumer backlash. He noted that the tariffs on Vietnamese exports are particularly bad news for Nintendo. "The company is now between a rock and a hard place, having already announced the launch price," he said. "This delay in pre-orders is to give the company more time, and it will be hoping for a solution over the next few weeks. If the pricing does change, it will impact the brand and the U.S. consumer's view of the product at launch."
Living in Unhinged Times
Rhys Elliott, games analyst at Alinea Analytics, aligns with the first group, predicting higher prices for both Nintendo hardware and software due to the tariffs. He referenced his previous comments about Nintendo's strategy of offering cheaper digital editions of games in certain markets. "The tariff situation is so chaotic that Nintendo was in 'wait and see' mode," he explained. Elliott painted a grim picture of the broader impact of the tariffs on the gaming industry, echoing concerns from the Entertainment Software Association.
Elliott emphasized the difficulty of shifting manufacturing to non-tariff-impacted markets and the logistical impossibility of moving entire supply chains to the U.S. "We are living in...there's no other word for it...unhinged times driven by an unhinged man (and other forces)," he stated. He criticized the tariffs as harmful to consumers and the economy, arguing that they fly in the face of core economic principles of comparative advantage.
Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery
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