We are now just over 6 weeks out from the official Nintendo Switch 2 Direct – a showcase where we expect to see a full blow out of the console’s feature set, some launch game information, pre-order details, and, perhaps most importantly, the price. The question is whether or not those Trump tariffs are going to take a toll on Nintendo’s stateside bottom line come launch day or not. However, in a recent press conference Nintendo boss Shuntaro Furukawa did have something to say about the matter.
Excitement surrounding Nintendo’s upcoming hardware has been running rampant since the official reveal last month. Since then, newly surfaced patents have all but confirmed some of the details regarding the Joy-Con functionality (mouse mode, magnetics, reversible attachment, and so on) while industry insider speculation and typically-reliable leakers have made some bold claims regarding the machine’s price and upcoming launch titles.
But perhaps most interesting of all, or at least the aspect most gadgetnewsonline readers seem to be interested in beyond the games, is the price. Early speculation has the console landing at between $450 and $500, and perhaps with a Mario Kart 9 bundle option. Since those numbers first started floating around, an early run of the machine apparently hit the black market at $40,000 (that’s whole other kind of tariff) and a Costco employee in Canada may or may not have leaked a price that could be closer to $400 or $450.
All of that is (mostly) good and well – I think most folks assumed the machine would be at least $400, and more likely $450. But none of that takes into consideration the current political climate (newly elected President) in the US – new tariffs are coming, are already here in some cases, and it’s hard to say how much they are going to effect the gaming world.
Reports have already surfaced with game industry analysts suggesting proposed tariffs on Mexico could significantly limit the number of physical disc games that can make their way north of the border (Mexico is responsible for a significant share of disc production) – this in turn might increase pricing on digital titles. But I think it’s the proposed tariffs elsewhere in the world that could directly hinder console manufacturing and the components required for it most folks are concerned with.
As translated by the folks at Nintendo Everything, Nintendo has a president of its own and Shuntaro Furukawa did have something to say regarding the potential US tariffs on China and elsewhere could come into play with the launch of Switch 2.
Firstly, Furukawa seemed to want to reassure gamers that Nintendo Switch is “not only manufactured in China, but in places such as Vietnam and Cambodia as well. We are predicting various geopolitical risks and establishing ways to respond.”
But is the response a higher price tag? Is Nintendo just going to up the price of the console in other regions to keep US gamers happy, sort of like Sony did with PlayStation 5?
Furukawa went on to say the following:
While we anticipate a certain impact, the influence on this year’s financial results is expected to be minimal. We will continue to observe the trends, and thoroughly consider how to respond.
Okay this is about as reassuring as it is worrisome, but clearly Nintendo is looking to circumvent the potential follies that could arise from launching Switch 2 at anything much higher than the rumors that have been floating around. Nintendo couldn’t possibly expect gamers to pay PS5 prices for a new Switch could they? Well, I for one think Nintendo has the IP to warrant that, but the gaming world is far to accustom to Nintendo undercutting the other two guys for that to go over all too well.
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