Tariffs on Vietnamese imports could push the Nintendo Switch 2’s price up by $50–$100 in the U.S., but analysts say Nintendo might absorb the cost to maintain fan goodwill.
Nintendo’s upcoming console, the Switch 2, may be hit with a price increase in the U.S. market due to newly announced tariffs on imports from Vietnam, where a significant portion of the console is manufactured. Although Nintendo has officially set the Switch 2’s price at $449.99, analysts warn that depending on how tariffs play out, consumers could end up paying $50 to $100 more.
Production of Nintendo Switch consoles has taken place in Vietnam since 2019, and Bloomberg reports that around one-third of all Switch 2 units are assembled there. Last week, the U.S. government announced a steep 46% tariff on Vietnamese imports. This move sparked speculation that Nintendo would have to adjust its pricing to offset the added cost.
However, in a turn of events, the U.S. later announced a temporary 90-day pause on the full tariff rollout, reducing the immediate impact to a 10% levy. Robin Zhu, a Bernstein analyst, believes this smaller tariff will not prompt a price change. “Nintendo probably keeps pricing at $450 and just takes the hit on margin,” Zhu said. But if the full 46% tariffs are reinstated, he expects a price hike of $50 to $100 could follow.
The uncertainty surrounding these tariffs has already led Nintendo to pause pre-orders for the console, which were initially set to go live over the weekend. The company has remained quiet on its long-term pricing plans, perhaps waiting to see how the trade situation unfolds.
Meanwhile, former Nintendo PR managers Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang believe that absorbing the tariff costs could be a smart move for the company in the long run. Ellis said Nintendo can afford to “eat the cost” and that doing so would help repair its public image amid growing concerns over high game and hardware prices. Yang added, “They have lost so much trust already… this would repair some goodwill with their current fan base.”
One of the key concerns fans have voiced revolves around the $80 price tag for Mario Kart World, one of the flagship titles launching alongside the Switch 2. Nintendo has defended this pricing, citing the game’s value and quality. The console will also be offered in a $499.99 bundle that includes Mario Kart World.
Despite the pricing debates, the Nintendo Switch 2 is still slated for release on June 5. It will launch with several titles, including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Editions, as well as a $9.99 Welcome Tour experience designed to introduce new players to the console’s features.
While the situation remains fluid, fans are hoping Nintendo prioritizes customer trust over short-term margins, especially at a time when pricing remains a hot-button issue in the gaming community.
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