- Industrial analysts have responded to the decision to delay the Nintendo Switch 2 pre -orders
- Some predict an increased Nintendo Switch 2 price in the US as a result of tariffs
- Others believe that Nintendo will try to stick to what announced $ 429.99 / £ 395.99 Price
We now know that Nintendo Switch 2 pre -orders will not begin on April 9 as planned, with the company citing “the potential impact of customs and developing market conditions” in a statement delivered to Techradar Gaming.
This unprecedented move is following a hard week for Nintendo players, with many still rolling from the message of a $ 429.99 / £ 395.99 Detail price for Nintendo -Switch 2. Paired with a slate of launch games that cost up to $ 79.99 / £ 74.99 $ 79.99 / £ 74.99 EVERY
Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the US Trade Association for Video Games and Several Industry Analysts has already predicted that the introduction of these sweeping tariffs can affect hardware and software prices, but Nintendo’s response is currently in the air.
“It’s very difficult to predict but Nintendo is likely to take a few days to run simulations and then advertise [price] Hiking, ”explained Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of video game consultant Consultant Company Cantan Games, who spoke to IGN.
“I hope I’m wrong, but if sustained these soaring tariffs leave them no choice,” he added. He continued to say he would not be surprised if the base model for the Nintendo Switch 2 hit the $ 500 brand and questioned why Nintendo chose to advertise a price given such uncertain market conditions.
Mat Piscatella, CEO of Games at Market Research Firm Circana, provided a potential explanation for this. He argued that “the breadth and depth of the tariffs surprised everyone, not just consumers” and that the announcements were probably significantly higher than Nintendo expected.
“Some territories and regions globally have historically been subject to higher prices than other parts of the world when it comes to video games,” he said. “The United States could certainly join this group because of these tariffs.”
Not everyone shares the same view that the price rises on the cards. Researcher of the gaming industry Joost van Dreunen felt that the Nintendo Switch 2 prize would already be calculated with volatile tariffs in mind.
“Historically, Nintendo has aimed at a launch price around the $ 400 mark, adjusted for inflation, suggesting that the current award is already reflecting an expectation of potential financial challenges,” he continued.
Although he acknowledged that the situation is “unpredictable”, he expects “Nintendo will strive to maintain price points of $ 449.99 until financial pressure makes it impossible to do so.
This mood was repeated by Piers Harding-Rolls, head of gaming research at the Market Surveying Company Ampere analysis, which highlighted the risk of consumers’ setbacks in the light of potential price increases.
“I have already suggested that the pricing would remain as announced until 2026 at the earliest, but then can be adjusted if the tariffs remain in place,” he explained. “This delay with pre -orders is to give the company more time, and it hopes that there is some kind of solution over the next few weeks.”
“If pricing changes, it will affect the brand and the US consumer’s view of the product at the launch. I don’t think it will postpone loyal fans, but it may postpone wider consumers who will take a ‘wait and see’ approach. It is especially important in its first holiday season.”
Should you stiffen for a $ 500+ Nintendo Switch 2?
Personally, I am shocked that Nintendo committed to a retail price so early in the United States.
In the structure of the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, I was convinced that there would be no mention of the US version of the power at all, with more information to follow much closer to the release date.
While not mentioning the price of the current itself, it was subsequently confirmed on the Nintendo website – which suggests to me it was fine -tuned and adjusted until the last minute.
We know that Nintendo was already moving its production chain from China to Vietnam and Cambodia in an attempt to avoid customs, although the two regions will apparently be subject to 46% and 49% duty respectively.
The latter figure is the highest among all countries, which is undoubtedly a nightmare situation for Nintendo. I am sure that a certain level of tariffs was incorporated into the recommended retail price, probably 10-15%, which many economists predicted, so I do not see how it will be possible to maintain that price point in light of this.
The decision to delay pre-orders indicates for me that Nintendo is taking the Nintendo Switch 2 award back to the drawing board. While the company is likely to hope for a decision before launching on June 5, if the tariffs are held in place, I would not be surprised by the least if the Nintendo Switch 2 hits the shelves somewhere between $ 500-600.
