Concerns are brewing in the gaming world about how U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports might bump up the price of the Nintendo Switch 2. However, Nintendo’s President, Shuntaro Furukawa, has reassured fans that the financial hit from these tariffs should be minimal. Fans eager for more details won’t have to wait too long—more information on the Switch 2’s price and release date is set to drop during a Nintendo Direct on April 2.
Recently, Furukawa mentioned that Nintendo is examining the implications of U.S. tariffs on its highly anticipated Switch 2. He highlighted that Nintendo’s manufacturing base isn’t limited to China; they have production facilities in other Asian nations such as Vietnam and Cambodia. This forthcoming console is designed as the successor to the current Switch, boasting backward compatibility with most of its physical and digital games. Upgraded internals are on the horizon for the main console, and word has it that the new Joy-Con controllers might feature a mouse-like function, opening up exciting new possibilities for both games and applications. Further insights are expected during the Nintendo Direct, scheduled for April 2 at 9:00 AM Eastern.
In light of the buzz around potential price hikes due to tariffs on imports from China, Mexico, and Canada, President Furukawa has addressed the situation. According to a report from Reuters, he shared confidence that any financial consequences this year would be small, assuring that Nintendo would continue to monitor and strategize as needed. Current Nintendo Switch systems were largely imported before the tariff talk began, and their production extends beyond just China to other countries like Vietnam and Cambodia.
Looking ahead, Furukawa emphasized that Nintendo is aware of the geopolitical risks tied to these tariffs and has been taking steps in anticipation for a while. While he stayed mum on the exact pricing for Switch 2, there’s chatter among analysts that a $400 starting price is likely. However, tariffs could rapidly shift these expectations. Though no comments were made about how the next fiscal year would factor in the Switch 2 launch, many are quite curious.
With April 2 just on the horizon, all eyes will be on Nintendo’s reveal of the Switch 2’s price and release timing. Only time will tell just how significant an impact these tariffs might have on Nintendo’s profitability in the forthcoming months.
