Nintendo issues major update on cost of Switch 2 after Trump's tariffs threatened already 'ridiculous' price

Nintendo has announced the price of its Switch 2 amidst the tariffs being threatened by the US on Japan.

American consumers were hoping to pre-order the gaming console on April 9, ahead of its launch date of June 5, but uncertainty looming over global politics between President Donald Trump and the rest of the world, Nintendo was forced to delay.

Japan, where the gaming company hails from, has been hit by 24 percent levies on exports into the US - although the taxes have been paused for 90 days as the two nations meet to discuss terms.

Before the announcement of the tariffs, the price for the new Nintendo Switch 2 was set at $449.99. Then on top of this, the games were rumored to be at least $70, with Mario Kart World being expected to retail at $79.99.

So if trade talks don't broker some sort of agreement, the gaming market in the US feared that the Switch 2 would set consumers back by at least $560.

Fortunately, Nintendo has now explained what it intends to do.

The company issued the following statement today (April 18): "Retail pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 will begin on April 24, 2025.

"At launch, the price for Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will remain as announced on April 2 at $449.99, and the Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle will remain as announced at $499.99.

"Pricing for both physical and digital versions of Mario Kart World ($79.99) and Donkey Kong Bananza ($69.99) will also remain unchanged at launch."

So there's the good news - the price for the games already announced as well as the Switch itself will not actually be going up in price.

President Donald Trump's administration has placed a 24 percent tax on Japanese goods coming into the US - which would include the Nintendo Switch 2 (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

But... yes, there's a but... there will be price rises elsewhere.

It continued: "However, Nintendo Switch 2 accessories will experience price adjustments from those announced on April 2 due to changes in market conditions. Other adjustments to the price of any Nintendo product are also possible in the future depending on market conditions.

"We apologize for the retail pre-order delay, and hope this reduces some of the uncertainty our customers may be experiencing. We thank our customers for their patience, and we share their excitement to experience Nintendo Switch 2 starting June 5, 2025."

Trump's 90-day tariff pause will come to an end toward the beginning of July, so let's hope a trade deal can be reached between Japan and the US before then for Yoshi's sake... if not the sake of the American people!