90-day tariff pause could change Nintendo’s price and pre-order plans

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Donald Trump, the U.S. President, has declared a temporary halt on the previously suggested tariffs, which could significantly affect not just the global economy, but also Nintendo’s plans for the Switch 2. If pre-orders in both the U.S. and Canada had not been delayed within the past week, they would be available now. Some speculate that Nintendo may have intended to potentially raise the base price of the Switch 2 due to tariffs, but now, there’s a chance for them to reconsider this decision.

90-day tariff pause could be Nintendo’s opportunity for damage control

As a passionate gamer, I’ve got some news that might impact my Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order. Last week, tariffs on countries where Nintendo manufactures its consoles and games, like Vietnam, skyrocketed by over 40%. However, the U.S. President announced yesterday, via his social media platform Truth Social and the Associated Press, that these high tariffs would be put on hold, but a 10% tariff will still apply across the board for now. This has led to some delays in U.S. pre-orders, yet I’m relieved to hear that Nintendo is still aiming for the launch of the Switch 2 on June 5th, 2025 – yes, you read it right! Despite the hiccups, this upcoming release date falls within the 90-day window since it’s over two years away. Let’s hope everything goes smoothly and we can get our hands on the Switch 2 soon!

While it’s important not to be overly optimistic, this 90-day pause isn’t a complete reversal of U.S tariffs on Nintendo products. Instead, it offers an opportunity for Nintendo to promote pre-orders and sales during this period, potentially boosting their revenue. However, the tariffs are still expected to be reinstated at some point in the future. This means that Nintendo might need to adjust their pricing based on these planned future tariffs, unless the tariffs are eliminated entirely.

Over the past week, Nintendo has encountered significant criticism over its pricing strategies. While some fans find the $450 base price for the console on the higher side, they don’t consider it excessively high. However, it seems that the decision to set Mario Kart World at a record-breaking $80 price point has sparked outrage among the fanbase. Additionally, Nintendo is charging for game upgrades, accessories like controllers and cameras, online subscriptions, which collectively make the new console expensive and unaffordable for many gamers.

In essence, this situation might serve as a chance for Nintendo to lessen any negative impact on its image among American fans. At present, Nintendo has remained silent regarding the tariff suspension or providing updates about pre-order delays in both the U.S. and Canada. For now, we can only speculate how they will react to this situation.

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2025-04-09 22:02