Nintendo is standing by the pricing of the Switch 2, emphasizing that the increase is attributed to various factors rather than previous tariffs. Doug Bowser, the President of Nintendo America, clarified that the final cost of the console in the United States was not influenced by these tariffs, despite public speculation. As the anticipation for the console grew ahead of its full reveal on April 2, many had expected a price point around $399.

To many’s surprise, the actual price has been set at $449.99 without any game bundle. Some consumers speculated that the recent tariffs imposed by the previous administration might have led to this higher price tag. Nonetheless, Bowser stated that the tariffs were not a significant factor in the pricing decision.

While it’s common for several products to see price increases due to tariffs, such as certain graphics cards, Nintendo insists their reasoning is grounded in the advancements made in the Switch 2’s technology. According to Bowser, the updated system promises enhanced performance and features compared to its predecessor. Notably, the custom chipset from NVIDIA is expected to deliver ten times the performance power of the original Switch, alongside improvements in the screen and Joy-Con design.

These advancements are key components in the $449.99 price. However, recent tariff announcements could still pose a potential threat to future pricing. While past tariffs were not included in the current pricing, Bowser hinted that new tariffs might have an impact on pricing down the line.

This concern is palpable, especially as Nintendo has delayed pre-orders, originally set for April 9, with no new date announced yet. Despite the uncertainty surrounding tariffs, the current price and launch plans remain unchanged for now.