Doug Bowser’s April 2025 remark that Nintendo was “actively assessing” tariff effects was an assessment, not a promise to raise or hold the Switch 2’s price. In May 2025, Nintendo said tariffs did not change its 15 million-unit hardware sales forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2026. A year later, price increases were reported for Japan and the United States—but Nintendo’s stated rationale was broader market conditions and its global business outlook, not tariffs alone.
What Doug Bowser said about tariffs and Switch 2
In an interview published by The Verge on April 7, 2025, Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser was reported as saying the company was “actively assessing what the impact may be.” The remark concerned the potential effect of tariffs. It described an ongoing assessment; it did not announce a specific price change, guarantee that launch pricing would remain unchanged, or say that Nintendo had decided to delay the console.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Nintendo Switch 2 System | $499.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Nintendo Switch 2 System with Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 Bundle | $568.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle with Bonus HDMI Cable & Screen Cleaning Cloth | $619.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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The wording is reported from the interview rather than presented here as a verified extended quotation. The relevant distinction is between considering a possible cost or business impact and announcing a retail-price decision.
What Nintendo’s May 2025 forecast did—and did not—say
In its May 8, 2025 financial results, Nintendo said its forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2026 assumed U.S. tariff rates effective April 10, 2025, Eastern Time, would remain in place throughout that fiscal year. Nintendo also cautioned that changes to tariff rates could affect its financial forecast. This was an assumption used for financial planning, not a statement that tariffs would remain unchanged or a commitment about the Switch 2’s retail price. Nintendo’s May 2025 financial results
#1 Best Overall
- The next evolution of Nintendo Switch
- One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
- Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
- Dock that supports 4K when connected to a compatible TV*
- GameChat** lets you voice chat, share your game screen, and connect via video chat as you play
In its investor Q&A the same day, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa said the tariff situation did not affect the company’s forecast of 15 million Switch 2 hardware units for the fiscal year ending March 2026. Nintendo described that volume as matching the original Switch’s launch-period hardware volume. Furukawa also acknowledged that the Switch 2’s relatively high price could make early adoption more challenging. The unit forecast was a sales-volume estimate, not a retail-price guarantee. Nintendo’s May 2025 investor Q&A
What happened to Switch 2 prices in 2026
Price developments reported in 2026 came after Bowser’s 2025 comment and should not be treated as information Nintendo had announced at the time. The Associated Press reported that Nintendo’s stated explanation referred to changing market conditions and consideration of its global business outlook. The AP also placed tariffs among broader cost pressures, which does not establish that tariffs alone caused the increases. Associated Press report on Nintendo’s 2026 price changes
Rank #2
- The next evolution of the Nintendo Switch system
- One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
- Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
- Supports up to 4K resolution** when using a compatible game and TV connected via the included Nintendo Switch 2 dock
- Nintendo Switch 2 plays compatible physical and digital Nintendo Switch games.***
| Market | Reported price change | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | 49,980 yen to 59,980 yen | Effective May 25, 2026 |
| United States | $449.99 to $499.99 | Planned for September 2026 |
These are regional developments with different timing: the Japan increase was reported as effective, while the U.S. increase was planned for September 2026. Retail prices and plans can change, so check Nintendo’s current regional pricing before making a purchase decision.
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Did tariffs delay Switch 2 preorders or change the launch price?
Bowser’s reported assessment does not itself say that tariffs delayed preorders or changed the launch price. Nintendo’s May 2025 materials explain that it incorporated an April 10 tariff-rate assumption into its fiscal-year financial forecast, while Furukawa said tariffs did not alter the 15 million-unit hardware forecast. Those statements address financial assumptions and expected unit sales; neither is a retail-price commitment. Nintendo’s official U.S. pricing update in August 2025 covered Switch-family products and certain Nintendo products, including some Switch 2 accessories, and should not be mistaken for evidence of a Switch 2 console price change that month. Nintendo’s August 2025 U.S. pricing update
Quick Recap
Rank #3
- 【Ultimate Nintendo Switch 2 Bundle – Ready to Play】Includes the complete Nintendo Switch 2 console and a full-game download of Mario Kart World, so you can start racing right out of the box. Perfect for gamers of all ages and playstyles.
- 【Next-Gen Hybrid Gaming with Stunning Visuals】Experience a vivid 7.9‑inch 1080p LCD touchscreen with HDR support, and enjoy 4K TV output at up to 60 fps when docked — for immersive gameplay at home or on the go.
- 【Versatile 3 Play Modes】Seamlessly switch between Handheld, Tabletop, and TV modes — all featuring intuitive controls and smooth performance, wherever you choose to play.
- 【Enhanced Social Gaming with GameChat & Multiplayer】Connect with friends locally, enjoy online multiplayer with up to 24 players, and use voice chat via GameChat (internet connection and Nintendo Switch Online membership required after trial period).
- 【Powerful Storage & Joy‑Con 2 Controllers】Includes 256 GB internal storage (expandable with microSD), magnetic Joy‑Con 2 controllers, docking station, HDMI cable, AC adapter, grip, and straps — everything you need for the ultimate gaming setup.
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