Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser said in an April 7, 2025 interview that the company was “actively assessing” the potential impact of U.S. tariffs. That was an assessment, not a promise to raise or hold the Switch 2’s price. Nintendo’s May 2025 financial forecast treated tariffs as a planning assumption, and its president said tariffs did not change the company’s 15 million-unit Switch 2 hardware forecast. In 2026, Nintendo announced price increases in Japan and planned one in the United States; its stated rationale, as reported by the Associated Press, was broader market conditions and the global business outlook—not tariffs alone.
What did Doug Bowser say about tariffs and Switch 2?
In an interview published by The Verge on April 7, 2025, Bowser, then Nintendo of America president, said the company was “actively assessing what the impact may be.” The phrase was reported in connection with questions about U.S. tariff announcements and the Switch 2. The Verge interview page was not directly accessible for this account, so the short wording is attributed to the interview report rather than expanded into a longer quotation.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Nintendo Switch 2 System | $499.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Nintendo Switch 2 System with Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 Bundle | $568.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle with Bonus HDMI Cable & Screen Cleaning Cloth | $619.00 | Buy on Amazon |
Bowser’s statement described an ongoing assessment. It did not announce a Switch 2 price change, establish that tariffs would be passed on to customers, or guarantee that the launch price would remain fixed.
How Nintendo accounted for tariffs in its 2025 forecast
In its financial results published May 8, 2025, Nintendo said its fiscal-year forecast assumed the U.S. tariff rates effective April 10, 2025, Eastern Time, would continue through the fiscal year ending March 2026. The company also warned that a change in tariff rates could affect that forecast. This was a financial-planning assumption, not a retail-price commitment.
#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 the same day’s investor Q&A, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa said the tariff situation had not affected the company’s forecast of 15 million Switch 2 hardware units for the fiscal year ending March 2026. Nintendo set that forecast to match the original Switch’s launch-period volume. Furukawa also acknowledged that the Switch 2’s relatively high price presented a challenge to early adoption.
What happened to Switch 2 prices in 2026?
Price developments reported in May 2026 came after Bowser’s 2025 assessment and should be understood as later events, not information available when he made the statement.
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 | Previous price | New price | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 49,980 yen | 59,980 yen | Effective May 25, 2026 |
| United States | $449.99 | $499.99 | Planned for September 2026 |
The Associated Press reported that Nintendo cited changed market conditions and consideration of its global business outlook as the rationale for the increases. The report also placed tariff pressure in the wider cost context, but it does not establish tariffs as the sole cause of either price change. The U.S. increase was reported as planned for September 2026, not as an already effective price on May 8, 2026.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Did Nintendo raise the Switch 2 price in August 2025?
No. Nintendo’s U.S. pricing update for August 3, 2025 covered changes to Switch-family products and certain Nintendo products, including some Switch 2 accessories. It is not evidence that Nintendo raised the price of the Switch 2 console at that time.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →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.
What the timeline means for buyers
- Bowser’s April 2025 comment meant Nintendo was evaluating tariff effects; it was not a price announcement.
- Nintendo’s May 2025 fiscal-year tariff assumption and hardware-unit forecast were separate planning measures. The 15 million-unit forecast was not a promise about a particular retail price.
- The Japan increase and planned U.S. increase were reported in May 2026, with Nintendo’s stated rationale framed around market changes and the global business outlook.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
