Featured Image Credit: Nintendo
Many gamers have had their eyes fixed on Nintendo following news that the Switch 2's pre-order date had been delayed, and the price of the upcoming console has finally been revealed amid worries of a tariff-induced increase.
While some concerns surrounding the price of games and silence on major pre-existing issues persisted following the reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2, large parts of the gaming world were desperate to open up their wallets to pre-order the console in the days following the Direct.
Drastically improved hardware, unexpected exclusive titles, and even a new Mario Kart game have hype levels crashing through the roof, but excitement quickly turned into dread when Nintendo announced the unexpected delay of pre-orders in the United States and Canada.
Significant tariffs targeting areas like as Vietnam and Cambodia - where Nintendo manufacture the large majority of their Switch consoles - would theoretically have a significant impact on the price that either the company would have to stomach or the consumer would have to pay.
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Many feared that this would cause the price of the Switch 2 to rise to eye-watering values, and Nintendo's announcement certainly made room for this being a possibility.
However, just over two weeks later Nintendo have finally revealed the date and price that you can now pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2 at, and it has left many fans feeling shocked.
Beginning on April 24 in the United States, fans will now be able to finally pre-order their own Nintendo Switch 2, alongside the surprising reveal that the console itself remains at the price it was initially advertised.
That means that the base model is still $449.99, and the bundle alongside Mario Kart World remains $499.99 - much to the delight of fans across America. Games are also remaining the same price that was initially shown at the Nintendo Direct, although almost every add-on accessory is on the receiving end of a price bump.
Nintendo Switch 2 price in US will not be changed and remain at $449/499.
— Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) April 18, 2025
Pre orders on April 24.
However, Nintendo Switch 2 accessories will experience price adjustments. pic.twitter.com/JPr3MfH2pz
This includes all of the controllers and their accessories, alongside the new camera and any protective additions like cases or screen protectors.
It's certainly great news that the console and games are staying the same price, as this would have been a significant barrier for many gamers who are already feeling the effects of the tariffs in other areas of life, the newly increased accessory prices are hard to stomach.
$84.99 for the Pro Controller and $94.99 for a pair of Joy-Cons is particularly difficult to justify paying for, although if stick drift rears its ugly head again then you might not have a choice.
Additionally, Nintendo might have a tougher job convincing people to pick up the new camera that they've consistently shown off now that it's $54.99, and you'll now need to pay $24.99 if you want a wheel to go alongside your Mario Kart sessions.
Nintendo has indicated that the price increases for accessories are "due to changes in market conditions," which is another way of saying blame the tariffs, but they've also outlined that "other adjustments to the price of any Nintendo product are also possible in the future depending on market conditions," which perhaps sets up future turbulence if Trump strikes again with a wild new economic plan.
"Oof, $5-$10 increases on accessories," reacts one user on the r/NintendoSwitch subreddit, adding in contrast: "Well hey, if that's how they kept the price on the console down I ain't complaining, especially considering they didn't go up too much."
Another added that they "love the pro controller but $85 is crazy work. Not their fault. Stupid tariffs."
One silver lining that many haven't considered though is that many of the existing original Switch peripherals will continue to work on the Switch 2, saving you a bunch on a controller that you might not even need.
