Enthusiasts at an exclusive New York City event express mixed feelings towards the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, despite initial excitement, due to looming tariff concerns.

A storm brews over the Nintendo Switch 2's debut, leaving gamers excited yet footing the bill with concern.

Last week, Nintendo parted the curtains, unveiling the Switch 2 to a crowd of eager fans huddled in an airy event space in Manhattan. With the hype skyrocketing, there was an unwelcome cloud on the horizon – the price tag.

Many attendees, like Kade from Staten Island, reveled in the console itself but expressed anxious whispers about the hefty $80 price tag for games, with some fearing that the trend will set a new norm for the Switch 2's pricier gaming library. "It's kind of a bit much," Kade admitted when discussing the cost, adding to a chorus of internet voices that echoed concerns about the cash outlay.

The $450 starting price of the Switch 2 serves as the highest sticker price ever for a Nintendo console, dashing the dreams of frugal gamers who might have hoped for a more affordable upgrade. At launch, the original Switch came in at a lower $300.

Tariffs cast doubts on Switch 2's cost

On the day of the preview event, Taiwan announced that it would delay pre-orders in the US in response to President Trump's proposed tariffs on foreign-made goods. While some attendees may not have known the implications, the potential tariff hike added to the looming question mark about the Switch 2's price.

A surprisingly swift turn of events occurred when Trump announced a 90-day pause on the tariff plan on Wednesday, excluding goods produced in China. The Swtich 2 is manufactured in China and Vietnam; thus, the tariff dilemma complicated matters further.

The console remains planned for launch on June 5, but pre-orders designed for US customers initially scheduled for Wednesday have been delayed indefinitely. UK pre-orders, however, are still available as of now. "Eligible Nintendo Account holders will receive an email when it's time to purchase," states Nintendo's website.

Ambivalent Anticipation for Pricey Games

The unfolding pricing situation cast a pall over an otherwise electrifying event, where fans flitted through red and white halls adorned with demo stations. Attendees were treated to hands-on previews of the Switch 2 and upcoming games, which included Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bonanza, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and an array of third-party titles such as Hades 2 and Split Fiction.

As thrilling as these games are, some fans fear the potential for excessive pricing, including a new standard $80 price tag for Switch 2 games, which could lead to even higher prices for anticipated heavy-hitters like the next 3D Mario game.

Nintendo has recently attempted to assuage these concerns, but the level of frustration regarding Switch 2 pricing appears to have taken the company by surprise. Initially, fans had anticipated the high price to be due to tariffs, but it seems that's not the case.

Bowser: "We figured that would be the appropriate pricing."

Doug Bowser, President of Nintendo of America, referred to Bowser in an interview with CNBC, explained in an interview that Nintendo had not considered tariffs in their pricing equation. Speaking of the price point, he stated, "We felt that would be the right price point for our consumers and the right value proposition, if you will, for the device we're creating."

Bowser emphasized Mario Kart World in his defense of the Switch 2's pricing and its game prices, pointing to the device's substantial upgrades in hardware.

However, even if fans are willing to overlook the hefty price of the Switch 2, the pricing of the games could have far-reaching consequences.

When asked about his concerns, Jordan, a Nintendo fan from Queens, nodded firmly, saying, "Absolutely, because, I mean, I'm from New York, right? So, everything's expensive here. It's even worse because if Nintendo is doing this, other game companies can follow, which is also the other problem."

Still, the excitement surrounding the launch may not entirely dissipate the taint of higher pricing. "I saw the prices, but we can get through that," Jordan mused. It remains to be seen how the situation will play out, especially with pre-orders stalled until further notice. Many fans might wait for sales or price drops before diving back in for the Switch 2, despite their longing for the new console.

History repeats itself

This wouldn't be the first time that customers held off on purchasing premium-priced consoles like the Xbox Series X, which did not start outselling the more budget-friendly Xbox Series S until October 2024, nearly four years after both consoles' release dates. The same pattern might unfold with the Switch, with fans holding off on buying the Switch 2 until the tariff situation resolves and downward pressure on prices mounts.

While our initial impressions and the reactions of fans suggest that the Switch 2 is dominated by excitement, the looming question is whether the excitement can outweigh the burden of higher costs.

Jordan's spoke for many when he admitted, "We can get through that."

Enthusiasts at an exclusive New York City event express mixed feelings towards the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, despite initial excitement, due to looming tariff concerns.