Gaming consoles will become more expensive due to tariffs.

Nintendo and Sony gaming consoles could be up to 30% more expensive in the US due to tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.

Nintendo Switch 2 gaming console. Photo: The Verge .

According to Bloomberg Intelligence , major Japanese entertainment companies including Nintendo and Sony may raise the prices of their video game consoles in response to US tariffs.

Estimates suggest that the Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation 5 bundled with Astro Bot could be up to 30% more expensive in the US, equivalent to a price increase of $590 .

Both devices are assembled in China, a country currently subject to a 125% tariff by the US on all imports. Nintendo Switch 2 production is expanding in Vietnam, however.

According to analyst Nathan Naidu, companies that manufacture home video game consoles are the most vulnerable in the video game industry, due to the complexities of hardware manufacturing and physical shipping.

Naidu emphasized that the US market accounts for 29% of Sony's revenue and 37% of Nintendo's sales. American consumers play a driving role in global trends, fueling demand for entertainment products through word-of-mouth.

The 30% price increase for the Nintendo Switch 2 is calculated based on the 80-90% tariffs imposed on goods imported into the US. However, Nintendo may not be in a hurry to raise prices, taking advantage of the 90-day tariff deferral period to increase imports.

Nintendo's partner, Hosiden, has committed to shifting most of its Vietnamese-made shipments to the US since the beginning of the year. Similarly, PC manufacturers also increased imports into the US in the first quarter to cope with tariffs.

The price increase for the Nintendo Switch 2 is based on tariff scenarios. Photo: Bloomberg .

In trading on April 11, Nintendo and Sony shares in Tokyo fell 5.4% and 9.4%, respectively. According to Bloomberg , the uneven price movements reflected uncertainty over tariffs, including questions about the possibility of negotiations and exemption policies.

For Nintendo, the 90-day tariff deferral period is an opportunity for the company to continue importing the Switch 2 from Vietnam. However, the company has yet to announce a pre-order date for the product in the US, which has been postponed indefinitely to assess the impact of the tariffs.

If Sony or Nintendo are forced to raise console prices in the US, Naidu predicts that such a move could put upward pressure on prices globally.

Nintendo's future hinges on the Switch 2 console, which will become the primary platform for popular games and characters. Meanwhile, Sony is expected to struggle to maintain sales of its four-year-old PS5 line.

Among the three major players in the gaming market, Microsoft may have the easiest time as it is less dependent on partners subject to high US tariffs.

Source: https://znews.vn/switch-2-ps5-co-the-dat-hon-vi-thue-quan-post1545109.html