Nintendo Rushes Switch 2 Units to US Ahead of Tariff Concerns

Nintendo is making some major moves behind the scenes to protect the upcoming Switch 2 launch, and it’s all about staying one step ahead of a looming tariff boss battle.

According to new data from Bloomberg, over 1 million Switch 2 units built in Vietnam were shipped to the U.S. in just January and February 2025.

In January, Nintendo almost rerouted 100% of its Vietnam-made Switch 2 consoles directly to the United States — a sharp pivot from earlier months when only a small slice was sent stateside. The reason? Former President Donald Trump has been vocal about slapping hefty tariffs on imported goods. Naturally, Nintendo isn’t waiting to get caught in that crossfire.

Vietnam currently accounts for about a third of Switch 2 production, while the majority still rolls out of China. But here’s the kicker — the U.S. just rolled out a massive 145% tariff on Chinese goods, while giving countries like Vietnam a temporary pass with a 90-day tariff pause. That’s Nintendo’s window — and they’re not wasting it.

Inventory Now, Launch Later

This three-month grace period gives Nintendo time to stockpile consoles ahead of the big June Switch 2 launch. Customs data from NBD shows that Hosiden Corp, one of Nintendo’s main assembly partners, shipped more Switch 2 units from Vietnam in February alone than it had in the previous six months combined. That’s some serious leveling up in logistics.

Holding the Line at $450

Despite all this tariff turbulence, Nintendo appears to be holding firm on its $450 price point for the Switch 2. Industry analysts say the company can eat the 10% baseline tariff for now without raising prices — but that comfort zone could disappear fast if tariffs spike.

“If the tariffs stay at 10%, Nintendo probably keeps pricing at $450 and just takes the hit on margin,” said Bernstein analyst Robin Zhu to Bloomberg. But if Vietnam loses its temporary break and gets slammed with a 46% tariff, we could be looking at a $50 to $100 price hike.

Sony’s not in the clear either. The PlayStation giant manufactures most of its consoles in China, meaning it’s feeling the tariff heat even more. If the current trade climate continues, expect potential PS5 price hikes in the U.S. down the road.

Investors Hit the Power-Up Button

Nintendo’s aggressive play seems to be paying off, at least on the financial side. After news of the 90-day tariff delay dropped, Nintendo’s shares jumped 12% on the Tokyo stock exchange — a clear sign investors approve of the strategy.

For now, it’s game on for Nintendo. But whether they can dodge the long-term tariff trap and keep the Switch 2 priced competitively — that’s the real endgame.