Donald Trump's tariffs are enough to scare away gamers from buying any tech-related stuff, including the Nintendo Switch 2. Aside from fears of pricing and delayed pre-orders in North America, other fans have a new discussion to talk about the new console.
Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser recently said that those players who cannot buy a Switch 2 should stick with their console. The tone-deaf statement didn't really help the customers after all.
Fans Criticize Nintendo Over Expensive Price and Pre-Order Problems
The Nintendo Switch 2 boasts a more muscular price than the original. Although this is a reasonable move to increase its price, some critics think it's too much, Wccftech reports.
While full of improved hardware and promising level-next gameplay, the price tag has raised some eyebrows, particularly in the context of US tariffs, which are now holding up pre-orders throughout North America.
Consumers in Canada and the United States will have to wait longer to get their consoles, generating fear that prices will rise even higher before the system goes on sale officially.
Doug Bowser's Response Fuels the Fire
During a CBC Canada interview, Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser tried to respond to the backlash, but his comments backfired spectacularly. When asked how much the Switch 2 would cost, Bowser implied fans who couldn't get their hands on the new console could just keep playing the old Switch.
"That's why we wanted to make the other Switch platforms available, so people still have an opportunity to come into our gaming universe, be a part of these characters in these worlds, and see value, if you will, in whatever rung of the platform they come in," Bowser said.
To some, this was reminiscent of the infamous 2013 comment by then-Xbox chief Don Mattrick, who instructed upset gamers objecting to the Xbox One's forced online connection to simply purchase an Xbox 360. That was a defining PR blunder for Microsoft, and Nintendo enthusiasts worry about the same tone-deaf strategy.
On the r/gaming subreddit, several fans shared their opinions about Doug's latest comment.
"Bowser being the President of Nintendo America is some WWE-level sh*t," one Reddit user wrote.
"Did he really think copying the quote that killed all hope for the Xbox One was going to go over well?" another Redditor said.
"He came from EA, what do you expect?" another Nintendo fan replied to the main post.
Will Switch 2 Share the Same Destiny as Xbox One?
Despite the backlash, analysts remain positive on Nintendo Switch 2's prospects. Industry observers forecast that the console may grow to become the fastest-selling gaming system of all time, appealing more to core players than the original console.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is still likely to be a commercial hit, banking on the success of popular franchises such as "Pokémon" and "Zelda." However, the launch could have been done more sensitively.
Nintendo must now fix its messaging and keep the momentum going before the console's official launch. To many gamers, the hype remains, along with the anger.
