Nintendo seeks payout over 'illegal' Trump tariffs, gamers sue over price hikes

Nintendo is pursuing a substantial financial recovery from the US government, stemming from tariffs enacted under the Trump administration that the company deems "illegal." These tariffs, introduced in 2025 as part of a new economic strategy, imposed a 20 percent rate on many imports from countries like Vietnam, where a significant portion of Nintendo's Switch consoles are assembled.

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got exactly what they bargained and paid for

The impact on consumers was immediate, with the price of a Nintendo Switch increasing by approximately $US40 virtually overnight. The Nintendo Switch OLED Model saw a $US50 price hike. The company argues in a new lawsuit that its customers "got exactly what they bargained and paid for," suggesting the price increases were a direct consequence of the tariffs.

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sweeping and constantly changing

However, a February ruling by the US's highest court declared the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on foreign imports to be illegal. This decision followed lawsuits from businesses and several US states. Nintendo subsequently filed its own lawsuit in March, demanding refunds with interest for the tariffs it paid, though the total amount remains undisclosed.

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would not have paid those higher prices

Meanwhile, American consumers have also taken legal action. A class-action lawsuit filed in April alleges that customers paid higher prices for Nintendo products due to the tariffs and seeks to reclaim these "tariff overcharges" for millions of affected consumers. Nintendo, however, is fighting back, arguing in a recent court filing that the price increases were "modest and selective" and that customers are "not entitled" to a rebate.

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modest and selective