Nintendo Switch 2 and RetroTink Devices Face Delays Amid New US Tariffs on Electronics

The gaming industry is facing significant disruptions as new US tariffs impact the production and distribution of the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 console and renowned retro gaming hardware such as the RetroTink upscalers.

Announced as part of a wave of reciprocal tariffs by United States President Donald Trump, these measures have triggered complications throughout the consumer electronics sector, affecting both mainstream and niche gaming products. The tariffs target countries vital to the global technology supply chain—including China, Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam—which are responsible for manufacturing many of the essential components and finished devices in the gaming industry.

As a result, companies reliant on these suppliers have begun experiencing delays in pre-orders and uncertainty regarding future releases.

Notably, Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2, the successor to the popular Nintendo Switch system, now faces potential market setbacks in the United States as a direct outcome of these trade policies. Mike Chi, creator of the RetroTink range of video upscalers celebrated for their performance in the retro gaming community, has drawn attention to the widespread implications of the new tariff schedule.

In a recent public statement, Chi explained, "The updated tariffs present major challenges for our operation.

In the short term, we're moving forward by covering the additional duties for our US customers, but this could make our 2X devices unsustainable in the long run and might delay our dongle product launch.

The increases in shipping cost and duration are also concerning, especially as logistics systems adapt to these new requirements.

Unfortunately, manufacturing within the United States itself is not a short- or medium-term solution, given current infrastructure." When asked about relocating production to the United States, Chi pointed out the reality of global electronics manufacturing: "Roughly 80-90% of our components—especially microchips—come from Taiwan, Korea, and China.

Since the US no longer produces these vital parts, simply moving assembly here doesn't resolve the supply issue.

Unless the US rebuilds this capability, which could take a decade, domestic manufacturing for specialized devices like RetroTink is not practical." This assessment is corroborated by Voultar, known for his work on products such as the Wii U Nand-Aid and SNES Edge Enhancer.

Voultar remarked, "I agree completely.

The US lacks the competitive manufacturing infrastructure necessary for smaller businesses that can't afford vastly higher production costs.

It's unlikely we'll see this change for many years.

Additionally, the unique value in my work comes from the intellectual effort, not mass production.

With manufacturing costs climbing, this imbalance poses a serious problem for the broader tech economy." For the gaming industry at large, the consequences of new trade regulations extend beyond flagship products like the Nintendo Switch 2 and affect smaller innovators in hardware and accessories.

As companies navigate shifting trade rules and sourcing challenges, both developers and consumers face an increasingly complex and costly landscape for acquiring the latest gaming hardware and cherished retro technology. As the situation develops, the impact of these tariffs will continue to reverberate across Nintendo's hardware ecosystem, the RetroTink community, and the wider market for video game accessories.

For up-to-date news on Nintendo Switch 2, RetroTink developments, and changes to the eShop or Nintendo Direct announcements, stay tuned to industry-leading coverage.

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