New Trump Tariffs May Hit Gaming Hardware Hard

If you were concerned about the rising costs of gaming hardware, brace yourself for potential new tariffs that could make things even pricier. Reports suggest that the administration is contemplating a new wave of tariffs on semiconductors and related tech. This proposed duty wouldn’t just hit the chips themselves but also the devices that rely on them, including laptops, servers, and gaming consoles.

This could mean even steeper prices for upcoming systems like the Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Steam Deck, and Xbox Series X.

The aim behind these tariffs is to boost domestic chip production, with one proposal linking tariff relief to investments in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing. However, insiders indicate that the details are still uncertain and could change significantly in the near future.

The tech sector has largely opposed these tariffs, arguing that they are already grappling with a chip shortage essential for building AI data centers. Given that establishing factories capable of producing these semiconductors in the U.S. could take years, the industry believes implementing such broad tariffs on foreign chips is impractical.

If these tariffs go through, video game consoles would face additional duties, effectively taxing companies when they import these devices into the U.S. This added cost would likely be passed on to gamers, resulting in higher console prices. If this scenario feels familiar, it’s because it echoes past events.

After a previous set of tariffs was announced in April 2025, Nintendo raised prices for the original Switch. While the company didn’t explicitly link the price hike to the tariffs, the timing was telling.

When the Supreme Court later deemed those tariffs unconstitutional, the administration had to refund companies, and Nintendo reported that the payout contributed to a significant quarterly profit. Unlike Nintendo, the manufacturer behind the Playdate opted to directly refund customers for the price increases caused by the tariffs.

In addition to these potential tariffs, the tech industry’s push to establish AI data centers has led to a RAM shortage, further inflating console prices. The PS5 now costs $150 more than its launch price, while the Xbox Series X is up by $300. The Nintendo Switch 2 is also set for a $50 price increase this September.

Nintendo stated that consumers received “what they bargained and paid for.”