Egypt’s gaming landscape is an unexpected casualty in the far-reaching fray of Trump’s tariffs. Just days after the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct (watch, runtime 1:02:23) announcing the console’s (hefty) price point of USD 450, and even more shocking USD 70-80 price tag on Switch 2 games, US President Donald Trump implemented universal tariffs of 10% higher on 180 countries. Vietnam and Cambodia — where Nintendo builds their consoles — have been slapped with 46% and 49% tariffs. According to calculations made by The Verge, once implemented, the Switch 2 could set gamers back USD 630, and games will cost USD 110 per pop.

What does that have to do with Egypt? Unlike markets with official distribution networks and regional online stores, most Egyptian console gamers rely on informal import channels. A significant portion of Switch users in Egypt — and the MENA region in general, save for Saudi Arabia, where Nintendo launched in 2023 — purchase their consoles from the US market, either through travelers bringing devices back, or through businesses that import and resell US goods. And due to the absence of a MENA region Nintendo eShop — even in Saudi Arabia — most Egyptian Switch owners have their digital marketplace set to the US, tying them directly to US pricing structures and availability.

What to expect: The immediate effect of US tariffs on Egyptian gamers will likely manifest in decreased availability (Nintendo has halted all Switch 2 preorders in the US) and increased console prices — with Nintendo potentially raising Switch 2 prices in the US market, Egyptian importers would need to pass these increases to local consumers. This doesn’t include the existing markup and import taxes already applied to the consoles. As of 4Q 2023, spending on consoles and individual games was recorded at EGP 9.5 bn, with the expectation for the industry to rise despite soaring inflation.

How the gaming retail environment could change: Retailers and individual importers may begin seeking alternative supply sources — like Europe or Asia — from regions less affected by US tariffs. Greater price variation between retailers based on their sourcing strategies can create a (relatively) more price-competitive market, and we may see mass migration to physical game cartridges from non-US regions rather than a reliance on the convenience of downloadable games on the Nintendo eShop.

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