Kinda Funny Games Daily: Video Games News Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Nintendo Delays Switch 2 Pre-Orders Due to Tariffs
Release Date: April 4, 2025
Hosts: Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, Tim Gettys, and Blessing Adeoye Jr.

1. Introduction

In this episode of Kinda Funny Games Daily, the hosts delve into significant developments in the gaming industry, with a primary focus on Nintendo's recent announcement to delay pre-orders for the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 due to new tariffs. Alongside this, they explore various other gaming news, including a review of the Devil May Cry Netflix series and updates on games like Marathon by Bungie.

2. Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Order Delay Due to Tariffs

Details of the Announcement

• News Source: CNBC's Kiff Less Wing reports that Nintendo has postponed the pre-order launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 in the United States, originally scheduled for April 9, 2025. The delay is attributed to President Donald Trump's recent imposition of sweeping new tariffs.

• Impact:

  • Tariff Rates: Vietnam, a primary manufacturing hub for Nintendo Switch consoles, faced a 46% tariff in 2019, and China's tariffs have surged to 54%.
  • Price Implications: The IPC (a trade group focusing on electronics manufacturing) estimates that these tariffs could result in the console's price increasing by up to 50%, potentially pushing the Switch 2's price to around $700-$750 from the initially announced $450.

• Nintendo's Stance: While the pre-order was delayed to assess the situation, the official launch date remains June 5, 2025. Nintendo has not yet disclosed whether the production locations will change or if the price will be adjusted accordingly.

Hosts' Reactions and Discussions

• Shock and Frustration:

  • Blessing Adeoye Jr. ([14:56]): "I can excuse racism... I draw the line at raising the price of the Nintendo Switch, too... What the fuck are we doing?"
  • Tim Gettys ([15:34]): Expresses deep frustration over the situation, highlighting the broader economic and political turmoil affecting the gaming industry.

• Broader Economic Concerns:

  • Blessing ([17:12]): Emphasizes the intertwining of politics and the gaming industry, critiquing the notion of keeping politics out of video games.
  • Greg Miller ([25:14]): Points out that price increases will likely trickle down to other aspects of gaming, affecting game passes, software prices, and overall consumer spending.

• Potential Long-Term Effects:

  • Blessing ([24:01]): Discusses the possibility of this being a pivotal moment that could lead to a decline in console sales and subsequent layoffs within Nintendo.
  • Tim ([28:01]): Predicts a shift towards more scalable, free-to-play games as traditional pricing models become unsustainable.

3. Industry-Wide Implications of Tariffs

The hosts explore how the tariffs affecting Nintendo are not isolated incidents but could have cascading effects across the entire gaming industry. They speculate on potential price hikes for consoles and games from other major players like PlayStation and Xbox, which could lead to reduced consumer spending and a slowdown in game development.

• Blessing ([22:46]): Highlights that Nintendo is merely the first major company to respond, but similar actions are expected from other manufacturers.

• Greg ([25:29]): Discusses how increased tariffs will necessitate higher prices for existing software and future game releases, potentially stifling innovation and accessibility in gaming.

• Barrett Courtney ([21:13]): Argues that anger directed solely at Nintendo ignores the broader economic forces at play, urging listeners to recognize the systemic issues rather than singling out one company.

4. Personal Experiences from the Hosts

Covering the Nintendo Direct Event

• Tim Gettys ([07:33]): Shares his excitement about being among the first to get hands-on experience with the Nintendo Switch 2, highlighting the significance of this opportunity for their coverage.

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. ([08:27]): Reflects on the camaraderie and dedication of the team during their time in New York, expressing pride in their comprehensive coverage and interactions with industry veterans.

• Greg Miller ([05:34] & [05:55]): Injects humor into the conversation with a mock announcement of Tim's "Farewell Tour," amusingly engaging with the hosts about the show's dynamics.

5. Additional Gaming News and Reviews

Devil May Cry Netflix Series Review

• Blessing ([42:51]): Praises the Devil May Cry series on Netflix, rating it a 9 out of 10. Highlights its blend of high-energy action, faithful character development, and nostalgic soundtrack featuring tracks like Crazy Town's "Butterfly."

• Tim ([43:17]): Admits to initially being unsure but warmed up to the series after watching episode six, noting its engaging storytelling and dynamic action sequences.

Bungie's Marathon Teaser

• Blessing ([52:16]): Discusses Bungie's teaser for Marathon, a new PvP-focused extraction shooter set on the planet Tau Ceti. Expresses anticipation for the official reveal, hoping it surpasses previous multiplayer titles like Concord.

• Tim ([53:43]): Shares concerns based on Bungie's past experiences with multiplayer games but remains cautiously optimistic about Marathon's potential impact.

FROM Software's Dust Bloods Game

• News Source: VGC's Jordan Midler reports that Hidetaki Miyazaki of FROM Software has announced Dust Bloods, a multiplayer-focused title exclusive to the Switch 2.

• Miyazaki's Statement: Assures fans that this does not signal a shift away from the company's renowned single-player titles, emphasizing that Dust Bloods is an original concept developed prior to the Switch 2's announcement.

• Hosts' Take:

  • Tim ([58:41]): Expresses excitement about Miyazaki's direction but worries about the multiplayer focus diluting FROM Software's core strengths.
  • Blessing ([60:24]): Critiques the decision to make Dust Bloods a Switch 2 exclusive, questioning its impact on the game's reception and accessibility.

Astrobot Movie Adaptation

• News Source: Game Rant's Rachel Fidus reports that Sony is considering a movie or TV series adaptation of the beloved game Astrobot.

• Tim ([61:35]): Initially skeptical due to past criticisms of the game's design but acknowledges the potential for a well-crafted adaptation.

• Blessing ([62:25]): Criticizes Astrobot as "uninspired and generic" but entertains creative possibilities for its adaptation, such as integrating PlayStation's rich character roster.

6. Audience Engagement: Super Chats

The hosts interact with their audience through Super Chats, addressing various comments and questions:

• Phil Silva ([70:15]): Inquires about the origins of the "Stars in the Bank" madness, indicating merchandise interest with his shirt order.

• Arjun Roy ([74:43]): Questions whether the gaming industry can recover from the impending economic downturn caused by tariffs and rising costs, drawing parallels to historical inflation periods.

• Jake Collado ([72:32]): Asks about potential changes to PlayStation's game pass in response to price backlash, leading to a discussion on the viability of subscription models amidst economic challenges.

• Additional Comments: Listeners express frustrations with inflation, support for the hosts, and share insights on related gaming news like Rivals BP Krakoa trailer and Emma Frost skin video.

7. Conclusion

The episode wraps up with the hosts acknowledging the turbulent state of the gaming industry influenced by political decisions and economic pressures. They express gratitude towards their listeners for support and tease upcoming segments, including an in-depth Gamescast to further discuss their hands-on experiences with the Nintendo Switch 2 and a marathon stream featuring gameplay discussions.

Blessing Adeoye Jr. ([77:05]): "We just got a couple more here... till next time, it's been our pleasure to serve."

Notable Quotes:

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. ([14:54]): "A $700 Nintendo Switch 2? What the fuck are we doing?"

• Tim Gettys ([15:34]): "It's the politics at play in video games and it is not good."

• Greg Miller ([25:14]): "The idea is you've already set the stage... there’s a ripples on this are insane on what we're about to get into."

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. ([17:30]): "It's all connected. A healthy gaming industry means a healthy gaming audience means healthy gaming content creators."

• Tim Gettys ([28:01]): "Shit is going to get bad."

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. ([58:00]): "If it's multiplayer, I am really bummed out."

Key Takeaways:

• Economic Turmoil Impacting Gaming: Nintendo's delay of Switch 2 pre-orders due to tariffs underscores the broader economic and political challenges facing the gaming industry.

• Potential Price Increases: Tariffs are likely to result in significant price hikes for consoles and games, potentially limiting consumer access and affecting sales.

• Shift in Gaming Models: The industry may see a move towards more scalable, free-to-play models as traditional pricing becomes unsustainable.

• Adaptations and New Releases: While new adaptations like the Devil May Cry series and potential Astrobot movie present opportunities, there are concerns about staying true to original game designs amidst these changes.

• Community Engagement: The hosts emphasize the importance of listener support and community discussions in navigating these industry shifts.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the critical discussions, insights, and reactions shared during the episode, providing a clear understanding for those who haven't listened to the podcast.