US tariffs hit retro gaming: Anbernic suspends console shipments to US

UStariffs are having tangible effects in consumer tech, with handheld console maker Anbernic announcing it will suspend shipments to the United States.

“Due to changes in US tariff policies, we will be suspending all ordersshipping from China to the United States starting today,” Anbernic’s website said.

Anbernic produces retro handhelds, including several models heavily indebted to the design of classic Nintendo Game Boy models. The consoles are manufactured in China, making them subject to Donald Trump’s newly announced 145 per cent tariff on imported goods.

While some consumer tech categories, such as smartphones and laptops, have been granted a temporary 90-day exemption from the tariffs, game consoles are notably not included.

It’s not game over for US fans of Anbernic’s popular handhelds. The company still operates a US-based warehouse and advises American customers to choose this delivery option when ordering.

“We strongly recommend prioritising products shipped from our US warehouse, which are currently not affected by import duties and can be purchased with confidence,” Anbernic said.

However, this is only a temporary workaround, as the consoles stocked in Anbernic’s US warehouse are still manufactured in China — and therefore still subject to the tariff.

Anbernic distributes its products through other retailers, including Amazon, in the US and the UK. It’s not the only retro handheld maker affected by the tariffs either: just last week, rival brand Retroid announced limited availability of its new RP Classic console for US buyers.

“All shipping agencies will not accept US-bound packages from China, starting 4/25/25. What does this mean? Suppliers are being overwhelmed with "emergency orders" from all businesses. As such, we will not be receiving our orders for the Teal, Kiwi and Berry shells, prior to 4/25/25,” Retroid wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

“This means that US customers will not be able to receive their orders for these colourways.”

One X user asked whether the paused US shipments will be temporary, to which Retroid’s account replied: “We really don’t know.”

Retro handheld makers offer a compelling case study in how tariffs impact consumer tech. Unlike major categories like smartphones and laptops, these devices weren’t granted a 90-day exemption, and, crucially, their development cycles tend to be much shorter than those of industry giants like Samsung, Apple, or Nintendo. It’s a fast-moving, highly competitive market where pricing is critical.

But what about the handheld generating the most buzz — the Nintendo Switch 2?

After initially delaying US pre-orders, Nintendo has confirmed that it won’t raise the base price of the Switch 2 for American buyers, at least not yet. However, accessories haven’t escaped the impact of tariffs. The Switch 2 dock price has increased from $110 (£82) to $120 (£90), while a pair of Joy-Con controllers now costs $95 (£71), up from $90 (£67).

Switch 2 is primarily manufactured in China, but it’s estimated that around a third of the inventory is being produced in Vietnam. Reports suggest a million units were shipped from Vietnam to the US in early 2025.

While China remains subject to a steep 145 per cent tariff under the latest US trade measures, Vietnam briefly faced a 46 per cent rate, announced by Trump, before the increase was delayed on April 9. For now, Vietnamese-made goods are subject to a standard 10 per cent tariff, making Vietnam a strategic production alternative for Nintendo.