Lawsuit: Nintendo is getting tariff refunds—its customers should get them instead

In a bold move, two gamers have filed a lawsuit against Nintendo of America, claiming that the gaming giant plans to keep tariff refunds from the government rather than return these funds to consumers who have been affected by inflated prices. This class action lawsuit aims to represent not only the two plaintiffs but also all U.S. residents who purchased Nintendo products from February 2025 to February 2026. The legal complaint, submitted in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, argues that unless the court intervenes, Nintendo could benefit from receiving tariff payments twice: firstly, through increased prices charged to consumers and secondly, through government refunds, which also include interest. "Nintendo has made no binding promise to reimburse consumers for these tariff-related price hikes," the lawsuit states, emphasizing the need for judicial action to prevent this perceived injustice. The plaintiffs, Gregory Hoffert from California and Prashant Sharan from Washington, contend that they paid inflated retail prices for Nintendo products, which were raised to offset the tariffs on imported goods. They argue that they would not have incurred these higher costs if it weren't for the unlawful tariffs and Nintendo's decision to pass them onto consumers. This lawsuit follows a recent Supreme Court ruling that determined the tariffs imposed by President Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) were illegal. As the refund process is just beginning, the government has launched an online platform for importers and customs brokers to file for tariff refunds, estimating a processing time of 60 to 90 days. To date, over 330,000 importers have collectively paid $166 billion in IEEPA duties. Nintendo, meanwhile, has expressed concern about not receiving the complete refund it expects from the Trump administration. Just last month, the company filed its own lawsuit against the Trump administration, seeking a court order to ensure that the government does not withhold portions of the anticipated refunds.