Nintendo Delays Switch 2 U.S. Pre-Orders Over Tariff Review

Nintendo has made a surprising move by postponing pre-orders for the Switch 2 in the U.S., citing the effects of Trump's tariffs and shifting market dynamics.

Pre-orders were originally scheduled to begin in the U.S. on April 9. While Nintendo did not announce a new start date, the company confirmed that the Switch 2's June 5, 2025 release remains on track.

Nintendo provided IGN with this statement:

U.S. pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 will not commence on April 9, 2025, as we evaluate the possible impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions. Nintendo will announce a revised schedule at a later time. The official launch date of June 5, 2025 remains unchanged.

According to Nintendo, the pre-order delay only affects the U.S. market. In the UK, for instance, the pre-order timeline is proceeding as planned.

The Switch 2 is priced at $449.99, with a Mario Kart World bundle available for $499.99. Mario Kart World alone is sold for $79.99.

Here's what's included with the Nintendo Switch 2:

Nintendo Switch 2 console
Joy-Con 2 controllers (Left and Right)
Joy-Con 2 Grip
Joy-Con 2 Straps
Nintendo Switch 2 Dock
Ultra High-Speed HDMI Cable
Nintendo Switch 2 AC Adapter
USB-C Charging Cable

Today’s announcement from Nintendo raises concerns that the company might further increase the prices of the Switch 2 and its games. This comes amid growing frustration over the already high pricing strategy for its next-generation console.

In a recent video on their YouTube channel, former Nintendo of America PR managers Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang expressed disappointment with the way Nintendo revealed the $449.99 price for the Switch 2 and the $79.99 price for Mario Kart World following this week's Nintendo Direct.

“I don’t want to exaggerate, but this feels like a critical moment for Nintendo,” Ellis commented.

U.S. markets fell sharply today after China responded to a series of tariffs imposed by Donald Trump. China, now facing a 54% import tax, announced it will implement an additional 34% tax on U.S. goods starting next week.

Just before U.S. markets opened, Trump stated, "China made a mistake by panicking," and reaffirmed that his policies are "here to stay."

Global economic uncertainty is growing, with major media outlets warning that the era of affordable goods may be ending for American consumers. Higher tariffs typically lead to increased inflation and higher retail prices.

Tariffs function as taxes on imported goods. While some companies in the supply chain may absorb these costs, they are often passed on to consumers. Unfortunately for gamers, these price increases are expected to impact technology and gaming products significantly.

Niko Partners analyst Daniel Ahmad had cautioned that Trump's unexpected tariffs on countries like Vietnam—where Nintendo relocated some of its Switch 2 production to avoid U.S. tariffs on China—could force the company to reconsider its pricing.

"Although Nintendo moved some manufacturing to Vietnam to mitigate U.S. tariffs on China, the possibility of reciprocal tariffs before the Switch 2 unveiling would have pressured the company to raise prices globally," Ahmad explained. "The higher-than-expected reciprocal tariffs on Vietnam and Japan will have a direct impact on Nintendo if they are fully implemented."

For additional details, take a look at all the announcements from the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct and expert opinions on the Switch 2 price and Mario Kart World's $80 price point.

What's Your Opinion on the $449.99 Price for the Nintendo Switch 2?

Too expensiveCheaper than I was expectingAbout rightSomething else (let us know in the comments!)

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