US Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders start April 24th, no price increase

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Today, Nintendo has spoken up about the status of pre-orders for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 in the United States. There’s both positive and negative news to share. On the bright side, the prices for the console, the package deal, and the games remain unchanged. Unfortunately, many of the additional accessory items have seen a price hike. Initially, pre-orders were expected to begin approximately 10 days ago; however, they were postponed only a few days after the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct event, as Nintendo reconsidered the impact of U.S. tariffs. This update arrives just eight days after the U.S. president declared a 90-day hold on these tariffs becoming effective.

Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders announced for April 24th, console price does not go up

The message surrounding Nintendo’s new console has been somewhat ambiguous. Although a more powerful Switch console seems promising, considering the impressive lineup of games and the upcoming exclusive FromSoftware game. However, one important aspect was missing from the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct presentation: pricing details. Immediately following the Direct, Nintendo discreetly revealed the prices, with many fans finding the $450 price for the console to be somewhat acceptable. However, the announcement of Mario Kart World setting a record-high base game price at $80 has sparked outrage among fans. In fact, even during yesterday’s Mario Kart World Direct, over two weeks since this news broke, the live chat was still flooded with complaints, repeatedly demanding: “Lower the price.

When word leaked out about the delay in pre-orders, it appeared almost certain that the console’s price would rise. Prices like the initial $450 might jump to $500, or even $600 or $700. Fortunately, as stated on Nintendo’s site, this won’t happen. Instead, the Nintendo Switch 2 will continue to cost $499.99 in the U.S., and the Mario Kart World bundle will also maintain its price at $499.99. Similarly, both Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong: Bananza will keep their prices steady, staying at $79.99 and $69.99 respectively. Pre-orders for U.S. buyers can start on April 24th.

Despite not immediately raising prices, U.S. Nintendo fans should note that there could be future adjustments to the cost of Nintendo products due to market conditions mentioned in Nintendo’s update. This suggests a potential future increase in prices, possibly in response to tariffs. However, for now, fans can still pre-order the console at its original price.

Regarding accessories for your Nintendo Switch, here’s a change in pricing: A fresh set of Joy-Con 2s now costs $94.99, an increase from its previous price of $89.90. The Pro Controller also saw a rise, going from $79.99 to $84.99. Similarly, the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera has been bumped up from $49.99 to $54.99. Across the board, prices for such accessories have risen slightly, typically by around or under $10. While this might not appear as a significant increase at first glance, it’s important to note that these incremental price hikes can add up quickly, especially when factoring in the Nintendo Switch Online subscription which grants access to specific features and online functionality.

In summary, this announcement presents a combination of positive and negative aspects. On one hand, the fact that the console price remains unchanged is commendable. However, the increase in the cost of existing accessories is less appealing. Nevertheless, it’s reassuring that Nintendo has finally disclosed new information. As a result, U.S. enthusiasts now have a clear understanding of the pre-order date, which is April 24th. Although there’s still a chance the console may sell out, at least some American fans will be able to secure it on its launch day, scheduled for June 5th.

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2025-04-18 20:32