Nintendo delays Switch 2 pre-orders in the US due to tariffs

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Today, Nintendo revealed that pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 in the United States are being pushed back due to tariffs. The new console was initially anticipated to be open for pre-order on April 9th in the US, a date rapidly approaching. However, Nintendo has yet to disclose when pre-orders will become accessible to US buyers, but they have confirmed that the June 5th release date remains unchanged. Fans may find themselves venting over the cost of Mario Kart World, and now they might also face paying more for the console itself.

Nintendo delays pre-orders in the U.S. due to tariffs

Earlier, enthusiasts in the US and Canada had an opportunity to express their interest on Nintendo’s website for a chance to enter a lottery system for pre-ordering through Nintendo, starting from May 8th. This process has certain requirements such as a one-year subscription to Nintendo Switch Online, at least 50 hours of gameplay logged, and data sharing with Nintendo, all by April 2nd, 2025. To check if you meet these qualifications, here’s our guide. GameStop announced on social media that they will keep collaborating closely with Nintendo to share updates as soon as more details are released.

In a statement to The Verge, Nintendo clarified that pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S., initially planned for April 9, 2025, have been postponed. This is due to their evaluation of potential tariff effects and changing market conditions. They will announce the new start date at a later time, but the launch date of June 5, 2025 remains unchanged. During the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct on Wednesday, they did not reveal the price, but in press releases afterward, it was stated that the Switch 2 would cost $449.99, with an optional Mario Kart World bundle priced at $499.99. However, it’s uncertain if these prices will stay the same after Nintendo reconsiders.

As a dedicated fan, I noticed something interesting when I visited Nintendo’s purchasing guide on their site. The interest I registered on Wednesday seems to still be pending, and surprisingly, the price on that page remains unaltered. It’s possible that this delay might only impact pre-orders scheduled for April 9th via US third-party retailers like GameStop and Best Buy, but this isn’t yet confirmed. Given that direct pre-orders through Nintendo were initially slated to start in May, it seems they might be holding off on announcing more details about that specific pre-order method.

The US government imposed controversial tariffs mere hours following the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct presentation. Earlier, it was assumed that Nintendo would be less impacted since they shifted production to Vietnam in recent times, a region not previously affected by US tariffs. However, the US has recently imposed a 46% tariff on Vietnam. In the meantime, according to the Wall Street Journal, President Donald Trump stated he had spoken with To Lam, a Vietnamese leader, who expressed interest in lowering Vietnam’s tariffs “to ZERO if an agreement can be reached with the US.” If true, this could potentially boost shares of companies manufacturing goods in Vietnam.

At this moment, we’re in a position where we need to be patient for additional information from Nintendo regarding their future plans. If tariffs remain in place, it seems probable that the cost for U.S. consumers may rise. This development could potentially inflame the American fan base even more, who have been vocally demanding price reductions during the last two days’ Treehouse live gameplay streams, expressing “Lower the price” for long hours.

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2025-04-04 22:32