Nintendo delays Switch 2 pre-orders in the U.S. over Trump tariffs

Nintendo has delayed Switch 2 pre-orders in the United States in response to tariffs rolled out by the Trump administration.

Pre-orders for the $449 console were scheduled to begin on April 9, 2025, but have been delayed until further notice.

“Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not start April 9, 2025 in order to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions,” said Nintendo in a brief statement first spotted by GameSpot reporter Tamoor Hussain. “Nintendo will update timing at a later date. The launch date of June 5, 2025 is unchanged.”

The news comes around 48 hours after Nintendo shared more details about the console during a special Switch 2 focused Nintendo Direct, revealing a device laden with new multiplayer and social features such as GameChat and GameShare and more robust innards.

The grand reveal took place just before President Donald Trump unveiled new tariffs on imports to the country—meaning it will now cost more for companies to bring goods into the United States.

As noted by The BBC, the United States has imposed a 10 percent tariff as a baseline—but will hit some countries with rates of up to 50 percent. Nintendo’s home country of Japan has been hit with a 24 percent tariff.

Nintendo hardware production hubs hit by some of largest U.S. tariffs

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The company had been working to shift hardware production away from China to regions such as Cambodia and Vietnam (thanks Forbes).

The rub, however, is that Vietnam and Cambodia have been hit with 46 percent and 49 percent tariffs, respectively. Two of the highest rolled out by Trump’s administration.

It remains to be seen how Nintendo will deal with the situation. But the big question is whether the company will eat the cost or pass on the outlay to customers.

The Switch 2’s RRP of $449 has already caused some sticker shock online, with players recently bombarding a Nintendo Treehouse live broadcast with repeated (and rather blunt) calls for the company to “drop the price.” Good spot, NintendoLife.

The price of first-party software such as Mario Kart World has also raised eyebrows, with Nintendo revealing the title will cost $80 at launch—although it will be available in a Switch 2 launch hardware bundle that effectively knocks $30 off that RRP. 

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