Nintendo Postpones U.S. Switch 2 Pre-Orders Over Tariffs

Nintendo has made the unprecedented move to postpone Switch 2 pre-orders in the United States, citing the effects of Trump’s tariff policies and shifting market dynamics.

Pre-orders were originally scheduled to begin in the U.S. on April 9. Nintendo has not yet announced a new start date but assured that the console's June 5, 2025 release remains on track.

The company provided IGN with the following statement:

U.S. pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 will not commence on April 9, 2025, as we evaluate the potential implications of tariffs and changing market conditions. Nintendo will provide updated timing information at a future date. The launch date of June 5, 2025, remains unchanged.

Nintendo clarified that the pre-order delay applies only to the U.S. In regions like the UK, pre-order schedules are proceeding as planned.

The Switch 2 was announced at a price of $449.99, with a Mario Kart World bundle priced at $499.99. The standalone Mario Kart World game is listed at $79.99.

The Nintendo Switch 2 bundle includes:

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

Today’s announcement raises the possibility that Nintendo may increase the price of the Switch 2 and its games, amid growing consumer frustration with the next-generation pricing strategy.

In a recent video on their YouTube channel, former Nintendo of America PR managers Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang expressed criticism of how Nintendo unveiled the Switch 2's $449.99 price and the $79.99 cost for Mario Kart World after this week's Nintendo Direct.

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

U.S. markets experienced a sharp decline today following China's response to Donald Trump’s latest tariff measures. In retaliation for a 54% import tax, China has announced an additional 34% tariff on American goods, effective next week.

Just before U.S. markets opened, Trump stated, "China made a mistake by panicking," and reaffirmed that his trade policies "will not change."

This development adds to global economic uncertainty, with several major news outlets suggesting that the era of low-cost goods may be ending for American consumers, as higher tariffs typically lead to inflation and increased retail prices.

Tariffs function as taxes levied on imported goods. Although companies in the supply chain can sometimes absorb these costs, they are frequently passed on to consumers. Unfortunately for gamers, price increases are likely to affect technology and gaming products.

Niko Partners analyst Daniel Ahmad had previously cautioned that Trump’s unexpected tariffs on countries like Vietnam—where Nintendo relocated some Switch 2 production to avoid U.S. tariffs on China—could lead to a strategic reassessment.

“While Nintendo moved some manufacturing to Vietnam to mitigate U.S. tariffs on China, the threat of reciprocal tariffs before the Switch 2 presentation likely forced the company to consider a higher global price point,” Ahmad explained. “The new tariffs on Vietnam and Japan are steeper than anticipated, and Nintendo will be impacted if these measures take full effect.”

For more details, explore all the announcements from the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct and expert opinions on the Switch 2’s pricing and Mario Kart World’s $80 cost.

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