Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Orders Postponed in US for Tariff Assessment and Market Analysis

In an unexpected twist, Nintendo has announced a delay for US pre-orders of the Nintendo Switch 2. Initially set for April 9, these pre-orders are now on hold as the company navigates the potential market upheaval brought about by sweeping economic policy changes.

The official word from Nintendo is as follows: “Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not commence on April 9, 2025, as originally planned. We need time to evaluate the impact of tariffs and the evolving market landscape. We’ll provide an update on pre-order timing in due course. Please note that the launch date remains unchanged and is still set for June 5, 2025.”

This shift comes on the heels of a major tariff announcement by US President Donald Trump on April 2. The new tariffs affect countries globally, including significant ones like Japan and Vietnam. While Nintendo is headquartered in Japan, manufacturing is primarily based in China and Vietnam. Notably, Vietnam was chosen for some manufacturing processes to preempt tariffs originally placed on China. However, with Vietnam now facing a hefty 46% tariff and China hit with an additional 34%, the repercussions for Nintendo’s supply chain are unavoidable, likely driving up import costs for the Switch 2.

This development occurs amid financial unease across global markets. Wall Street giant JP Morgan, for instance, recently upped its US recession probability to a daunting 60%. The tariff changes are poised to alter the landscape for both imports and exports, significantly affecting economic forecasts worldwide.

For those of you eagerly anticipating the Nintendo Switch 2, this could mean a higher price tag than anticipated. It’s undoubtedly unwelcome news, especially during a period marked by tight budgets and rising living costs. We’ll all have to be patient to see how this situation unfolds and understand how much of a financial impact it might mean for US customers.

Are you rethinking your plans to snag a Nintendo Switch 2 at launch because of these developments? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!