Nintendo Postpones U.S. Pre-Orders for Switch 2 to Evaluate Tariff Effects and Market Changes

In a recent announcement, Nintendo shared that they’ve decided to push back the start of pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 in the United States, originally set for April 9. This delay comes as the company takes a moment to evaluate the effects of significant economic policy shifts on the market.

The official statement from Nintendo clarifies, “Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not commence on April 9, 2025, as planned. We’re currently assessing the potential impacts of tariffs and evolving market conditions and will provide an updated schedule later. The console’s launch date of June 5, 2025, remains unchanged.”

This shift is closely tied to the broad range of tariffs announced on April 2 by U.S. President Donald Trump, which target several countries, including Japan and Vietnam. Although Nintendo’s headquarters are in Japan, its hardware isn’t manufactured there. Instead, a significant portion of production has been moved to China and Vietnam. The latter had been chosen for its manufacturing due, in part, to anticipation of U.S. tariffs on China. Vietnam is now facing particularly steep tariffs at 46%, while China is subject to an additional 34% tariff on top of existing ones. These tariffs could significantly affect the cost of importing the Nintendo Switch 2.

The announcement comes amidst a backdrop of global economic uncertainty. Notably, financial giant JP Morgan has increased its recession risk estimate to 60%, raising concerns over potential effects on U.S. sales. This tariff situation also places strain on economies worldwide, altering import and export dynamics and shaking up growth forecasts across all regions.

For those eagerly waiting for the Nintendo Switch 2, there’s a good chance it might end up being more expensive than anticipated. This isn’t exactly what consumers want to hear, especially during a time when finances are stretched and the cost of living continues to climb. Unfortunately, we’ll have to hold out a little longer to see just how these economic shifts will affect pricing for American buyers.

With these changes on the horizon, are you reconsidering your plans to snag a Nintendo Switch 2 when it launches? Share your thoughts with us!