Nintendo has officially delayed pre-orders for the highly anticipated Switch 2 console in the United States, citing newly implemented tariffs from the Trump administration as the primary cause. Originally scheduled to begin on April 9, 2025, the pre-order process is now on hold indefinitely. However, Nintendo has confirmed that the console’s release date remains unchanged, with its launch set for June 5, 2025.
The new tariffs target electronics and manufacturing components sourced from Asia, specifically hitting China and Vietnam with 34% and 46% levies respectively. These countries play a crucial role in the production of the Switch 2, and the sudden increase in import costs has forced Nintendo to reassess both its pricing strategy and supply chain logistics. The company is currently evaluating how to manage costs without drastically affecting the consumer experience.
Priced at $449.99, the Switch 2 already represents a price jump from previous models. With the added weight of tariffs, analysts speculate that a retail price increase may become unavoidable. This has sparked concern among fans, especially after recent Nintendo livestreams where many users expressed frustration with the high price tag and called for price adjustments.
The delay also sheds light on how international trade policies are affecting global tech and gaming markets. Tariffs aimed at protecting domestic industries are now creating unforeseen obstacles for international companies operating in the U.S., with ripple effects reaching directly into the hands of consumers. Nintendo's hesitation to move forward with pre-orders reflects broader industry uncertainty about the stability of the U.S. market under these new trade regulations.
While Nintendo is working to mitigate these challenges and fulfill its planned launch, the situation remains fluid. The company has not provided a new pre-order timeline but emphasized that further announcements will be made as soon as there is more clarity on how tariffs will impact pricing, logistics, and availability in North America.
As gamers eagerly await the arrival of the Switch 2, the intersection of politics, international trade, and consumer technology is becoming increasingly impossible to ignore. For now, fans in the U.S. will have to wait a bit longer before securing their next-generation Nintendo console.