Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Order Postponed in US Due to Tariff Concerns and Market Changes

Nintendo recently announced that U.S. pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 have been pushed back. Originally set to commence on April 9, these pre-orders now face a delay as the company monitors the effects of new economic policies on the market landscape.

In their official statement, Nintendo explained, “Pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not begin on April 9, 2025, as initially planned. We are currently evaluating how tariffs and changing market conditions might affect our operations. We will provide an update on the new timeline at a later stage. Nonetheless, the launch date remains June 5, 2025.”

Interestingly, this move comes shortly after President Donald Trump announced a sweeping range of tariffs targeting various countries, including Japan and Vietnam. Although Nintendo’s headquarters are in Japan, most of its production occurs in China and Vietnam. While Vietnam, where some manufacturing shifted preemptively in response to possible tariffs on China, faces a hefty 46% tariff, China deals with an extra 34% tariff. Such significant import duties could inevitably affect the cost of bringing the Nintendo Switch 2 into the U.S.

Amidst global economic upheaval, JP Morgan recently raised its recession probability to 60%, a forecast that could reverberate through U.S. sales. Internationally, economies are adjusting to the new tariff landscape, which is bound to disrupt import and export forecasts worldwide.

For American consumers, this might translate to the Nintendo Switch 2 retailing at a steeper price than initially expected—certainly not welcoming news when budgets are already stretched thin by rising living costs. For now, the extent of the impact on U.S. buyers remains unclear, leaving many in suspense.

So, what does this mean for your gaming plans? Are you reconsidering whether to snag a Nintendo Switch 2 at launch? Share your thoughts with us below!