Nintendo has recently confirmed that U.S. fans eager to get their hands on the Nintendo Switch 2 will have to wait a bit longer to place their pre-orders. Initially scheduled for April 9, the pre-order date has been pushed back due to some big shifts in economic policies, leaving the company to reassess the situation before committing to a new timeline.
In a formal announcement, Nintendo stated, “Pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not begin on April 9, 2025, as we need to evaluate potential impacts arising from tariffs and shifting market conditions. We will provide updated timing at a later date. Please note that the launch date is still set for June 5, 2025.”
The delay comes on the heels of a major announcement on April 2, when U.S. President Donald Trump introduced a wide range of tariffs affecting many countries globally, including Japan, where Nintendo is based. However, the manufacturing of Nintendo’s consoles primarily happens in China and Vietnam. Vietnam, crucially, has been severely impacted, facing a hefty 46% tariff. Meanwhile, China faces an additional 34% tariff, further complicating import costs for Nintendo hardware.
This development coincides with global economic uncertainty. In fact, JP Morgan recently upped its recession risk estimate to 60%, indicating a shaky market that could affect consumer spending across the board. The new tariff policies have triggered a ripple effect, altering predicted economic growth and adjusting global import and export dynamics.
For American consumers, the potential fallout is clear: you might end up paying more than anticipated for the Nintendo Switch 2. It’s definitely not what gamers wanted to hear, especially when financial belts are being tightened and living costs are soaring. Unfortunately, it’s a waiting game now to see just how much more American buyers will have to shell out.
What’s your take? Would a price hike make you reconsider buying the Nintendo Switch 2 at launch? Share your thoughts below!
