Nintendo has hit the pause button on U.S. pre-orders for the Switch 2, following a recent announcement from the White House about sweeping tariffs affecting many countries. This news was relayed to Tom’s Hardware just two days after the tariffs were unveiled.
In an email to us, the company explained, “We won’t be starting pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. on April 9, 2025, as initially planned. We need to evaluate the potential effects of the tariffs and shifting market conditions. We will provide an updated timeline at a later date, but our launch date of June 5, 2025, stays the same.”
Just recently, Nintendo unveiled its plans for the Switch 2, which is set to be priced at $449. The consoles are manufactured in both China and Vietnam. Although the U.S. has previously threatened hefty import duties on goods from China, Nintendo could potentially avoid these fees by shipping devices made in Vietnam to North America, sidestepping the elevated tariffs introduced earlier this year by the Trump administration.
However, Nintendo might not have anticipated the almost universal tariffs announced by the White House, which came just hours post the Switch 2 launch news. Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff proclamation significantly raised U.S. duties on Chinese imports to 54%, and surprisingly, Vietnam wasn’t left unscathed, facing a 46% tariff.
This dramatic increase means a likely alteration in the Switch 2’s announced price, considering the significant impact on goods from Vietnam. This development is not ideal for either Nintendo or its eager customers, especially since the new handheld is already set to cost 50% more than the initial Switch model. Fans still cling to the hope that once the console hits the market on June 5, the price might align with the original announcement.
Some in Vietnam, particularly journalists, suggest that the hefty 46% tariff might be a strategic move by Trump to bring Vietnam to the negotiating table. Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc is scheduled to visit the U.S. soon, and it’s speculated that if Hanoi offers some trade concessions, the tariffs might lower.
If these tariffs on Vietnamese products don’t budge by June 5, Nintendo may have no alternative but to adjust the retail price, passing on the increased costs to consumers—a move that would likely upset many Nintendo fans. Yet, with the breadth of the new tariffs, Nintendo is far from alone; numerous companies are likely grappling with similar dilemmas.
