The launch of preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2, initially scheduled to kick off on April 9, has been postponed indefinitely due to the financial implications following Donald Trump’s recent announcement of substantial tariffs on most trade partners of the United States.
In a statement released by the company, Nintendo noted, “Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not start April 9, 2025, in order to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions.” The company assured that the planned launch date of June 5 remains unchanged and that further details regarding the preorder timeline will be provided at a later date.
Nintendo unveiled information concerning the Switch 2 early Wednesday, just hours before Trump’s “Liberation Day” press event, where he addressed the implementation of what is being called the largest increase in import duties in recent U.S. history. These tariffs on nearly all goods imported into the United States are set to take effect on April 9, coinciding with Nintendo’s original preorder plans.
The unexpected delay has ignited discussions among gamers, many expressing their dissatisfaction with the Switch 2’s anticipated price of $450 and the pricing of associated software, which is expected to range from $70 to $80. Nintendo’s promotional streams showcasing gameplay have been flooded with comments urging for a price reduction.
Today’s announcement indicates that Nintendo may need to reevaluate whether the $450 price tag remains viable given the added taxes incurred from importing units produced in countries such as China and Vietnam.
In Japan, Nintendo has revealed that a special edition of the Switch 2 will be available for ¥49,980 (approximately $343). However, this version will feature Japanese as the only system language, a move designed to thwart scalpers and resellers from taking advantage of the weaker Japanese yen. This unique language restriction has drawn humor from Duolingo’s social media team, which suggested that gamers could save $133 by learning Japanese.
Following the announcement of the tariffs, global stock markets have experienced significant declines within just a couple of days. In particular, Nintendo’s shares in Japan have dropped about eight percent since the Switch 2 announcement, falling well below their recent average price.
This is an evolving story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
