In an unexpected yet official announcement, Nintendo has revealed that pre-orders for the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will be delayed. Originally, these were set to commence on April 9. However, Nintendo now plans to pause and evaluate the effects of some significant changes in economic policy before moving forward.
The company issued a statement to the press, explaining, “Pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not start on April 9, 2025, as we need time to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions. We’ll provide an update regarding the timing later. The official launch date, June 5, 2025, remains unchanged.”
This decision follows a hefty announcement on April 2 by U.S. President Donald Trump, detailing extensive tariffs on numerous countries worldwide. Among these are Japan and Vietnam, pivotal in the production of Nintendo products. Although Nintendo is headquartered in Japan, the actual manufacturing is carried out mainly in China and more recently in Vietnam. The move to Vietnam was strategic, anticipating U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods. Now, Vietnam faces a steep 46% tariff, with China hit by an additional 34%. These new tariffs will almost certainly impact the cost of bringing the Nintendo Switch 2 to the U.S.
This isn’t happening in a vacuum. The global economy is dealing with turmoil. For instance, JP Morgan has increased the likelihood of a recession to 60%. This economic uncertainty is bound to affect sales across the board, not just in the U.S. Export and import disruptions triggered by the tariff changes are expected to complicate economic recovery globally.
For the gamers in the U.S., this could mean the Nintendo Switch 2 might be more expensive than initially expected when it finally hits the shelves. It’s unfortunate news, especially when everyone’s budget might already be stretched thin due to the current cost of living pressures. Now, it seems we’re in for a wait to see the full financial impact on consumers.
So, how does this news affect your plans for purchasing a Nintendo Switch 2 on its release? Feel free to share your thoughts with us below!
