Nintendo recently announced that U.S. gamers eagerly awaiting the chance to reserve their Nintendo Switch 2 consoles will have to hang tight a bit longer than expected. Originally planned for April 9, pre-orders have been pushed back indefinitely. The company is taking its time to gauge how dramatic changes in economic policies might impact the market.
In an official message to the press, Nintendo stated, “Pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not commence on April 9, 2025, to allow us time to evaluate potential effects of tariffs and evolving market dynamics. We will communicate a new timing later. The release date, however, remains set for June 5, 2025.”
In the backdrop of these pre-order changes, President Donald Trump announced on April 2 an extensive set of tariffs targeting countries around the globe, including Japan and Vietnam. Now, while Japan may be Nintendo’s headquarters, its manufacturing network tells a slightly different story. Much of Nintendo’s hardware, including the Switch, is produced in China and crucially in Vietnam—a move made by the company anticipating tariffs directed at Chinese imports. Currently, Vietnam is feeling the heat more than others, with a staggering 46% tariff. China isn’t far behind, facing an additional 34% on top of existing tariffs. These changes are bound to make an import like the Nintendo Switch 2 pricier.
Adding to the mix of economic concerns, JP Morgan recently upped its recession probability for the U.S. to 60%, signaling turbulent times ahead for sales. The announced tariffs are also creating ripples in global economies, threatening to shake up both the import and export markets and throwing a wrench in previously optimistic growth projections across various regions.
For those of you in the U.S. eagerly awaiting the Switch 2, be prepared for the possibility of a steeper price tag than anticipated. It’s a bit of a dampener, especially when inflation is already pressing down hard on wallets everywhere. Sadly, the extent of the impact on prices remains unclear, so we’re left in suspense for now.
Are these developments changing your mind about snagging a Nintendo Switch 2 at launch? Feel free to share your thoughts with us!
