Nintendo has announced a sudden delay in U.S. pre-orders for the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, citing new tariffs and evolving market conditions as the key reasons.
Pre-orders were initially set to open on April 9, 2025, but the company now says it is holding off until it can fully evaluate the economic implications of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff plan.
In a brief statement issued early Friday, Nintendo said:
“We are postponing the launch of Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders in the U.S. to assess the impact of recently announced tariffs and ensure the best possible experience for our customers.”
The Switch 2, revealed earlier this year with updated specs, new Joy-Con technology, and enhanced cloud gaming features, is still scheduled to launch on June 5, 2025 globally. However, American consumers will have to wait a little longer to secure their pre-order spot.
The delay comes just days after the U.S. government announced 34% reciprocal tariffs on all goods imported from countries like China and Japan, a move that is already sending shockwaves across the tech and gaming industries. While Nintendo has not confirmed whether the Switch 2 will be affected directly by these tariffs, analysts say the company is likely being cautious with pricing and logistics.
Retail giants like GameStop, Best Buy, and Walmart were reportedly preparing their systems to go live with pre-orders next week. According to internal memos obtained by industry tracker @Wario64, these plans are now on hold indefinitely.
GameStop issued a notice to its store managers this morning:
“Please advise customers that pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 are delayed. We will update you as soon as we receive official communication from Nintendo.”
The original pricing guidance for the Nintendo Switch 2 was rumored to be $449.99 USD, but that figure could change depending on how the tariff situation plays out. A 34% import tariff could force either a price hike or result in reduced margins for Nintendo, or potentially a combination of both.
“Nintendo has always aimed to keep its consoles affordable, but this kind of macroeconomic pressure may force their hand,” said gaming analyst Jeff Grubb. “We could see a price bump, or a shift in distribution strategy for the U.S. market.”
While U.S. pre-orders are paused, international pre-orders are expected to continue as planned, particularly in regions like Europe and Australia. Japanese consumers, where Nintendo is headquartered, will begin placing their orders next week as scheduled.
Nintendo says it remains committed to a June 5 global launch and emphasized that the U.S. delay does not reflect supply chain issues, only economic concerns related to tariffs.
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