Nintendo has recently announced that pre-orders for the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 in the United States have been postponed beyond the initially scheduled date of April 9. This decision comes as the company monitors the effects of significant economic policy changes on the market landscape.
In a statement released to the media, Nintendo explained, “Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not start on April 9, 2025, as we need to evaluate the potential impact of tariffs and the shifting market conditions. We will provide an update on the timing at a later date. However, the launch date of June 5, 2025, remains unchanged.”
Earlier this month, on April 2, President Donald Trump unveiled an extensive range of tariffs targeting various countries globally, including Japan and Vietnam. While Nintendo’s headquarters are in Japan, the production of its devices, including the upcoming console, mostly takes place in China and Vietnam. Vietnam, significantly affected by these changes, faces a steep 46% tariff, with China seeing an additional 34% levy. Such tariffs will inevitably influence the cost of importing the Nintendo Switch 2 into the U.S.
The timing of this announcement coincides with ongoing global economic instability. Wall Street giant JP Morgan has increased its estimate for a potential recession to a daunting 60%, which could further impact sales in the U.S. The ripple effect of these tariffs is poised to alter import and export dynamics worldwide, impacting growth projections in various regions.
For American gamers eager to get their hands on the new console, this might mean a heftier price tag than anticipated. It’s unwelcome news, no doubt, especially during times when financial concerns and living costs are at the forefront of everyone’s minds. Unfortunately, any clarity on the direct impact of these economic policies on consumer prices will require a bit more patience from us all.
Are these developments affecting your decision to purchase a Nintendo Switch 2 at launch? We’d love to hear your thoughts—please share them with us in the comments below!
