• Nintendo has postponed pre-orders for the Switch 2, originally scheduled for April 9, 2025.
• The delay is attributed to the impact of tariffs introduced by President Donald Trump on imports.
• The console's launch date of June 5, 2025, remains unaffected.
• Analysts suggest that increased production costs due to tariffs could lead to higher consumer prices.

Nintendo has announced a delay in pre-orders for its highly anticipated Switch 2 gaming console in the United States, which were set to commence on April 9, 2025. The decision comes as the company seeks to evaluate the potential impact of tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, which have raised concerns about the pricing of consumer electronics. The official launch date for the console, however, is still scheduled for June 5, 2025. In a statement, Nintendo explained that the postponement is necessary to assess "evolving market conditions" and any fallout from the tariffs affecting countries where it has shifted manufacturing operations, notably Vietnam and China. Analysts, including Joost van Dreunen from NYU's Stern School of Business, have noted that the tariffs could significantly impact supply chains, particularly at a critical juncture for Nintendo, which is trying to navigate production adjustments. The new console is expected to launch with a price tag of $449.99, representing a sharp increase from the original Switch's launch price, raising further concerns about pricing strategies as consumer markets adjust to these new economic factors. Nintendo had previously moved much of its production from China to Vietnam as a strategy to mitigate earlier tariff impacts, yet Trump has now imposed equally steep tariffs on Vietnam, increasing uncertainty regarding future costs for both hardware and games. As the company grapples with these challenges, many consumers are expressing anxieties over potential price hikes and the overall affordability of the upcoming console and its titles. To stay updated, consumers are advised to watch for further announcements from Nintendo.Source 1, Source 2, Source 3, Source 4, Source 5, Source 6, Source 7, Source 8, Source 9