Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 Delayed in US Due to Tariff Concerns and Market Changes

In a surprising twist, Nintendo has announced that US pre-orders for the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 won’t kick off as originally planned on April 9. This change comes as the company takes a step back to gauge the effects of significant economic policy shifts on the market.

The official word from Nintendo stated, “Pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will begin after April 9, 2025. We are evaluating potential impacts from tariffs and evolving market conditions. We’ll provide an updated timeline soon. However, the launch date remains June 5, 2025.”

On April 2, former President Donald Trump introduced a sweeping array of tariffs targeting multiple countries, including Japan and Vietnam. While Nintendo calls Japan home, their manufacturing largely takes place elsewhere—primarily in China and Vietnam. The latter had become a key production hub after some manufacturing was shifted from China, a strategy reportedly devised in anticipation of US tariffs. These recent tariff hikes are set to impact Vietnam significantly, with a hefty 46% tariff, while China faces an additional 34% levy. This baseline tariff applies to all goods, directly affecting Nintendo Switch 2 imports.

Such global economic ripples are not just shaking Nintendo’s plans. In the financial world, JP Morgan recently bumped its US recession risk to 60%, which could potentially dent consumer spending. With the global trade system undergoing massive shifts, countries are bracing for a slowdown in growth due to changes in trade dynamics.

For fans eagerly awaiting the Nintendo Switch 2 in America, this could mean a heftier price tag than initially expected—troubling news when people are already feeling the squeeze financially. With living costs soaring, everyone’s keeping their fingers crossed as they wait to see how deep these tariffs will dig into their pockets.

So, what about you? Does this development affect your excitement or plans for buying a Nintendo Switch 2 at launch? We’d love to hear your thoughts!