Nintendo recently postponed the initiation of pre-orders for its anticipated Switch 2 in the United States, a move that comes shortly after the White House announced a sweeping set of tariffs that would impact numerous countries around the globe, according to information relayed to Tom’s Hardware.
“In light of recent tariff developments and shifting market dynamics, pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will no longer commence on April 9, 2025,” Nintendo shared in an email statement. The company assured that they would provide an updated schedule when available, while confirming that the planned launch date of June 5, 2025, remains on track.
The Switch 2 was officially introduced on Wednesday, priced at $449. Currently, Nintendo’s production is largely based in China and Vietnam. While previous threats targeted Chinese exports with hefty import duties, Nintendo seemed poised to sidestep these by channeling Vietnamese-manufactured units to North America. However, this plan hit a snag due to the recent tariff changes led by the U.S. administration.
Just after the debut of the Switch 2, the White House unveiled significant tariffs, inevitably catching Nintendo by surprise. Dubbed the “Liberation Day” tariffs, these increased U.S. duties on Chinese imports to a staggering 54%. Vietnam was also unexpectedly roped in with a 46% tariff hike, a move that could heavily affect Nintendo’s pricing strategy.
Faced with these new trade barriers, Nintendo’s ability to maintain the initially announced price is now under threat. The switch 2 is already relatively pricey—about 50% more than its predecessor—and any tariff-induced price increase may prove taxing for consumers. Despite these circumstances, there remains optimism that Nintendo can honor the original pricing in time for the June 5 launch.
There’s speculation, especially among Vietnamese media, that the sizable tariff on goods from Vietnam was intended as leverage to encourage Hanoi to engage in negotiations with the U.S. As Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc heads to the U.S. shortly, there are hopes that diplomatic discussions could eventually lead to a reduction in tariffs.
Should these tariffs persist until June 5, it seems inevitable that Nintendo will have to factor these additional costs into the retail price, potentially disappointing its dedicated fan base. Nonetheless, Nintendo is hardly alone in navigating these complexities; numerous companies worldwide are grappling with the ripple effects of the extensive tariffs implemented by the U.S. government.
