Today, Nintendo revealed that U.S. gamers can start reserving their Switch 2 consoles on April 24. The pricing holds steady, with the console priced at $449.99 and a special bundle featuring Mario Kart World priced at $499.99.
The delay in opening pre-orders stems from Nintendo’s decision to evaluate the implications of tariffs and shifting market trends before moving forward.
Fans might notice a slight bump in the cost of some Switch 2 accessories. For example, the updated Joy-Con 2 controllers will see a price increase from the initially planned $89.99 to $94.99. Additionally, the Pro Controller’s price shifts from $79.99 to $84.99. Other accessories like the Switch 2 camera, dock set, wheel set, and charging grips are also experiencing price hikes.
Nintendo’s announcement highlights that further price adjustments may occur depending on how the market landscape evolves.
Despite these changes, the system’s launch date remains set for June 5. Originally, pre-orders were to kick off on April 9, but they got postponed due to Nintendo’s announcement coinciding with U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of broad tariffs. On that day, Trump also called for a temporary 90-day suspension of many tariffs, excluding the increase on Chinese goods.
Excitingly, Nintendo’s flagship games, including the upcoming Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Banaza set for release on July 17, won’t be affected by price hikes. Their current price points remain at $79.99 and $69.99, respectively.
As for the console itself, the Switch 2 boasts several enhancements over its predecessor, such as a larger HDR-supported display, an extra USB Type-C port, and an improved Nvidia graphics chip.
Priced at $449.99, this new model costs significantly more than the original Nintendo Switch, which debuted at $299.99. Understandably, this has led to some fans voicing their desire for a price reduction.
In their statement, Nintendo also expressed regret for the delay and aimed to ease customer concerns by stating their hope that this would “reduce some of the uncertainty our customers may be experiencing.”
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