Pre-orders for Nintendo’s Switch 2 Delayed Due to Trump Tariffs; June 5 Launch Date Unaffected

In a bit of unexpected news, Nintendo has decided to delay the much-anticipated pre-orders for the Switch 2 in the United States. This update was shared with Tom’s Hardware just a couple of days after the White House rolled out tariffs that sweep across almost all countries globally.

“Nintendo wants to ensure that it fully understands the implications of these tariffs and the changing market dynamics before starting U.S. pre-orders for the Switch 2, which will not be kicking off on April 9, 2025,” the company said in an email. “We’ll provide a revised timeline when we have a clearer picture. However, the planned launch on June 5, 2025, remains firmly on our calendar.”

Introduced this past Wednesday with a launch price set at $449, the Switch 2 is set to be produced in China and Vietnam. Although there have been looming threats of heavy import taxes on Chinese-made products, Nintendo still has the option to distribute consoles made in Vietnam to North America, avoiding the heightened tariffs that were previously levied on China earlier this year.

The timing of the tariffs, announced just after the official reveal of the Switch 2, likely left Nintendo scrambling. These new “Liberation Day” tariffs, as labeled by Trump, mean a steep 54% tariff on Chinese imports and an unexpected 46% on goods coming from Vietnam.

This rise in tariffs could lead to necessary adjustments in the pricing of the Switch 2, as the cost for Vietnamese-produced goods has sharply increased. The situation is less than ideal for both Nintendo and eager gamers, especially since the Switch 2 is already priced significantly higher—by about 50%—than its predecessor. Still, there’s a possibility that the company might find a way to maintain the original price point when the console becomes available in June.

Interestingly, some journalists in Vietnam have suggested that the steep 46% tariff is Trump’s strategic move to draw Vietnam into trade negotiations. With Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc expected to visit the U.S. soon, any concessions made during these meetings could potentially lower the tariff rates.

However, if things stand as they are with the high import taxes on Vietnamese products still in place by June 5, Nintendo might have little choice but to pass these costs to its customers, resulting in a price increase for the console. This potential change would certainly be disheartening for Nintendo’s loyal fans. Yet, with such extensive tariffs, Nintendo is certainly not alone in facing these challenges.