Nintendo has announced a delay in U.S. pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 beyond the initially planned date of April 9. The move comes as the company evaluates how a significant economic policy shift could impact the market.
In an official statement, Nintendo explained, “Pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not begin on April 9, 2025, as we need to assess the potential effects of tariffs and evolving market conditions. We will provide an updated timeline later, but the launch date of June 5, 2025, remains unchanged.”
This development closely follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration on April 2 of sweeping tariffs on countries worldwide, including Japan and Vietnam. Although Nintendo’s headquarters are in Japan, the company manufactures much of its hardware, including the Switch, in China, and more recently, Vietnam. The shift to Vietnam was prompted, according to a source, by anticipation of tariffs on Chinese goods. With Vietnam now facing a hefty 46% tariff and China dealing with an additional 34%, these measures are poised to affect Nintendo Switch 2 imports substantially.
Beyond just the gaming world, this situation is part of broader economic distress. Wall Street firm JP Morgan has raised its U.S. recession risk projection to 60%, a factor that could further dampen American sales. Economies globally are responding to unpredictable changes in imports and exports, forecasting altered growth prospects in many regions.
So, what does this mean for you? If you’re in the U.S., you might end up paying more than expected for the Nintendo Switch 2. It’s frustrating, especially with finances stretched thin and living costs soaring. Unfortunately, we will need to hang tight a bit longer to see how tough the impact will be for U.S. consumers.
Has this announcement affected your decision to grab a Nintendo Switch 2 when it hits the shelves? Drop your thoughts below!
