Today, Nintendo announced that pre-orders for the highly anticipated Switch 2 will be opening in the U.S. on April 24. The pricing remains consistent with initial reports: the base system starts at $449.99, while a bundle featuring Mario Kart World is priced at $499.99.
Originally, these pre-orders were put on hold right after the console was first announced, as Nintendo needed time to evaluate “potential impacts of tariffs and changing market conditions.”
However, some accessories for the Switch 2 are seeing a bump in price. The Joy-Con 2 controllers, which were initially priced at $89.99, will now cost you $94.99. Additionally, the Pro Controller’s price is increasing to $84.99, up from $79.99. Other accessories, such as the camera, dock set, wheel set, and charging grips, also have price hikes in store.
Nintendo’s announcement mentions that further price adjustments might be on the horizon, depending on how the market shifts.
The anticipated launch date for the system remains June 5.
Pre-orders were initially scheduled to open on April 9 but were postponed due to some strategic considerations after the U.S. government’s announcement of significant tariffs on the same day. On that day, President Trump declared a 90-day freeze on many tariffs, although tariffs on Chinese products are an exception.
Despite these price changes, some things remain steady. There’s no increase for Nintendo’s blockbuster titles: Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Banaza, set to release on July 17, will sell at $79.99 and $69.99, respectively.
The Switch 2 itself boasts several enhancements compared to the original model, such as a bigger display with HDR capabilities, an additional USB Type-C port, and an upgraded graphics processor from Nvidia.
Even though the price of $449.99 is significantly higher than the $299.99 launch price of the original Nintendo Switch, the enhancements may justify the cost for many. Yet, some fans haven’t hesitated to voice their hopes for a price drop on social media platforms.
Nintendo wrapped up their announcement with an apology for the delay, expressing hope that this clarification might ease some concerns their customers are experiencing.
