Importance Score: 55 / 100 🔵
Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders, initially scheduled to commence on April 9, have been unexpectedly приостановлены. In an unprecedented announcement, Nintendo revealed Friday it is halting pre-orders for its highly anticipated $450 console launch due to recently imposed tariffs in the United States, set to take effect starting April 5.
Nintendo Halts Switch 2 Pre-Orders Amid Tariff Uncertainty
The gaming giant Nintendo has made a surprising decision to suspend pre-orders for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console. This action deviates from the previously announced pre-order start date of April 9. The company cited newly introduced tariffs in the U.S. as the primary reason for this abrupt change, impacting the launch of the new hardware, priced at $450.
Official Statement from Nintendo
According to a statement from Nintendo, initially reported by GameSpot, the postponement is a direct response to the evolving trade landscape. “Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not begin on April 9, 2025, in order to evaluate the potential consequences of tariffs and fluctuating market conditions,” the statement read. “Nintendo will provide updated timing information at a later date. The scheduled launch date of June 5, 2025, remains unchanged.”
Potential Impact of Tariffs on Pricing
This week’s Switch 2 unveiling showcased exciting new titles such as Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza. However, the reveal was also met with concerns regarding significant price increases, surprising many enthusiasts. Coinciding with the Switch 2 announcement, President Donald Trump declared new tariffs, ranging from over 20 to 40 percent, targeting goods from several countries, including China, Vietnam, and Japan.
Pricing Concerns and Market Fluctuations
These tariffs have the potential to further inflate the prices of video games and Switch 2 hardware for consumers in the U.S., potentially taking effect as early as April 10. President Trump has indicated a willingness to negotiate these new trade taxes. Nintendo’s decision to pause pre-orders suggests the company may be waiting to observe if there is a policy reversal before proceeding with the originally planned pre-order timeline for the Switch 2’s June 5 release.
Retailer Preparations and Consumer Anticipation
Pre-orders were initially slated to commence next week, with major retailers like Best Buy and Walmart already advertising midnight launch events for what is anticipated to be the most highly sought-after console launch in recent years. Nintendo also intended to facilitate pre-orders directly starting in May, albeit with stringent requirements that would have limited participation to a select group of dedicated fans.
Fan Reactions and Pricing Discussions
Even prior to the announcement of the latest tariffs, consumers had voiced concerns and urged Nintendo to lower the price of the Switch 2 and Mario Kart World, the latter poised to be the company’s first $80 game release. Online platforms, particularly Nintendo’s Treehouse Live streams showcasing new Switch 2 game footage, have been filled with user comments and chants advocating for a price reduction.
Possible Economic Ramifications
Should the tariffs be implemented as currently planned, they could lead to substantial price increases on electronics, potentially adding hundreds of dollars to the cost unless Nintendo chooses to absorb the tariff costs, thereby impacting their profit margins on the Switch 2. Industry analysts have previously suggested that Nintendo had already factored in the uncertainty surrounding elevated tariffs and ongoing trade disputes when establishing the $450 price point for the Switch 2. However, the recent statement from Nintendo implies that the console’s final cost in the U.S. upon its June launch may be even higher.
Industry Perspective and ESA Statement
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), a U.S. trade organization representing Nintendo and other gaming companies, has expressed concerns regarding the tariffs, stating they “are going to have a real and detrimental impact on the video game industry.” Aubrey Quinn, Senior Vice President at the ESA, commented to Game File this week, emphasizing the need for careful consideration: “Every company, every industry, the video game industry included, needs to think about what’s best for consumers, best for business, and best for employees. Supply chains are complicated and, certainly, supply chains don’t change overnight. Everything that is considered or decided can’t be a quick turnaround and can’t be a knee-jerk reaction to any particular announcement.”
Update Information
Updated: April 4, 2025, 12:39 p.m. ET: Further details added regarding the effective date of the new tariffs.