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Nintendo Postpones Switch 2 Pre-Orders, Cites Trump Tariffs as Factor
Nintendo has announced a delay in pre-orders for the highly anticipated Switch 2 console, originally slated to begin on April 9. The gaming giant explicitly attributed this postponement to potential impacts from planned tariffs by former President Donald Trump. These tariffs are projected to affect numerous countries globally, excluding Russia and North Korea. This development has spurred online discussions and analyst speculation regarding a possible price increase for the $450 system.
Official Statement from Nintendo
In a statement obtained by GameSpot, Nintendo clarified the situation:
Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not commence on April 9, 2025, to evaluate the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions. Nintendo will provide an updated timeline at a later juncture. The scheduled launch date of June 5, 2025, remains unchanged.
Current Status of Pricing and Launch
To reiterate, the Switch 2 maintains its $450 price point and is still on track for its June launch. These details are, for now, still in place. However, this announcement, coupled with persistent consumer discontent regarding game pricing, suggests uncertainty surrounding the Switch 2’s overall rollout and final cost. There remains the possibility that, similar to past instances, Trump may, at the last minute, defer or reduce some or all of the substantial tariffs. Conversely, they could be intensified in certain regions. Speculation even extends to the extreme, with some suggesting potential outright bans on video games via executive action. The current climate is marked by considerable unpredictability.
Unusual Move by Nintendo
It is uncommon for a major video game corporation like Nintendo to retract so swiftly following the announcement of pre-order dates. It is particularly noteworthy that Nintendo directly linked its decision to President Trump and his tariff proposals. These are indeed turbulent and unprecedented times, a sentiment frequently reinforced by news and social media. Unsurprisingly, the news regarding the Switch 2 elicited a wide range of reactions online.
Online Reactions to the Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Order Delay
Below are some of the more noteworthy and humorous reactions circulating online, offering a brief respite from the prevailing news cycle.