Nintendo Switch 2 US Pre-Orders Delayed Due to Trump Tariffs

Nintendo fans in the U.S. will have to wait a bit longer to lock in their pre-orders for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. The company announced that it’s delaying pre-orders in the United States, citing the need to evaluate how newly announced tariffs from President Donald Trump could impact pricing and availability.

In a statement, Nintendo confirmed:

“Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not start April 9, 2025 in order to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions.”

So, no pre-orders for now—but the June 5, 2025 launch date? Still happening. Nintendo says they’ll share new pre-order timing “at a later date.”

The news comes at a rough moment. Just hours after Nintendo wrapped its Switch 2 Direct showcase, the Trump administration rolled out fresh tariffs—some of which target key countries involved in Switch 2 manufacturing. Vietnam is facing a 46% rate, while Cambodia is looking at 49%, both critical regions in Nintendo’s supply chain.

The initial U.S. price of the Switch 2 was set at $449.99, with pre-orders originally planned to go live at retailers like GameStop and Best Buy this week. Those listings are still up—but with no “add to cart” in sight.

Behind the scenes, this tariff situation is making waves industry-wide. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), which represents gaming giants like Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft, is pushing back hard.“These tariffs are going to have a real and detrimental impact on the video game industry,” said Aubrey Quinn, ESA’s Senior VP, in an interview with Game File.

Why? Because gaming hardware is a global jigsaw puzzle—components come from everywhere. As Quinn explained, “Any one product that a consumer would buy is likely to be subject to many of the tariffs announced, all compounded on top of one another.” Translation: price hikes are looking more and more likely.

Nintendo, for its part, has been prepping for trouble. According to Financial Times, the company stockpiled hundreds of thousands of units in the U.S. ahead of time. But it’s still unclear whether that $450 price tag includes potential tariff costs—or if a bump is coming later.

Meanwhile, international pricing tells a different story. In Japan, the Switch 2 will sell for the equivalent of $343—a solid $100 cheaper than the U.S. version.

And it’s not just a Nintendo problem. The broader tariffs include a 25% hit on all computer imports, which could affect desktops, laptops, parts—and yes, every major game console. The ESA, along with other tech groups, is urging U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to reconsider, pushing for trade-friendly solutions that don’t hit consumers in the wallet.

Asked whether console makers should just bring manufacturing back stateside, Quinn kept it real: “Supply chains are complicated. They can’t be changed overnight. Everything… can’t be a knee-jerk reaction to any particular announcement.”

For now, if you’re in the U.S. and planning to grab a Switch 2, the best move is to hang tight. Nintendo says more info is coming soon—but with tariffs in the mix, pricing could still shift before launch day.

And just to be clear: this delay only applies to the U.S.. Pre-orders are moving ahead as planned in other parts of the world, with some regions already opening up reservations.

Sources: Insider Gaming, Game File, Financial Times