Pre-orders for Nintendo’s Switch 2 Delayed Due to Trump Tariffs — June 5 Launch Date Unaffected

Nintendo recently hit the brakes on pre-orders for the eagerly awaited Switch 2 in the U.S. due to new tariffs announced by the White House, which affect most countries worldwide. In a statement to Tom’s Hardware, Nintendo explained that pre-orders initially set to begin on April 9, 2025, are on hold. They’re pausing to evaluate how the tariffs and shifting market conditions might impact them, though they affirmed the console’s release date remains June 5, 2025.

Unveiled only a day prior, the Switch 2 is set to retail at $449. Manufacturing takes place in China and Vietnam. While previous heavy tariffs on Chinese imports had already posed challenges, Nintendo had the option of shipping from Vietnam to dodge those fees – until now.

The sudden introduction of nearly all-encompassing tariffs by the U.S. government caught companies off guard. Specifically, tariffs on Chinese products hiked to 54%, while Vietnam was surprisingly hit with a 46% charge. This sudden change threw a wrench into Nintendo’s pricing strategy, casting doubt over their ability to stick to the original price tag, especially since the Switch 2 already costs 50% more than its predecessor. There’s hope Nintendo might maintain its original pricing once sales kick off in June, but this remains uncertain.

Several Vietnamese media outlets suggest that the 46% tariff could be a strategic move by the U.S. to encourage Vietnam to negotiate. As part of these discussions, Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister, Ho Duc Phoc, is planning to visit the U.S., possibly paving the way for reduced tariffs if agreements are reached.

Should these substantial tariffs stick, Nintendo might have no choice but to revise the console’s price upward from June 5 onward, a situation that would likely disappoint the gaming community. Many other companies are also wrestling with these expansive tariffs, indicating Nintendo isn’t alone in navigating these challenges.