Folks in the UK may now pre-order a Nintendo Switch 2, but American gamers are still left waiting for their opportunity to secure one. Nintendo has announced an indefinite delay on Switch 2 pre-orders in the United States, leaving many fans frustrated. This decision follows newly announced tariffs by President Donald Trump, which have resulted in the postponement of these highly anticipated pre-orders. Canadians face a similar fate, as Nintendo has also indefinitely delayed pre-orders in Canada, according to reports by MobileSyrup and confirmed by Walmart Canada via a post on X.
According to a statement from Nintendo provided to Engadget, ‘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. Nintendo will update timing at a later date. The launch date of June 5, 2025, is unchanged.’
In a surprising twist, President Trump recently announced a 90-day pause on steep ‘reciprocal’ tariffs affecting 75 countries. However, tariff rates affecting imports from China are set to rise significantly, now reaching up to 145 percent. This evolving scenario raises questions about the potential impact on the pricing and availability of the Switch 2 in the United States and Canada. Nintendo began shifting some of its Switch production to Vietnam in 2019, and due to this latest announcement, it appears that the reciprocal tariff for Vietnam, initially set at 46 percent, may now be on hold. Instead, a 10 percent reciprocal tariff is currently in effect during the 90-day pause.
The latest speculation suggests that Nintendo may ramp up production of the Switch 2 in Vietnam, enabling them to meet their planned U.S. launch schedule, even if it means selling units at a loss in the short term. Previously, Nintendo had announced the April 9 pre-order date for North America alongside a June 5 release date for the broader launch. The expected starting price was set at $450, but there is uncertainty surrounding this figure in light of the changing tariff environment. Notably, major retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, and Walmart are expected to carry the Switch 2 when it finally reaches the U.S. market.
For those interested in pre-ordering directly from Nintendo, there are specific conditions to take into account. The company’s pre-order page states that individuals must be 18 years or older, sign in with their Nintendo account, and register their interest in pre-ordering. Once registered, individuals will receive an invitation email when pre-orders begin, and this invitation will be valid for 72 hours. Furthermore, individuals who have purchased a Nintendo Switch Online membership with at least 12 months of paid membership and at least 50 total gameplay hours as of April 2, 2025, will be prioritized for pre-order invitations. This policy means that dedicated Nintendo players who have recently maintained their subscription may have first dibs on securing their Switch 2. It remains unclear whether similar restrictions will apply for pre-orders made through third-party retailers.
The teaser trailer for the Switch 2 has already revealed a range of new features. The new hardware is larger and comes with a fresh approach to detachable Joy-Cons. Joy-Con 2 features include a new C button, mouse controls, and a built-in gyroscope for tilt control. Additionally, the console is equipped with a built-in microphone that supports a feature termed Game Chat, facilitating in-game communication with friends. The Switch 2 boasts a 7.9-inch LCD screen, capable of supporting a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR, and 1080p resolution. When docked, users can play games in up to 4K resolution on their TVs. Nintendo has also made improvements to the internal speakers, and the new dock comes with a built-in fan designed to keep the console cool during extensive gameplay sessions.
The Switch 2’s upgraded features extend to its storage as well. The base storage has increased to 256GB, and users can still expand it, but only with newer microSD Express cards. For those looking to enhance their gaming experience, various accessories for the Switch 2 will be available for separate purchase. These include the new Switch 2 camera ($50), a Switch 2 Pro controller ($80), an extra pair of Joy-Con 2 controllers ($90), a Joy-Con 2 charging grip ($35), and more. However, due to the uncertainties surrounding tariffs, it is still unknown if these accessory prices will change before they become available for ordering.
As the anticipation builds, many in the U.S. and Canada are left eagerly awaiting further news from Nintendo regarding pre-orders and the impact of tariffs.
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