Tariffs Cause Delay in Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Orders, But June 5 Launch Remains Unchanged

Nintendo recently announced a delay for U.S. pre-orders of the highly anticipated Switch 2, just two days after a sweeping tariff news from the White House covered most countries worldwide. This decision was confirmed in a communication with Tom’s Hardware.

“Nintendo has decided to postpone the opening of pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S., initially set for April 9, 2025, due to the need to evaluate new tariffs and shifting market dynamics,” the company explained in an email statement. “We’ll provide additional updates on timing as soon as possible. However, the launch date on June 5, 2025, remains firm.”

The Switch 2 was unveiled on Wednesday, carrying a launch tag of $449. Although a large portion of its production happens in China, Nintendo also manufactures in Vietnam. This dual sourcing offers a workaround for the hefty tariffs the U.S. had earlier imposed on Chinese imports, suggesting that Vietnam could remain a viable production point for North American distribution unless tariffs shift there too.

Unexpectedly, Nintendo found itself needing to reassess plans following the White House’s worldwide tariff announcement, which coincidentally came soon after the Switch 2’s reveal. These tariffs, set out as part of President Trump’s “Liberation Day” initiative, saw American duties on Chinese imports climb to an enormous 54%. In a surprising twist, Vietnam was slapped with a substantial 46% import duty as well.

The introduction of these tariffs could force Nintendo’s hand in adjusting the console’s announced price, seeing as products from Vietnam now face significantly higher U.S. import taxes. Initially priced at 50% more than its predecessor, keeping the Switch 2 affordable could become increasingly challenging. Hopes remain, however, that Nintendo can maintain its original pricing strategy by June 5 when sales are scheduled to begin.

Some media outlets in Vietnam suggested that Trump’s hefty 46% tariff might merely be a ploy to entice Vietnam into negotiations. Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister, Ho Duc Phoc, plans to visit the U.S. soon, raising the possibility of discussions that could lead to reduced tariff agreements if Hanoi makes suitable concessions.

Should the 46% tax on Vietnamese imports persist by the time the Switch 2 hits the market on June 5, Nintendo might be left with little choice but to increase the console’s retail price to offset these new costs, much to the dismay of eager customers. Nonetheless, they aren’t alone, as other companies sharing similar production landscapes may find themselves in the same predicament.