Nintendo has announced a delay in U.S. pre-orders for its upcoming Switch 2 console due to concerns over newly imposed tariffs on Japanese exports.
The decision comes in the wake of President Donald Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariff policies, which introduce a 24% levy on imports from Japan, including electronics. The company was originally set to open pre-orders on April 9 following the product’s official unveiling.
Nintendo said the delay is a strategic move to evaluate the potential impact of the tariffs and broader market conditions. Despite this temporary measure, the global release date for the Switch 2 remains on track for June 5.
The Switch 2 is the long-awaited successor to Nintendo’s original Switch console which debuted in 2017. The new model has enhanced features, including support for 4K HDR resolution, high refresh rates and a new ‘mouse mode’ via the updated Joy-Con 2 controllers. In Australia, the console is officially listed at A$699.95, with the Mario Kart World bundle priced at A$769.95.
The announcement of the pre-order delay follows the introduction of significant tariffs by the Trump administration, affecting imports from various countries, including Japan and Vietnam, which are key locations for Nintendo’s manufacturing operations.
The tariffs impose a 24% levy on Japanese imports and a 46% tariff on goods from Vietnam. These measures have prompted Nintendo to reassess the potential financial impact on their operations and pricing strategies.
Industry analysts have expressed concerns that these tariffs could lead to increased prices for consumers, potentially driving up the cost of gaming hardware by as much as 50%. This situation draws parallels to previous price surges in the GPU market due to similar tariff implementations.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding U.S. pre-orders, Nintendo has confirmed that the Switch 2’s global launch date remains set for June 5. The company plans to announce a new pre-order date for the U.S. market once it has fully assessed the implications of the tariffs and evolving market conditions.
