​Nintendo Delays US Switch 2 Preorders in Response to Trump’s Tariffs

By Kevin Mitchell April 4, 2025

In a surprising move, Nintendo has announced that preorders for its highly anticipated console, the Switch 2, originally scheduled for April 9 in the United States, will be delayed indefinitely. The reason? Tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.

"In order to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions, we have decided to postpone US preorder availability," Nintendo stated. Despite this unexpected delay, the console’s release date remains fixed for June 5, with updated preorder timing expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

This unprecedented decision follows closely behind President Trump’s announcement earlier this week introducing extensive new tariffs, sending shockwaves through the tech industry and financial markets. These tariffs threaten to significantly raise the prices of imported goods, impacting everything from electronics to consumer products.

According to Mat Piscatella, a leading analyst at market research firm Circana, Nintendo was likely caught off guard by the severity and scope of the tariffs. "My best guess is Nintendo had some assumptions in place regarding what tariffs might look like, and the announced tariffs came in much higher and broader than anticipated," he explained.

The Switch 2 is already facing criticism for its high $450 price tag, and Piscatella suggested that this price could climb even further if companies like Nintendo need to offset increased production and import costs. “Every responsible business relying on international supply chains will now be reassessing US pricing strategies,” Piscatella noted. "They simply have no choice."

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) previously warned in February that these tariffs could severely harm the gaming industry and negatively affect millions of American consumers. Nintendo’s preorder delay underscores just how disruptive these trade policies could be for the video game market.

"Historically, consumers in other regions have had to pay significantly higher prices for video games due to tariffs and taxes," Piscatella added. "Unfortunately, it appears the US may soon face similar circumstances."

Nintendo fans are advised to stay tuned as the company navigates these unpredictable market changes.