Nintendo Delays Switch 2 Pre-Orders, Citing Tariff Uncertainty

The tariffs are coming for the video game industry.

Nintendo announced on Friday they’re pushing back the start of pre-orders for the eagerly awaited Nintendo Switch 2, but they reaffirmed their commitment to launching the console on June 5th, 2025.

Nintendo announced that pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. won’t begin on April 9, 2025. They want to evaluate how tariffs and market trends might affect sales before setting a new date. The launch date of June 5, 2025 remains unchanged.

Earlier this week, Nintendo unveiled the Switch 2, revealing its launch date and a suggested retail price of $450. They also announced several high-profile games, including a new installment in the popular Mario Kart series titled Mario Kart World, as well as a summer release for a fresh Donkey Kong game called Donkey Kong Bananaza.

Indeed, shortly following Nintendo’s unveiling of the Switch 2, President Trump unexpectedly proposed widespread tariffs, among them a surprising 24% tax on goods imported from Japan.

Video games, being a segment within the broader entertainment industry, might experience significant impact from tariffs due to their dependence on sophisticated electronic components, microchips, and tangible hardware. Specifically, potential sales of upcoming consoles such as the Switch 2 may face substantial challenges.

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2025-04-04 19:24