Nintendo Delays Switch 2 Pre-Orders in US Due to New Import Tariffs

Nintendo has announced it will not proceed with opening pre-orders for its new Switch 2 console in the United States as previously planned. The delay follows the sudden implementation of 24% tariffs on Japanese exports by the US, introduced by President Donald Trump. Nintendo had initially intended to open US pre-orders on April 9, shortly after revealing the console, but now says it needs time to assess the tariffs’ potential impact on pricing and market strategy. Despite the postponement, the global release date for the Switch 2 remains June 5. The tariffs affect only the US market, so pre-orders in other countries, including the UK, are unaffected. The original pricing of $449.99 for the console and $79.99 for the flagship game Mario Kart World may come under review depending on how Nintendo chooses to manage the increased costs. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba criticized the tariffs as a national crisis, signaling rising tensions between Japan and the US over trade. The situation raises uncertainty among consumers about whether Nintendo will absorb the costs or pass them onto buyers through price hikes.