Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Nintendo did not delay the Nintendo Switch 2 launch in the United States. It delayed the planned U.S. pre-order opening by two weeks while it assessed the possible effect of new U.S. tariffs and changing market conditions.
Nintendo did not delay the Nintendo Switch 2 launch in the United States. It delayed the planned U.S. pre-order opening by two weeks while it assessed the possible effect of new U.S. tariffs and changing market conditions.
The company originally planned to open U.S. pre-orders on April 9, 2025. On April 4, Nintendo said that date would be postponed, but confirmed that the console would still launch on June 5, 2025. Nintendo later set April 24 as the new U.S. retail pre-order date and kept the announced launch prices for the console and Mario Kart World bundle.
That immediate decision did not prevent later pricing changes. Nintendo subsequently announced that the U.S. MSRP would increase from $449.99 to $499.99 on September 1, 2026. The later increase is important context, but it should not be treated as proof that Nintendo’s April 2025 pre-order decision was solely a tariff calculation.
Recommended Free Tools
What happened to Switch 2 pre-orders?
Nintendo announced Switch 2 on April 2, 2025, with a June 5 launch date and a planned U.S. pre-order start of April 9. Two days later, the company said it was postponing U.S. pre-orders so it could assess “the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions.”
#1 Best Overall
- [Compatibility]: The SiWiQU dock only works with Nintendo Switch/Switch OLED. The switch docking station is not work with Nintendo Switch 2 (2025). (NOTE: Only docking station included, no cable or charger.)
- One-touch Display Switching: Press the TV/Tabletop Mode button at the back of the dock, you can choose Tabletop Mode or TV Output Mode.
- Special Design: The guide notch have a spring buffer function, You don't have to worry about damaging the port over time when docking the console in. The switch fits into the dock tight and secure (NOT compatible with protective cases). The anti-skid pad at the bottom prevents it from sliding around or falling over by accident.
- Charge While Playing: The charging stand allows the Switch system to be charging while in TV or tabletop mode. Built in smart original chip, having Short-circuit Protection, Over Power Protection, Recovery Protection and Overheating Protection.
- Portable and Lightweight: This Switch dock with classic red and blue colour match is only 109g(0.24lb), 7.5 in * 2.3 in * 1.3 in size, which is much more portable and lightweight than official dock. Its work capability is the same as official standard.
Nintendo explicitly said the June 5 release date was unchanged. The announcement therefore concerned the timing of pre-orders—not production, shipment, or the hardware launch itself.
On April 18, Nintendo announced that U.S. retail pre-orders would begin April 24. At that point, the company confirmed that the Switch 2 console would launch at the previously announced $449.99 U.S. price. The $499.99 Mario Kart World bundle also remained unchanged at launch.
Switch 2 tariff and pre-order timeline
| Date | Event | What it meant |
|---|---|---|
| April 2, 2025 | Nintendo announced Switch 2 | The console was scheduled to launch June 5 at $449.99 in the U.S.; the Mario Kart World bundle was announced at $499.99. |
| April 2, 2025 | The White House issued Executive Order 14257 | The order established a reciprocal tariff framework, including a 10% global baseline and higher country-specific rates described in the order. |
| April 4, 2025 | Nintendo postponed U.S. pre-orders | The company cited tariff impact assessment and evolving market conditions. The June 5 launch remained on schedule. |
| April 18, 2025 | Nintendo announced a new pre-order date | U.S. retail pre-orders were set for April 24. Console and Mario Kart World bundle launch prices were preserved, while several accessories were repriced. |
| April 24, 2025 | U.S. pre-orders opened | Retail ordering began, although contemporary reports described strong demand and ordering friction. |
| June 5, 2025 | Switch 2 launched | Nintendo met the announced U.S. launch date. |
| May 2026 | Nintendo announced a later U.S. price revision | Financial materials and Nintendo’s U.S. site listed a $50 MSRP increase, effective September 1, 2026. |
Why did Nintendo postpone the U.S. pre-order date?
The direct explanation was uncertainty. The U.S. tariff policy was announced on the same day Nintendo revealed Switch 2’s U.S. price and launch plans. That timing made it difficult for Nintendo to finalize the commercial details of pre-orders before understanding how the new policy might affect costs and market conditions.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsNintendo’s statement supports saying that tariffs were an explicit factor in the postponement. It does not establish several more specific claims that have circulated around the story:
- Nintendo did not disclose a specific tariff amount applied to each Switch 2 console.
- The company did not identify a single country of manufacture or provide a country-of-origin calculation for the hardware.
- Nintendo did not say that a tariff cost would be passed directly to buyers.
- Nintendo did not announce that the $449.99 launch MSRP would necessarily increase.
The applicable duty could depend on details such as customs classification, country of origin, exclusions, and subsequent policy changes. The available Nintendo explanation was deliberately broader: tariffs plus evolving market conditions.
What prices did Nintendo keep—and what changed?
When Nintendo reopened the pre-order timetable, it kept the launch prices of the most visible products:
- Switch 2: $449.99 in the United States.
- Switch 2 plus Mario Kart World bundle: $499.99.
- Mario Kart World: launch pricing remained unchanged.
- Donkey Kong Bananza: launch pricing remained unchanged.
Nintendo did adjust several accessories. The prices announced in its April 18 update included:
| Accessory | U.S. price |
|---|---|
| Switch 2 Pro Controller | $84.99 |
| Joy-Con 2 pair | $94.99 |
| Switch 2 Camera | $54.99 |
| Switch 2 Dock Set | $119.99 |
| Samsung 256GB microSD Express Card | $59.99 |
Nintendo also warned that prices for other products could change in the future depending on market conditions. That distinction matters: the company protected the headline console and major launch software prices at that moment, but it did not promise that every Switch 2-related product would remain at its original price indefinitely.
Did the tariffs delay the Switch 2 launch?
No. The Switch 2 launched on June 5, 2025, as originally announced. The April episode was a pre-order delay and pricing-uncertainty event, not a confirmed hardware-launch delay.
Rank #2
- 【 HDMI VIDEO OUTPUT】This Switch Dock is compatiable for Switch 1& Switch OLED. The portable switch tv dock support 4K, 1080P output to TV, computer monitor & laptop,projector. The high-definition and smooth video synchronization effect brings a more immersive gaming experience. Pls NOTE that switch console only support 1080P output to TV.
- 【CHARGE WHILE PLAYING & OVERHEAT PROTECTION】You only need to plug official nintendo switch charger and HDMI cable, then switch tv adapter USB type C port plug in Switch or Switch OLED console.Then you can charge the switch while the TV is playing.The switch tv dock has a built-in smart chip with overcharge protection, overheat protection, short circuit protection and recovery protection.Switch Dock Replacement Portable TV Dock, Nintendo fans travel essentials!
- 【UPGRADED 6-IN-1 MULTI-PORT DESIGN】 This Switch docking station for TV has 1*HDMI 2.0 port, 2*USB 2.0 ports, 1*Switch button, 1*USB-C (100w max)input port,1*type-C output port. Suitable to connect multiple devices. With anti-skidpad at the bottom prevents it falling over by accident. Perfect replacement for official nintendo switch dock and OLED Model. (NOTE: only docking station included, no HDMI cable or charger.)
- 【LIGHTWEIGHT AND PORTABLE】 This switch dock with blue LED light is only 2.6oz, 5.7 in * 1.9 in * 1.2 in size, which is much more portable and lightweight than official switch dock. Its work capability is the same as official standard, so it’s the perfect replacement station for Official Nintendo switch dock station. (No charging cable included!) Attention: Please use official Switch original power adapter.
- 【ONE KEY TO TV MODE/HANDHELD MODE】Press the TV/Tabletop Mode button at the back of the dock, you can easily choose Tabletop Mode or TV Output Mode. If you are at all unsatisfied with our switch dock, please contact us and we will be happy to provide you with your choice of a replacement or refund. We stand by our products 100% and want our customers to love them as much as we do!
Ordering problems reported when pre-orders opened on April 24 should also be kept separate from the tariff decision. Strong demand and retailer ordering friction may have affected the customer experience, but they do not change what Nintendo announced on April 4: the company postponed the pre-order window while assessing tariffs and market conditions.
What is the later Switch 2 price increase?
Nintendo’s May 2026 financial materials and U.S. product information listed a price revision scheduled for September 1, 2026. The U.S. Switch 2 MSRP was set to rise from $449.99 to $499.99 before applicable sales tax—a $50 increase. The revised $499.99 MSRP matches the original launch price of the Mario Kart World bundle, but it applies to the standalone console.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Nintendo described the revision as a response to various market-condition changes expected to continue over the medium to long term. It did not present the announcement as a direct, itemized tariff pass-through.
As of the research date of August 12, 2026, the increase had been announced but was not yet effective. Buyers should check the price and availability displayed by Nintendo or an authorized retailer at the time of purchase rather than assume that an older listing still reflects the applicable MSRP.
The chronology supports a careful conclusion: Nintendo first paused U.S. pre-orders amid tariff uncertainty, preserved the console’s launch price when pre-orders resumed, and later announced a separate $50 price increase. The later increase may show that market conditions remained commercially significant, but it does not prove the exact cause of the 2025 postponement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What does this mean for someone buying a Switch 2?
The practical decision is less about the old pre-order delay and more about current price, availability, and the cost of the accessories needed for a particular setup.
Check the console price date
If buying before September 1, 2026, compare the retailer’s current price with Nintendo’s announced $449.99 MSRP and verify whether the listing is for the standalone console or the Mario Kart World bundle. From September 1, Nintendo’s announced U.S. standalone MSRP is $499.99, before sales tax.
Budget for accessories separately
The console price did not tell the whole pricing story even at launch. The Pro Controller, Joy-Con 2 pair, camera, dock set, and storage card each had their own pricing. A buyer deciding between the standalone console and bundle should also account for whether they need an additional controller, a replacement dock, a camera for GameChat, or expanded storage.
Relevant setup options include the Switch 2 Pro Controller, a Nintendo Switch 2 carrying case, and a microSD Express card for Switch 2. Nintendo’s support information specifically distinguishes microSD Express cards from ordinary microSD cards, so shoppers should not assume that any standard microSD card is an appropriate Switch 2 storage purchase.
Check game compatibility
Switch 2 is compatible with supported Nintendo Switch games and adds features such as a larger display, magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers, improved processing and graphics performance, GameChat, and GameShare. Compatibility is not universal: some original Switch games may not be supported or may not be fully compatible. Check Nintendo’s compatibility information for a specific game before relying on an older physical or digital library.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Rank #3
- Third party Switch TV dock, but functionally identical to the dock included with the NS Switch system. Note: Not for new Switch 2 console.
- Maintain multiple Switch docks in your home to easily move from one TV to another.
- Includes a Switch dock, charger and high speed HDMI cable.
Why the story matters for Nintendo
The episode shows how a console maker can separate the pricing of a platform from the pricing of its ecosystem. Nintendo kept the headline hardware and major launch software prices in place while adjusting accessories, giving consumers a stable entry price without freezing every related product.
Nintendo’s May 2026 financial materials also forecast 16.50 million Switch 2 hardware sales for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027, compared with 19.86 million units in the prior fiscal-year comparison presented in those materials. Those are Nintendo’s forecasts, not independently verified sales results. The company said the outlook reflected strong launch-year sales, expected second-year unit declines, and the effect of price revisions while still describing the second year as solid.
That forecast provides business context, but it should not be used to rewrite the 2025 timeline. The best-supported account remains straightforward: Nintendo delayed U.S. pre-orders to evaluate tariff exposure and broader market conditions, kept the June 5 launch date, preserved launch pricing for the console and key software, repriced some accessories, and later announced a separate U.S. console price increase for September 1, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did tariffs delay the Nintendo Switch 2 launch?
No. Nintendo postponed the U.S. pre-order date, not the console’s release. Switch 2 launched on June 5, 2025, as originally announced.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →When did Switch 2 pre-orders open in the United States?
Nintendo moved U.S. retail pre-orders from April 9 to April 24, 2025. The company cited the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions.
How much did the Switch 2 cost in the U.S.?
The launch MSRP was $449.99 for the console and $499.99 for the Mario Kart World bundle. Nintendo later announced a $50 increase to the standalone console MSRP, effective September 1, 2026.
Did Nintendo raise Switch 2 prices when it reopened pre-orders?
Nintendo kept the console and major launch software prices unchanged when it restored the pre-order date, but adjusted prices for several accessories, including the Pro Controller, Joy-Con 2 pair, camera, dock set, and a 256GB microSD Express card.
What type of storage card does Switch 2 use?
Use a microSD Express card. Nintendo’s support documentation distinguishes microSD Express compatibility for Switch 2 from ordinary microSD cards.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Nintendo postponed U.S. Switch 2 pre-orders from April 9 to April 24, 2025, because it was assessing tariffs and changing market conditions—not because it had delayed the June 5 launch. The console launched on schedule at $449.99, while some accessories were repriced. Nintendo later announced that the standalone U.S. MSRP would rise to $499.99 on September 1, 2026, but that later increase should not be presented as definitive proof of why the 2025 pre-order date changed.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
