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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Nintendo postponed the planned April 9, 2025 opening of U.S. Switch 2 pre-orders on April 4, saying it needed to assess the potential impact of new tariffs and “evolving market conditions.” The June 5 launch date did not move. Pre-orders opened April 24 at the announced $449.99 console price, and the Switch 2 launched in the United States on June 5, 2025.
What Nintendo actually delayed
The announcement concerned the opening of U.S. retail pre-orders, not the Switch 2 hardware release. Nintendo had planned to begin reservations on April 9, 2025, but said it would provide a new date later. The company did not announce a cancellation, manufacturing shutdown, confirmed surcharge or change to the June 5 launch.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Nintendo Switch 2 System | $499.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Nintendo Switch 2 System with Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 Bundle | $568.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle with Bonus HDMI Cable & Screen Cleaning Cloth | $619.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| Changed on April 4, 2025 | Did not change |
|---|---|
| The U.S. pre-order opening date | The announced June 5, 2025 launch date |
| The timing of retail reservations | The Switch 2 product announcement |
| Nintendo’s assessment period | A confirmed tariff-related price increase |
TechCrunch reported Nintendo’s explanation and the original schedule on April 4: Nintendo delays Switch 2 preorders in response to tariffs. The Washington Post’s report likewise described the move as a pre-order delay rather than a launch delay.
Why tariffs were part of the decision
Nintendo explicitly cited the potential impact of tariffs and changing market conditions. The statement followed the White House’s April 2, 2025 executive order establishing a reciprocal-tariff framework, which the administration linked to trade deficits, tariff disparities and non-tariff barriers: the April 2 tariff order.
#1 Best Overall
- The next evolution of Nintendo Switch
- One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
- Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
- Dock that supports 4K when connected to a compatible TV*
- GameChat** lets you voice chat, share your game screen, and connect via video chat as you play
Nintendo did not publish a cost model. It did not say which tariff classification would apply to the console, what manufacturing or component origins were involved, how much duties might add per unit, or whether Nintendo, suppliers, distributors, retailers or consumers would bear any increase.
What the company may have been evaluating
Those unanswered questions could affect several parts of a launch plan:
- Import duties on finished consoles or components.
- Manufacturing-country and supply-chain exposure.
- Shipping, customs valuation and logistics costs.
- Retailer margins and previously discussed pricing.
- Inventory already in transit and allocation between markets.
- Demand at a $449.99 price point if costs changed before release.
These are reasonable business implications of tariff uncertainty, not disclosed internal Nintendo decisions. A tariff announcement alone does not establish a specific Switch 2 duty rate or a guaranteed price increase.
The announced price and bundle
Nintendo’s announced U.S. console price was $449.99. Contemporary coverage also reported a Mario Kart World bundle at $499.99. Neither figure was described as a tariff surcharge. Speculation that the console might become more expensive was not the same as a confirmed change.
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That distinction matters: saying tariffs “made Switch 2 more expensive” would overstate what was known at the time. Nintendo had paused reservations while assessing costs; it had not announced that new duties had already been added to the retail price.
Rank #2
- The next evolution of the Nintendo Switch system
- One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
- Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
- Supports up to 4K resolution** when using a compatible game and TV connected via the included Nintendo Switch 2 dock
- Nintendo Switch 2 plays compatible physical and digital Nintendo Switch games.***
Pre-orders resumed at the original console price
On April 18, Nintendo set April 24, 2025 as the new U.S. pre-order date and said the Switch 2 would still cost $449.99, with the June 5 launch intact. TechCrunch documented the reopening and unchanged price here: the April 18 update.
From April 9 to April 24, the calendar delay was approximately two weeks. Reports after reservations opened described strong demand and stock-related frustration, but those retail-access issues were separate from Nintendo’s original tariff announcement. Associated Press coverage recorded the pre-order aftermath: AP’s report.
The Switch 2 launched on June 5, 2025
The console reached the U.S. market on the date Nintendo had announced before the pre-order pause. AP’s launch coverage is available at this announcement report and this launch and pre-order report.
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That outcome resolves the central question: the April 2025 event was a reservation-timing change, not a delay to the Switch 2 launch. It also means the story should be read as a historical 2025 episode rather than an unresolved current suspension.
What remained unknown about consumer prices
The pre-order reopening preserved the $449.99 console MSRP, but that did not reveal who would have absorbed any tariff-related costs or whether every product in the Switch ecosystem would be treated identically. Potential effects could have included:
Rank #3
- 【Ultimate Nintendo Switch 2 Bundle – Ready to Play】Includes the complete Nintendo Switch 2 console and a full-game download of Mario Kart World, so you can start racing right out of the box. Perfect for gamers of all ages and playstyles.
- 【Next-Gen Hybrid Gaming with Stunning Visuals】Experience a vivid 7.9‑inch 1080p LCD touchscreen with HDR support, and enjoy 4K TV output at up to 60 fps when docked — for immersive gameplay at home or on the go.
- 【Versatile 3 Play Modes】Seamlessly switch between Handheld, Tabletop, and TV modes — all featuring intuitive controls and smooth performance, wherever you choose to play.
- 【Enhanced Social Gaming with GameChat & Multiplayer】Connect with friends locally, enjoy online multiplayer with up to 24 players, and use voice chat via GameChat (internet connection and Nintendo Switch Online membership required after trial period).
- 【Powerful Storage & Joy‑Con 2 Controllers】Includes 256 GB internal storage (expandable with microSD), magnetic Joy‑Con 2 controllers, docking station, HDMI cable, AC adapter, grip, and straps — everything you need for the ultimate gaming setup.
- Console and accessory retail prices.
- Physical-game and digital-game pricing.
- Retailer margins and launch discounts.
- Inventory allocation and availability.
- Future sourcing or manufacturing decisions.
None of those possibilities should be presented as a confirmed tariff pass-through. Nintendo’s later August 2025 pricing update said Switch 2 hardware and games remained unchanged “at this time,” while warning that future adjustments could become necessary: Nintendo’s pricing update. Later changes to other Switch-family products should not be rewritten as a Switch 2 launch-price increase.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why the episode mattered beyond Nintendo
The move was unusual because Nintendo had already announced the product, price and reservation schedule, then paused U.S. reservations only days before they were due to open. The Washington Post characterized it as an early prominent consumer-electronics launch adjustment publicly linked to tariff uncertainty: its April 4 coverage.
For other hardware companies, the episode illustrated a practical trade-off. Keeping a price fixed can protect consumer clarity and retailer commitments, while waiting can reduce the risk of publishing a price before import costs and trade rules settle. Nintendo’s announcement established that it was assessing those conditions; it did not disclose which option it ultimately used internally.
Buyer takeaway
- The original U.S. pre-order date was April 9, 2025; reservations opened April 24.
- The announced U.S. launch date, June 5, 2025, remained unchanged.
- The Switch 2 opened pre-orders at the announced $449.99 console price.
- The tariff story does not prove that a duty was passed directly to buyers.
- Current availability, bundles and pricing should be checked with Nintendo or authorized retailers rather than inferred from the 2025 announcement.
For current official information, use Nintendo’s U.S. store and Nintendo’s pre-order support guidance. Retail availability can vary among Best Buy, Target, Walmart, GameStop and Amazon.
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.
