Nintendo postponed U.S. Switch 2 pre-orders in April 2025 so it could assess the potential impact of tariffs and changing market conditions. The company said the console’s June 5, 2025 launch date was unchanged. The postponement was not an announcement of a price increase; Nintendo later raised the U.S. suggested retail price to $499.99, effective September 1, 2026.
Why were U.S. Switch 2 pre-orders delayed?
On April 4, 2025, Nintendo said pre-orders in the United States would not begin on April 9 as planned. Its statement said the company needed time “to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions” and would announce a new preorder timing later. Nintendo also explicitly said the June 5, 2025 launch date was unchanged. Reuters and TechCrunch reproduced the statement at the time.
| # | 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 |
The announcement concerned when U.S. customers could place pre-orders—not a change to the launch date or a newly announced console price. Tariff exposure and pricing were being discussed in contemporary coverage, but Nintendo’s April statement did not say that it had decided to raise the price.
Did tariffs cause a price increase?
Nintendo’s later comments explain how tariffs can factor into its pricing without establishing that tariffs alone caused a particular price decision. In the May 9, 2025 Q&A accompanying its fiscal-year results, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa said the company’s basic policy was to recognize tariffs as part of a country or region’s costs and incorporate them into prices. He said Nintendo would consider appropriate adjustments if its assumptions changed, while taking market conditions into account.
Recommended Free Tools
#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 also said its forecast used tariff rates effective April 10, 2025. In that forecast context, the company said North American hardware was mainly produced in Vietnam, while some accessories and amiibo were made in China. It did not disclose tariff impacts for individual products. Those statements describe the company’s assumptions and production context for that forecast; they are not a product-by-product accounting or a guarantee of current manufacturing locations.
What happened to Nintendo’s shares?
Nintendo Life reported on April 7, 2025, citing Bloomberg, that Nintendo’s Tokyo-listed shares had fallen 10% following tariff news and the preorder postponement. That is a contemporaneous report of a market move, not evidence that the delay by itself caused the entire decline. The reported timing places the move amid broader tariff-related news and changing market conditions.
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.***
What is the U.S. Switch 2 price now?
Nintendo’s May 8, 2026 investor briefing listed a U.S. suggested retail price revision for the Switch 2 console from $449.99 to $499.99, effective September 1, 2026. U.S. prices exclude tax. As of October 5, 2026, $499.99 is the listed U.S. suggested retail price; $449.99 is the historical launch price, not the current listed price.
A suggested retail price is not a guarantee of a particular retailer’s price or stock. The figures above are Nintendo’s stated U.S. prices and exclude tax; retailer availability and inventory can vary.
Quick Recap
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.
Key dates
- April 2, 2025: Nintendo announced that Switch 2 would release June 5, 2025.
- April 4, 2025: Nintendo postponed the planned April 9 U.S. preorder start to assess tariffs and evolving market conditions, while keeping the June 5 launch date.
- April 7, 2025: Nintendo Life reported a 10% fall in Nintendo’s Tokyo-listed shares, attributing the figure to Bloomberg.
- May 9, 2025: Nintendo discussed tariff assumptions and its pricing policy in its fiscal-year results Q&A.
- September 1, 2026: Nintendo’s revised U.S. suggested retail price of $499.99 took effect.
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.
