Nintendo recently made waves by announcing the delay of U.S. pre-orders for its eagerly anticipated Switch 2 console. This decision followed shortly after the White House declared tariffs affecting most countries globally.
In a statement sent to Tom’s Hardware, Nintendo elaborated, “Pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not begin on April 9, 2025, as we are currently evaluating the potential impact of these tariffs alongside changing market dynamics.” They further assured fans that, although pre-order dates might shift, the official launch is still on track for June 5, 2025.
The announcement of the Switch 2 came on a busy Wednesday, with a starting price of $449. Since Nintendo’s consoles are primarily manufactured in China and Vietnam, it finds itself in a bit of a bind. Even though the U.S. had already been eyeing increased tariffs on Chinese imports, products made in Vietnam were supposed to bypass these financial hits. However, the recent decision by the Trump administration means this may no longer be the case.
Caught off guard by the comprehensive scope of the new tariffs, Nintendo finds itself in a tight spot. Tariffs on Chinese goods have spiked to 54%, while imports from Vietnam now face an unexpected 46% duty. Given this scenario, Nintendo’s set price for the Switch 2 could face revision. This presents a tricky situation for both the company and eager buyers, especially considering the new console’s price is significantly higher than the original Switch. Yet, fans remain hopeful that Nintendo can stick to its initial price point when the console hits the market in June.
Vietnamese journalists have speculated that the hefty 46% tariff might be a strategic move by Trump to bring Vietnam to the discussion table. Shortly, Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc plans to visit the U.S., potentially seeking concessions that could see these taxes reduced.
However, if these tariffs stick around until the console’s launch, Nintendo may find itself reluctantly transferring some of these costs to the consumers, likely driving up the retail price in the U.S. This would undoubtedly dishearten Nintendo’s broad fan base. Yet, in light of these broad-reaching tariffs, Nintendo is certainly not the lone entity grappling with such challenges.
