Nintendo announced the Switch 2 will launch on June 5, 2025, but said U.S. preorders originally scheduled to begin April 9, 2025, have been postponed after U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled new tariffs on imports from Japan. The company said it is delaying the preorder timeline to assess potential impacts of the tariffs and changing market conditions.
Company postpones U.S. preorder start
Nintendo representative Eddie Garcia told The Verge that U.S. preorders for the Switch 2 “will not begin on April 9, 2025” while the company evaluates the tariffs’ potential effects. Garcia’s statement said Nintendo will update the preorder schedule at a later date but that the console’s June 5, 2025 release date remains unchanged.
“As preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not begin on April 9, 2025 to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions. Nintendo will update the schedule at a later date. The June 5, 2025 launch date remains unchanged.” Eddie Garcia, Nintendo representative
Garcia added that there is currently no new date for when U.S. customers can place preorders. The company had planned to send invites with a direct purchase link starting May 8, but it is unclear if or when those invitations will be distributed.
Why the change: 24% tariffs on Japanese goods
President Trump released a tariff table announcing a 24% tax on imports from Japan. Because Nintendo is a Japanese company, the announced tariffs could affect the cost or logistics of selling the Switch 2 in the U.S., prompting the company to pause its preorder rollout while it evaluates the situation.
Switch 2 specifications and price
The Switch 2 was revealed during a Nintendo Direct event on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. Nintendo described multiple hardware and feature upgrades aimed at improving the player experience.
- The console will measure 20 centimeters in length, larger than the previous model, while keeping the same thickness;
- It will offer 1080p resolution with double the pixels of its predecessor, support up to 120 fps, compatibility with 4K gaming, and include an LCD display with HDR;
- Joy-con style controllers will use magnetic sticks and one controller will include motion-aware mouse-like input;
- The system will have a built-in microphone, an adjusted audio system that includes surround sound, and internal ventilation;
- New Game Chat features will enable messaging, voice, and video interactions among players;
- Launch titles include a new version of Mario Kart World, Cyberpunk 2077, and NBA 2K25.
In the United States, Nintendo set the Switch 2 price at $449.99 (roughly R$2,850 before taxes). Some features, such as GameChat, will require a subscription.
