Topline
Nintendo told Forbes Friday it is delaying pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 “in order to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions,” just days after the company revealed the higher-than-expected price of the Switch 2.
Two men use an Oled model Nintendo Switch gaming system while playing video games at the Japanese … More
Key Facts
Pre-orders for the new device were set to start on April 9, but are being delayed to an unknown date, Nintendo said.
Despite the pushed back pre-order date, the company said there is no change in the June 5 launch date for the highly anticipated gaming console.
Nintendo released information about the Switch 2—its first new gaming console in eight years—Wednesday, and said its launch price would be $449.99, which is significantly more than the original Switch launched at.
Forbes has reached out to Nintendo for comment.
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Key Background
Some analysts were attributing the high price of the Switch 2 to tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump prior to Nintendo’s Friday statement. Joost van Dreunen, a New York University Stern School of Business professor who teaches about the business of video games, told Forbes earlier this week Trump’s tariffs levied on China and Vietnam have put pressure on the supply chain and hit Nintendo at its “most vulnerable moment.” In 2019, Nintendo said it was moving Switch production facilities to Vietnam in an effort to avoid tariffs placed on China. Kantan Games consultancy founder Serkan Toto told the Financial Times earlier this week the high price of the console “suggested Nintendo was building a buffer in case tariffs hit supply chains harder than expected.” On Wednesday, which Trump was calling “Liberation Day,” the president announced “reciprocal tariffs” against more than 180 countries, with a base tariff of 10% for goods. Trump announced a new 34% tariff against China (on top of an existing 20% tariff, pushing China’s rate to 54%) and a 46% tariff against Vietnam.
Further Reading
Nintendo Surprises With Switch 2 Price Hike—As Trump Imposes Tariffs On China And Vietnam (Forbes)
What To Know About The Switch 2 As Nintendo Readies Its First Console Launch In 8 Years (Forbes)
Nintendo delays Switch 2 preorders over tariff concerns (The Verge)
Here’s The Full List Of Trump’s Reciprocal Tariffs Announced Wednesday (Forbes)
