Nintendo Switch 2 preorder date set after delay over tariffs
Tariff fight continues between U.S. and China
Oklahoma State University's Sunderesh Heragu joins LiveNOW's Austin Westfall to discuss the evolving economic landscape after President Trump implemented tariffs on some of our biggest trade partners. Most tariffs have been halted for now -- but not with China.
Nintendo Switch 2 preorders will launch next week after an initial delay over President Trump’s tariffs.
Preorders were initially set for April 9, but after Trump announced widespread tariffs, the company pushed back the date to assess the impact of the import taxes.
Nintendo, like most electronics companies, manufactures their products in Asia. Nintendo’s Switch 1 consoles were made in China and Vietnam, according to Reuters. Trump has imposed 145% tariffs on China and 10% on Vietnam.
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Nintendo Switch 2 preorder date
Preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2 will be available on April 24.
An announcement for the Nintendo Switch 2 is displayed at a Gamestop store in Union Square on April 04, 2025 in New York, New York. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
The consoles will hit the market on June 5.
Nintendo Switch 2 cost
By the numbers:
Nintendo said the Switch 2 price will remain unchanged despite the tariffs. It will cost $449.99. However, the company said accessories for the Switch 2 will cost more.
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According to CNBC, the dock set will cost $10 more, the controller strap will cost $1 more and most other accessories will cost $5 more.
What they’re saying: "Other adjustments to the price of any Nintendo product are also possible in the future depending on market conditions," Nintendo said.
Nintendo Switch 2 new features
A look back at the Nintendo Entertainment System
There have been many versions of Nintendo video game consoles, but the one that immediately comes to mind for many is the original NES. Here’s a look at how it was covered on KDFW on December 14, 1987 and on KTVU on December 18, 1988.
Dig deeper: Video and audio chats and game-sharing functions are huge parts of the new console. One of the Switch 2’s Joy-Cons — it’s controllers — even has a "C" button to quickly access "GameChat." Click the button and up pops window views to others players’ gameplay, lined up at the bottom of the user’s screen in squares like a video conference call.
A camera attachment — sold separately — allows gamers to project themselves into those windows instead of sharing their own screen, while some games let the camera-user appear in the game itself. A microphone is now built into the console for audio.
Another feature, "GameShare," allows users to share the game they are playing temporarily with other consoles that don’t have it.
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And then there’s a function to control the console’s Joy-Cons like a computer mouse — an appeal toward the growing PC-based gaming audience — something developers are excited for people to try.
"Because of the environment were in, it’s a hands-on experience," Takuhiro Dohta, the console’s director, said through a translator at the media event.
Kouichi Kawamoto, the Switch 2’s producer, called the mouse feature a "fun," "engaging" way to experience gaming.
It can be used on multiple surfaces, not just a mouse pad, he said.
"We have made adjustments so that you can control the mouse on your pants," Kawamoto said through a translator about sitting down and using your own leg as a mouse surface. "There were some people in development where that was their preferred way of playing."
The Source: This report includes information from Nintendo, Reuters, CNBC and The Associated Press.