Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders: prices, delays, updates

Nintendo fans in the U.S. and Canada will have to wait a bit longer before they can secure a pre-order for the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2. The gaming giant has officially postponed its planned April 9, 2025, pre-order launch, citing uncertainty caused by recent tariff changes introduced by President Donald Trump. In a statement shared with Engadget, the company clarified: “Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not start April 9, 2025 in order to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions. Nintendo will update timing at a later date. The launch date of June 5, 2025 is unchanged.”

The delay comes after Trump announced extensive tariffs aimed at China and several other countries, which include an astounding 245% tariff on Chinese imports. Although a 90-day pause on many of these tariffs has now been implemented, the uncertainty has already affected Nintendo’s rollout plans. The company previously moved some Switch manufacturing to Vietnam in 2019, and with the Vietnamese tariff currently paused at 10%—down from the initially proposed 46%—there’s speculation that Nintendo may accelerate production there. Industry chatter suggests pre-orders could begin as early as April 23 or April 30, though Nintendo has not confirmed those dates.

How and Where to Pre-Order the Nintendo Switch 2

Once pre-orders finally open, customers will be able to reserve the console directly from Nintendo or through major retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, GameStop, Best Buy, and Target. But Nintendo has introduced a few new hoops for eager fans. As stated on the official pre-order page, buyers must be at least 18 years old, possess a Nintendo account, and express their interest by registering.Invitations to pre-order will be emailed out and will remain valid for only 72 hours.

Here’s the kicker: “Invitation emails will be prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis to registrants who have purchased a Nintendo Switch Online membership with a minimum of 12 months of paid membership and a minimum of 50 total gameplay hours, as of April 2, 2025.” It remains uncertain whether these requirements will extend to third-party retailers.

What We Know About the Switch 2 So Far

First teased in a recent Nintendo Direct, the Switch 2 promises several upgrades. The revamped Joy-Con 2 controllers feature a new “C” button, built-in gyroscope, and mouse controls. The console will also include a built-in mic for a new “Game Chat” feature, letting players talk with friends during gameplay. It sports a larger 7.9-inch LCD display with 1080p resolution, HDR, and a 120Hz refresh rate.

When docked, the system will support 4K gaming and feature improved internal speakers, a cooling fan, and dual USB-C ports. Storage has been upgraded to 256GB, expandable via microSD Express cards. Accessories—sold separately—include a $50 Switch 2 camera, $80 Pro controller, $90 Joy-Con 2 pair, and a $35 charging grip. Whether these prices hold under the new tariff climate remains to be seen.

In the meantime, fans may want to brush up on their gameplay hours and online memberships—because when the gates finally open, it’s likely to be a frenzy.

Image: Nintendo Switch