Heads up, Nintendo fans: the Switch 2 is still launching globally on June 5, but if you’re in the U.S., you’ll have to wait a bit longer to preorder. And yes—American gamers are not happy about it.
So, what’s causing all the fuss? And why is Nintendo delaying preorders only in the U.S.? Here’s the lowdown for Pinoy gamers following the news from the sidelines.
What exactly happened?
Nintendo officially announced that U.S. preorders—originally set for April 9—have been postponed. In a public statement, Nintendo said:
“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.”
So while the global launch is still pushing through, U.S. buyers will need to wait a bit longer to lock in their units.
What do tariffs have to do with it?
The delay is linked to newly introduced tariffs—taxes on imported goods—that now apply to products coming from countries like Vietnam (up to 46%) and Japan (up to 24%). Since Nintendo is based in Japan and manufactures a lot of its consoles in Vietnam, these added fees could significantly affect how much it costs to bring the Switch 2 into the U.S.
Nintendo is pausing to reassess how this might impact their pricing and strategy, rather than launching preorders with a potentially unstable or unclear price.
Why are U.S. gamers blaming Nintendo?
While some fans are simply frustrated by the delay, others are going further—accusing Nintendo of using the new tariffs as an excuse to raise prices. On social media and gaming forums, some gamers have speculated that Nintendo had already planned to price the Switch 2 higher than expected, and that the tariff situation is now being used as a convenient reason to justify it.
This kind of reaction isn’t new in the gaming world. Whenever there’s uncertainty around pricing, preorder access, or limited availability, fans often turn to skepticism. And given that the Switch 2 is priced at around $499, any suggestion of a possible increase naturally raised eyebrows.
However, it’s worth noting that Nintendo hasn’t announced any price change—only that it needs time to assess the situation. Considering the scale of the tariffs, there’s a valid financial reason for the delay. Whether the final price changes or not, Nintendo seems to be taking a cautious approach rather than rushing into a launch with unresolved logistics.
In short, while the suspicion is understandable in today’s climate of limited-edition drops and surprise price hikes, there’s no public evidence so far that Nintendo is using the situation unfairly. The frustration is real—but so is the complexity behind this kind of global product rollout.
Instead of rushing into preorders that might end up in delays, price hikes, or confusion, Nintendo is choosing to play it safe and regroup.
What does this mean for Pinoy gamers?
So far, this delay only affects the U.S. market. The June 5 global launch is still on schedule, so Filipino fans can breathe easy. However, since global supply chains are connected, it’s good to stay informed in case there are ripple effects later on.
TL;DR
U.S. gamers are upset about the delayed Switch 2 preorders, but Nintendo isn’t to blame here. Due to new tariffs that could affect production and import costs, Nintendo is taking a step back to reassess before opening up orders. It’s a smart, cautious move—even if it’s a frustrating one for fans.
