Nintendo just slowed down Switch 2 pre-orders across America. The gaming giant told Gamespot it's pausing to crunch numbers after Uncle Sam slapped new tariffs on imported electronics. In other words, pre-orders won't kick off on April 9 as planned because Nintendo needs breathing room to assess market conditions.
The planned June 5 launch remains rock solid despite the pre-order speedbump. Retail heavyweights like Best Buy, Target, and Walmart are left hanging after preparing to open pre-order floodgates. Nintendo seems worried about potential price explosions triggered by Washington's trade policies.
Japan took a whopping 24 percent tariff hit, which could send Switch 2 pricing into orbit. Current estimates suggest the console might balloon from $450 to around $560. That price jump could slam the brakes on consumer excitement and potentially freeze out budget-conscious gamers who were ready to jump on board.
Nintendo faces a tricky balancing act. They'll need to move fast and communicate clearly with fans about how these economic curveballs might reshape their console debut. Gamers are watching closely to see whether Nintendo absorbs the extra costs or passes them directly to consumers. The clock is ticking toward that June launch date.
The planned June 5 launch remains rock solid despite the pre-order speedbump. Retail heavyweights like Best Buy, Target, and Walmart are left hanging after preparing to open pre-order floodgates. Nintendo seems worried about potential price explosions triggered by Washington's trade policies.
Japan took a whopping 24 percent tariff hit, which could send Switch 2 pricing into orbit. Current estimates suggest the console might balloon from $450 to around $560. That price jump could slam the brakes on consumer excitement and potentially freeze out budget-conscious gamers who were ready to jump on board.
Nintendo faces a tricky balancing act. They'll need to move fast and communicate clearly with fans about how these economic curveballs might reshape their console debut. Gamers are watching closely to see whether Nintendo absorbs the extra costs or passes them directly to consumers. The clock is ticking toward that June launch date.
