Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Orders Open April 24 at $449.99: Price Maintained Despite Tariff Pressures

Published April 18, 2025 | Updated: April 18, 2025

Nintendo has officially announced that pre-orders for the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 will begin on April 24, 2025 in the United States and Canada. The company confirmed that the console will maintain its original price point of $449.99 for the standard edition and $499.99 for the Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle, despite recent tariff concerns that had delayed the pre-order launch.

In a surprising move that will please gamers’ wallets, Nintendo is holding firm on its base console pricing despite economic pressures. However, the company did announce modest price increases for various Switch 2 accessories, citing “market conditions” as the driving factor.

Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Order Details

After a brief delay due to tariff concerns, Nintendo has confirmed that Switch 2 pre-orders will open on April 24 in both the United States and Canada. The console is scheduled for a worldwide release on June 5, 2025, giving eager fans just over a month between pre-order and launch.

In its official announcement, Nintendo apologized for the pre-order delay, which was initially set to begin on April 9 following the company’s Direct presentation in early April. The delay came after President Trump announced sweeping tariffs on Chinese imports, creating uncertainty about consumer electronics pricing.

While Nintendo has maintained the base console pricing, the company noted that “other adjustments to the price of any Nintendo product are also possible in the future depending on market conditions,” suggesting that they’re leaving the door open for potential price increases if economic factors change.

Tariff Impact on Nintendo’s Pricing Strategy

The gaming industry has been closely monitoring how Nintendo would respond to the recent tariff announcements. After President Trump initially announced sweeping tariffs on China and 75 other countries, Nintendo made the decision to delay its pre-order launch that was originally scheduled for April 9.

In a subsequent development, President Trump announced a 90-day pause on steep “reciprocal” tariffs affecting those 75 countries, though he also stated that tariffs on Chinese imports would increase even further (currently up to 245 percent for China).

Nintendo’s decision to maintain its original pricing for the Switch 2 console stands in contrast to Sony’s approach with the PlayStation 5, which saw multiple price increases in various regions since its launch. This move could potentially give Nintendo a competitive edge, particularly as the company aims to build on the success of the original Switch, which has sold over 130 million units worldwide.

How to Pre-Order the Nintendo Switch 2

Gamers eager to secure a Nintendo Switch 2 will have multiple options for pre-ordering on April 24. Whether you prefer to order directly from Nintendo or through major retailers, here’s what you need to know:

Pre-Ordering from Nintendo

If you plan to pre-order directly from Nintendo, there are some important requirements to be aware of. According to Nintendo’s official pre-order page:

• You must be 18 years or older
• You need to sign in with your Nintendo account
• You must register your interest in pre-ordering
• You’ll receive an invitation email when it’s time to place your pre-order
• The invitation will be valid for 72 hours

Pre-Ordering from Retail Partners

For those who prefer not to pre-order directly from Nintendo, or who don’t meet the Nintendo Switch Online priority requirements, the Switch 2 will also be available for pre-order through participating retailers including:

• Amazon
• Best Buy
• GameStop
• Walmart
• Other major electronics retailers

It’s currently unclear whether these third-party retailers will implement similar restrictions or priority systems for pre-orders. It’s advisable to check with your preferred retailer for specific pre-order policies as we get closer to the April 24 date.

Switch 2 Accessories and Price Adjustments

While Nintendo is maintaining the base price for the Switch 2 console, several accessories will see modest price increases. Here’s a breakdown of the announced price adjustments:

These price adjustments reflect the impact of “market conditions” according to Nintendo, which likely refers to both the tariff situation and increased manufacturing costs. The consistent $5 increase across accessories suggests Nintendo is attempting to minimize the impact on consumers while addressing these economic factors.

Nintendo Switch 2 Technical Specifications

Nintendo has shared extensive details about the Switch 2’s hardware capabilities during its Direct presentation at the beginning of April. The new console offers significant upgrades over its predecessor in several key areas:

The Switch 2 represents a substantial step up in hardware capabilities while maintaining the hybrid console design that made the original Switch so popular. The increased base storage and higher resolution display address two common criticisms of the first-generation model, while new features like Game Chat bring the platform more in line with competitors’ social capabilities.

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