Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders: Everything you need to know about prices, delays and more

Engadget - Apr 8th, 2025

Folks in the UK can pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2, but Americans are facing delays. Nintendo has postponed U.S. pre-orders for the Switch 2 indefinitely, though the launch date of June 5, 2025, remains unchanged. This delay follows new tariffs announced by President Donald Trump, prompting Nintendo to reassess market conditions. Originally slated for April 9, 2025, pre-orders have been postponed with no new date yet announced. Nintendo's decision is a response to economic uncertainties and potential cost impacts, although the console's starting price remains at $450 as initially planned.

The decision to delay pre-orders in the U.S. underlines the significant impact that geopolitical and economic policies can have on the gaming industry. With tariffs potentially affecting pricing and supply chains, Nintendo is taking precautionary measures to avoid adverse effects on their market strategy. The Switch 2 comes with significant hardware upgrades, including a larger screen and new features like improved Joy-Cons and Game Chat. The delay may affect the competitive landscape in the U.S. market, as consumers await further announcements from Nintendo and participating retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart.

Donald Trump Tariffs Nintendo Switch 2 U.S. Market Gaming Console Pre Order Delay

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RATING

7.6

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a largely accurate and timely overview of the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order situation, with credible sourcing from Nintendo and Engadget. It effectively communicates key information about the delay in U.S. pre-orders due to tariffs and evolving market conditions. However, the story could benefit from a broader exploration of potential impacts on pricing and availability, as well as more diverse sourcing to enhance its comprehensiveness. While it addresses a topic of public interest, particularly for consumers and gaming enthusiasts, its potential impact on broader societal or policy changes is limited. Overall, the article succeeds in informing readers about a current issue but could improve in areas such as balance and engagement by incorporating more perspectives and interactive elements.

Accuracy

The news story is largely accurate, as it correctly reports the delay of Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders in the U.S. due to tariffs and evolving market conditions. This is supported by Nintendo's statement to Engadget and other outlets. The original pre-order date of April 9, 2025, and the unchanged launch date of June 5, 2025, are also accurately reported. However, the claim that the starting price of $450 may change due to tariffs is speculative, as no official confirmation on price adjustments has been provided. Additionally, while the article mentions participating retailers, it does not provide direct confirmation from those retailers, leaving some room for verification.

Balance

The article presents a balanced view of the situation by discussing both the U.S. and UK pre-order statuses, thus providing an international perspective. However, it primarily focuses on the impact of tariffs announced by President Trump, which could be perceived as attributing the delay to a single factor without exploring other potential reasons or viewpoints. The story could benefit from a broader exploration of how Nintendo's global strategy might affect pre-orders and availability.

Clarity

The article is clear and well-structured, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the key points of Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders. The language is straightforward, making it easy for readers to comprehend the situation. However, the inclusion of speculative elements about pricing and third-party retailer processes could confuse readers without further clarification.

Source quality

The article cites credible sources such as Nintendo's statement to Engadget, which adds to its reliability. Engadget is a well-regarded technology news outlet, lending authority to the claims made. However, the article could improve by including more diverse sources or statements from retailers or industry analysts to provide a more comprehensive view of the situation.

Transparency

The article is transparent in disclosing its main source, Nintendo's statement to Engadget, and provides clear information about the pre-order delay and launch dates. However, it lacks detailed explanation on how tariffs might influence pricing or how the pre-order process will be handled by third-party retailers. Greater transparency about these uncertainties would enhance the reader's understanding of the potential impacts on consumers.