Gamers in the UK are already flexing their thumbs in anticipation, as pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 have gone live across the pond. But for American and Canadian fans? It’s still a game of “hurry up and wait.” Despite early announcements pointing to an April 9 pre-order date, Nintendo has slammed the pause button on North American orders — and this time, it’s politics, not production, causing the delay.
The culprit? A sudden shift in U.S. trade policy. In response to steep new tariffs introduced by President Donald Trump, Nintendo opted to freeze U.S. and Canadian pre-orders while it reevaluates costs and logistics. According to Nintendo, the June 5 global launch date remains firm, but the company wants time to “assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions.” Translation: hold your rupees, folks — this is going to take a minute.
As for the tariff shake-up itself, it’s a bit of a whirlwind. While there’s been a 90-day “pause” on some of the harshest reciprocal tariffs, the rate on Chinese goods — where key console components originate — is climbing to a whopping 145%. Vietnam, one of Nintendo’s backup manufacturing hubs, was spared for now, receiving a gentler 10% tariff during the pause. As a result, speculation is swirling that Nintendo is quietly ramping up Vietnamese production to stay on schedule and maybe — just maybe — avoid passing those extra costs onto players.
Sneak Peek at the U.S. Pre-Order Process
When Nintendo does finally pull the trigger on U.S. pre-orders, expect a system that’s more “RPG questline” than “Add to Cart.” Players will need to be 18+, signed in with a Nintendo Account, and pre-registered to show interest. Then comes a coveted email invite — good for 72 hours — granting access to secure your console.
But here’s the twist: preference will go to players with at least 12 months of paid Nintendo Switch Online service and a minimum of 50 hours of gameplay logged as of April 2, 2025. Hardcore Switch fans rejoice. Casuals? Time to grind.
There’s still no confirmation on whether third-party retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, GameStop, or Target will implement similar restrictions, but Nintendo’s message is clear: loyalty gets you in the door first.
Hardware Upgrades That Actually Matter
While the wait drags on, we at least have a clear view of what players are waiting for. The Switch 2 isn’t just an iterative update — it’s a sizable leap forward:
- Display: A crisp 7.9-inch LCD screen rocking 1080p, HDR, and a buttery smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
- TV Mode: 4K output when docked, thanks to boosted internals.
- New Joy-Con 2: Featuring mouse-like controls, a gyroscope for tilt precision, and a mysterious new “C button” tied to Game Chat, Nintendo’s long-overdue built-in voice system.
- Cooling & Audio: An improved speaker system and a dock with an actual fan, so your marathon sessions stay cool — literally.
- Ports & Storage: Dual USB-C charging ports, 256GB of base storage, and support for modern microSD Express cards.
The Accessory Drop
Launching alongside the console will be a suite of fresh gear, including:
- Switch 2 Camera – $50
- Switch 2 Pro Controller – $80
- Extra Joy-Con 2 Set – $90
- Joy-Con Charging Grip – $35
Of course, whether those prices survive the ongoing tariff shuffle is another question entirely.
Pre-Order Launchpad
Whenever pre-orders go live, you’ll likely find them at:
- Nintendo (direct)
- Amazon
- Walmart
- GameStop
- Best Buy
- Target
So if you’re in the U.S. or Canada, sit tight, stay locked in to your favorite retailers, and keep an eye on Nintendo’s social feeds. Until the day arrives, it’s all about patience — and maybe planning which launch title you’ll dive into first (Mario Kart World or Donkey Kong Bonanza, anyone?).
