The global gaming scene is bracing for disruption as Nintendo announces a pause on pre-orders for the much-anticipated Switch 2, a decision influenced by rising tariffs under President Trump’s ongoing trade war.

Originally set to kick off on April 9 in the U.S. and Canada, pre-orders will now be delayed as Nintendo assesses the implications of these tariffs on its pricing strategy. Don't worry, though—the official launch date remains unchanged at June 5.

Industry insiders suggest that Nintendo is playing it smart by taking a moment to evaluate the financial landscape. Jeanel Alvarado, CEO of Retailboss, highlighted that the new tariffs need to be factored into these pre-order calculations since they were not in play when initial pricing was established.

Tariff Trouble for Gamers

This isn't the first time Nintendo has felt the sting of Trump’s trade policies. Back in 2019, the company pivoted some production away from China to Vietnam to avoid tariffs. Now, ironically, both countries are affected by tariffs that could double the costs if shipments are made.

The cascading effects are likely to hit gamers hard on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border. Alvarado explained how the supply chain complicates everything: Nintendo ships products from Asia to the U.S. for pre-orders, only to incur additional tariffs when moving products to Canada.

Gaming Prices on the Rise?

Experts predict that console gamers will bear the brunt of these tariff-induced price hikes more than PC gamers. Titles like Mario Kart 8 are already seeing higher retail prices, causing chatter and concern among fans.

As retail costs rise, so will consumer prices. Alvarado indicated that Nintendo might adjust the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), meaning more cash out of your pocket for consoles and games.

E-Commerce on Edge

Retail giants like Amazon and other e-commerce platforms that rely on imports will also feel the pressure of these tariffs. Eyal Elazar, a U.S.-based retail expert, warned that prices for hot products such as the Nintendo Switch 2, iPhone SE, and AirPods Pro 3 could skyrocket in the coming months.

If tariffs persist, companies might be forced to scale back production, leading to shortages and delays on popular items. Alvarado concluded, “Consumers can expect to see more delays, discontinued products, and a focus on high-margin items to combat increasing costs.”

Stay tuned, as the gaming landscape is set for some dramatic changes!