The excitement for the upcoming Switch 2 is palpable. This next-generation console aims to enhance nearly every aspect of the eight-year-old Switch, boasting impressive features such as support for 4K HDR visuals and high refresh rates, along with a playful “mouse mode” via the new Joy-Cons 2.

Along with these exciting upgrades, Nintendo shared essential information regarding the launch date, set for June 5, as well as the preorder date, originally slated for April 9. Enthusiastic Nintendo supporters likely marked this date in their calendars, perhaps even signing up for notifications from various retailers to grab their console as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, there is disappointing news: Preorders for the Switch 2 have officially been postponed.

On Friday morning, Nintendo communicated this decision to the press. Their succinct statement conveyed: “Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not begin on April 9, 2025, as we need to evaluate the potential impact of tariffs and changing market conditions. More updates will be provided regarding the timing later. The launch date of June 5, 2025 remains the same.”

There’s little doubt about why this decision was made. The import tariffs established by the previous administration on various countries, alongside reciprocated tariffs from those nations towards the United States, are influencing Nintendo’s choice to push back the preorder date for the Switch 2. Specific details concerning what the company is monitoring prior to announcing a new preorder date remain unclear, but it’s evident that the instability in global markets has turned an ordinarily enjoyable experience into a waiting game.

The implications of these developments for the pricing of the Switch 2, especially outside of Japan, are still uncertain. While the company refrained from disclosing the price during the Nintendo Direct presentation, it was revealed afterward that the MSRP would be $450. There’s a possibility that Nintendo may adjust the console’s price in response to these tariffs, effectively passing higher costs onto the consumers. In fact, prior to the delay, there was already a noticeable price difference—American buyers were preparing to pay $450 for the Switch 2 (or $500 for the Mario Kart World bundle), while their Japanese counterparts would only pay 49,980 yen, translating to around $333.