Hold onto your Joy-Cons, folks! The Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order rollercoaster is still in full swing, with U.S. and Canadian fans left hanging after an abrupt delay. 😮 Originally set for April 9, 2025, pre-orders were yanked faster than a Mario Kart blue shell thanks to some hefty tariffs announced by none other than President Trump. Nintendo’s official word? “We’re assessing the impact of tariffs and market conditions.” Translation: Stay tuned, gamers.
But here’s the tea ☕: Whispers in the gaming alley suggest pre-orders might flicker to life as early as April 23 or 30. Yet, without Nintendo’s stamp of approval, these dates are as reliable as a Waluigi appearance in Smash Bros.
Why the Hold-Up?
Trump’s tariff tango has the gaming world in a twist, with rates on Chinese goods skyrocketing to a jaw-dropping 245 percent. Nintendo, ever the strategist, had already started shifting some Switch production to Vietnam back in 2019. With Vietnam’s reciprocal tariff now on a 90-day pause at a milder 10 percent, the plot thickens. Could Nintendo ramp up Vietnamese production to dodge the bullet and keep the June 5 launch date? Or will they bite the bullet and sell at a loss? Only time will tell.
How to Pre-order Like a Pro
When the gates finally open, you’ll have your pick of the litter: Nintendo direct, Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart, and more. But here’s the kicker: Nintendo’s playing favorites. To snag a direct invite, you’ll need a Nintendo account, be 18+, and have a Switch Online membership with at least 12 months paid and 50 gameplay hours logged by April 2, 2025. Talk about loyalty rewards!
What’s New with the Switch 2?
Bigger screen? Check. Joy-Con 2 with a C button and mouse controls? Check. Built-in mic for Game Chat? Check. The Switch 2 is packing a 7.9-inch LCD with 120Hz, HDR, and 1080p glory, plus 4K when docked. And for the accessory aficionados, there’s a new camera, Pro controller, and more—though tariffs might play spoiler with prices.
So, gamers, keep those fingers crossed and wallets ready. The Switch 2 saga continues, and we’re all just living in it. 🎮
