Nintendo has announced that pre-orders for the Switch 2 console in the United States will open on April 24. Pricing remains the same, with the base system starting at $449.99. There’s also a bundle available for $499.99, which includes Mario Kart World.
The initial delay in pre-orders was due to Nintendo needing to evaluate the potential effects of tariffs and changing market conditions. Consequently, they postponed pre-orders following the console’s initial reveal.
Some accessories for the Switch 2 are seeing a price increase. The Joy-Con 2 controllers, originally priced at $89.99, will now cost $94.99. The Pro Controller is also getting a slight bump, rising from $79.99 to $84.99. Prices for other accessories like the camera, dock set, wheel set, and charging grips are also going up.
The company hinted that more price adjustments could happen in the future, depending on the market landscape. Despite these changes, the Switch 2 is still slated to hit the shelves on June 5.
Originally, pre-orders were planned for April 9, but complications arose because the announcement coincided with President Donald Trump’s introduction of significant tariff measures. Trump later announced a 90-day suspension of many tariffs, though some on Chinese imports remained.
Luckily, the prices for popular games like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza aren’t slated to change. These games will retail for $79.99 and $69.99, respectively, with Donkey Kong Bananza launching on July 17.
The Switch 2 boasts a series of enhancements over its predecessor, including a bigger display with HDR capabilities, an additional USB Type-C port, and a more robust graphics chip from Nvidia. However, with a starting price of $449.99, it’s notably pricier than the original Nintendo Switch, which was introduced at $299.99. This pricing decision has led many fans to voice their desire for a price cut on various online forums.
Nintendo’s announcement addressing the delay also included an apology for any inconvenience caused, with hopes of alleviating concerns among its customer base.
