On April 11, 2025, the vibrant atmosphere of the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience filled the ExCeL London international exhibition and convention centre, as attendees eagerly engaged with interactive displays and demonstrations showcasing the latest gaming console. One enthusiastic participant, donned in a colorful Super Mario costume, was seen joyfully playing a video game using the newly unveiled Nintendo Switch 2 game console.

In a recent announcement made on Friday, Nintendo revealed that retail preorders for its highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 will officially commence on April 24, 2025, with the starting price set at $449.99. This pricing aligns with the original estimate unveiled by the company earlier in the month.

The preorder date had initially been scheduled for April 9, but the company decided to postpone it in order to better understand the ramifications of recently implemented tariffs introduced by former President Donald Trump. These tariffs, aimed at China and Vietnamwhere most electronics, including Nintendo products, are manufacturedhave raised concerns across the industry. Trumps administration announced a hefty 145% tariff on imports from China, along with a 10% tariff on goods from Vietnam, reduced from an earlier 46% rate due to a temporary pause for negotiation.

Nintendo explained that the decision to delay the preorder was partly to alleviate uncertainty for its consumers amid these changes. The company expressed its gratitude towards customers for their understanding and patience: "We apologize for the retail pre-order delay, and hope this reduces some of the uncertainty our consumers may be experiencing. We thank our customers for their patience, and we share their excitement to experience Nintendo Switch 2 starting June 5, 2025."

Alongside the base console, Nintendo also announced bundled offers. The Nintendo Switch 2 will be available as a package with the highly anticipated game Mario Kart World for a combined price of $499.99. For those looking to purchase the digital version of Mario Kart World, the cost will be $79.99, while another upcoming title, Donkey Kong Bananza, will be available digitally for $69.99. All these prices remain unchanged from Nintendo's initial announcements.

However, customers should note that there will be price adjustments on accessories for the Nintendo Switch 2. For instance, the cost of the dock set will increase by $10, the controller strap will be $1 more, and many other accessories will see a rise of about $5. Nintendo has also cautioned that further price modifications might occur for any of its products in the future.

As the excitement continues to build around the Nintendo Switch 2, industry experts are analyzing whether the company will effectively convince casual gamers to make the upgrade from the original Switch. Kantan Games mentioned in a recent report that Nintendo still has significant work to do in this area.