Today, Nintendo announced that pre-orders for the Switch 2 will finally kick off in the United States on April 24. Despite some earlier hiccups, the pricing for this next-generation gaming system remains steady, starting at $449.99. There’s also an enticing bundle option which includes Mario Kart World, priced at $499.99.
Initially, Nintendo had to put a pause on pre-orders due to uncertainties caused by tariffs and fluctuating market conditions. These unpredictable factors had prompted the company to reassess its initial launch strategy.
However, not all prices will remain the same. Accessories for the Switch 2 are climbing in cost. For instance, the Joy-Con 2 controllers, which were initially pegged at $89.99, have now increased to $94.99. Additionally, the Pro Controller sees a similar rise, moving from $79.99 to $84.99. Prices for the camera, dock set, wheel set, and charging grips are also inching upward.
In their announcement, Nintendo didn’t rule out future price adjustments, citing market conditions as a potential factor for change.
The official launch date for the system is still set for June 5. Interestingly, pre-orders were initially meant to start earlier on April 9, but a last-minute overlap with President Donald Trump’s announcement about a wave of tariffs caused a delay. Trump later instituted a 90-day pause on many of these tariffs, sparing increases on tariffs affecting Chinese goods.
Fans can take some solace in the fact that game prices remain unchanged. Titles like “Mario Kart World” and “Donkey Kong Bonanza” (slated for release on July 17) will continue to retail at $79.99 and $69.99, respectively.
The Switch 2 brings notable upgrades to the table, boasting a larger screen equipped with HDR support, an extra USB Type-C port, and a beefed-up graphics chip courtesy of Nvidia.
However, the system’s $449.99 price point is significantly higher than its predecessor, the original Switch, which launched at $299.99. This disparity has led to a flurry of discussions among fans, many of whom have expressed a desire for a price reduction.
Alongside these details, Nintendo issued an apology for the pre-order delay, expressing hopes that this clarity will alleviate some of the concerns that their customers have been grappling with.
