Nintendo has just announced that they’ll be opening up pre-orders for the highly anticipated Switch 2 on April 24 in the United States. Excitingly, the pricing remains steady, with the console starting at $449.99. If you’re eyeing the bundle that includes Mario Kart World, that’ll be priced at $499.99.
Originally, U.S. pre-orders hit a snag right after the console was first revealed. The delay was a strategic move by Nintendo as they needed time to consider how tariffs and changing market dynamics might play a role in pricing and availability.
It’s worth noting, though, that some accessory prices are on the rise. The Joy-Con 2 controllers, which were initially set to retail at $89.99, have now jumped to $94.99. Similarly, the Pro Controller has seen a price increment from $79.99 to $84.99. Alongside these, other accessories like the Switch 2 camera, dock set, wheel set, and charging grips will also cost a bit more.
Nintendo’s press release hints that more price tweaks for their products might occur based on how the market landscape evolves.
Even with these changes, the Switch 2 is gearing up for its official launch on June 5. Initially, pre-orders were intended to start on April 9, but then came an unexpected hurdle. That same day, President Donald Trump declared a comprehensive tariff initiative. By April 9, Trump had decided on a 90-day halt on many tariffs, sparing only the increase in tariffs on goods from China.
On the gaming front, titles like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Banaza, the latter releasing on July 17, are staying put in terms of their price—a decision many will appreciate. Mario Kart World will retail at $79.99, while Donkey Kong Banaza holds a tag of $69.99.
The new Switch 2 brings some exciting enhancements compared to its predecessor. Among the highlights are a bigger screen boasting HDR support, an additional USB Type-C port, and a beefier graphics chip courtesy of Nvidia.
Naturally, the $449.99 price might feel a bit steep compared to the $299.99 launch price of the original Switch. This has led fans to flood Nintendo’s online platforms with pleas to reconsider the pricing.
Apologetically, Nintendo acknowledged the delay and expressed their hope that this transparency eases some of the concerns and uncertainties their customers might have been experiencing.
