Nintendo has announced a sudden delay in the Canadian pre-orders for the upcoming Switch 2 console, just one day before they were originally set to begin. According to an official statement, the decision was made to synchronize the Canadian release with the now-postponed U.S. pre-order schedule, which was pushed back due to new tariff policies introduced by President Trump.
Original Plans and Abrupt Changes
The company unveiled the Nintendo Switch 2 during a major Direct presentation on April 2, confirming a launch price of $450 and promising that pre-orders would open on April 9 for both the United States and Canada. However, just two days later, Nintendo halted U.S. pre-orders in response to the newly announced tariffs. Now, Canada faces the same delay.
Official Statement From Nintendo of Canada
Nintendo of Canada released a message through Jonathan Ore, a senior writer for CBC Radio, stating that pre-orders in the region will not begin on April 9, 2025. This move was made to align with the new timeline for U.S. pre-orders, which is still pending. The company promised to share more details soon and emphasized that the June 5, 2025 launch date remains unchanged.
Fan Backlash Over Pricing
Last week’s reveal of the console’s cost and its accompanying games sparked strong reactions online. Many consumers criticized the $80 price tag attached to Mario Kart World, one of the Switch 2’s launch titles. Although there was speculation that the $450 console price was influenced by the tariffs, Doug Bowser, president of Nintendo of America, stated that the cost was not connected to the recent economic changes.
No Launch Delay for Now
Despite the postponed pre-orders, the Switch 2 is still scheduled for simultaneous release in both the U.S. and Canada on June 5. While the pricing remains unchanged for now, Nintendo has yet to indicate any shifts in strategy beyond pre-order timing.