Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-orders in the US and Canada Extended Until April 24: Due to the impact of tariff policies, accessory prices have increased, and "Mario Kart World" will launch simultaneously.

Taiwan • Business • 04/19 06:37
Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-orders in the US and Canada Extended Until April 24: Due to the impact of tariff policies, accessory prices have increased, and "Mario Kart World" will launch simultaneously.

Nintendo originally planned to open pre-orders for the Switch 2 in the United States on April 9, 2025, but it was paused due to the announcement by former U.S. President Trump of a new tariff policy on April 8. After reassessment, Nintendo will reopen pre-orders for the U.S. and Canada on April 24, with the console and game prices remaining unchanged, but several peripheral accessories will have increased prices. The Switch 2 will be released on June 5, featuring the launch game "Mario Kart World" and offering bundle packages.

Key Updates

04/19 15:35

Mazda has temporarily suspended CX-50 exports to Canada due to the US-Canada trade tariff conflict, leading to inventory shortages for dealers.

Mazda Motor Corporation announced on April 18, 2025, that due to the trade conflict between the United States and Canada, it will temporarily suspend exports of the CX-50 from its Alabama plant to Canada starting May 12. This decision is in response to the United States imposing tariffs on Canadian goods and Canada's retaliatory tariffs. Mazda emphasized that this suspension is indefinite, and future supply is uncertain. Canadian dealerships have only a small amount of inventory remaining, and once sold out, there will be no restocking, resulting in a gap in the local product lineup.

04/19 14:37

The U.S. toy industry is under pressure due to Chinese tariffs, which may impact Christmas sales.

The United States has imposed tariffs as high as 145% on Chinese goods, causing a major impact on the toy industry. As a key industry dependent on the Chinese supply chain, toy manufacturers warn that the trade war could result in price hikes, fewer product choices, and impact Christmas sales. Major brands such as Hasbro and Mattel have experienced a drop in their stock prices, while small businesses are facing challenges from supply chain disruptions and rising costs. The industry is worried about facing the dual challenges of product shortages and price increases this Christmas.

04/19 14:05

India and the United States Begin Trade Deal Talks: Aiming for $500 Billion in Trade Value by 2030

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04/19 11:06

The US-China Trade War Heats Up: Rice Prices in New York's Chinatown Soar 40% in a Week, Businesses Worry About Losing Customers

The US-China trade war is escalating, with the US imposing tariffs of up to 145% on Chinese imports, impacting the economy of Chinatowns across the US. In New York's Chinatown, the price of a bag of rice crackers at "New Wing Food Grocery Company" increased from $4.99 to $6.99 within a week, a 40% rise. Businesses are facing the economic pressure of soaring procurement costs and losing customers, threatening the cultural and economic lifeline of the community. San Francisco's Chinatown is also affected, with businesses feeling anxious about the future as supply chain disruptions worsen the situation.

04/19 10:37

American consumers are cutting back on spending because of Trump's new tariff policies, a study reveals the economic impact.

Former President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced a new tariff policy in early April 2025, raising consumer concerns about price increases. According to a survey by the Kearney Consumer Institute, 54% of consumers are worried about the impact of trade disputes, resulting in more conservative consumer behavior. Small businesses are facing increased costs, with some transferring these tariff costs to consumers. Yale University analysis predicts that consumer prices will increase by 3%, with the average household incurring a loss of about $4,900, impacting daily life.

04/19 06:37

Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-orders in the US and Canada Extended Until April 24: Due to the impact of tariff policies, accessory prices have increased, and "Mario Kart World" will launch simultaneously.

Nintendo originally planned to open pre-orders for the Switch 2 in the United States on April 9, 2025, but it was paused due to the announcement by former U.S. President Trump of a new tariff policy on April 8. After reassessment, Nintendo will reopen pre-orders for the U.S. and Canada on April 24, with the console and game prices remaining unchanged, but several peripheral accessories will have increased prices. The Switch 2 will be released on June 5, featuring the launch game "Mario Kart World" and offering bundle packages.

04/19 04:36

U.S.-China Trade War Escalates: U.S. Levies 145% Tariff on Chinese Toys, Toy Industry Faces Existential Crisis

President Trump of the United States imposed a 145% tariff on toys made in China, ending the tariff exemptions and causing a severe impact on the American toy industry. Approximately 80% of toys in the U.S. are imported from China, and the tariffs have led to price increases, leading to cash flow disruptions, order cancellations, and pressure on companies to lay off employees. Industry insiders note that shifting production lines to other countries is not feasible in the short term. Governor Newsom of California has filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the tariffs, sparking backlash across the United States.

04/19 03:05

China stops importing US LNG, shifts to the UAE, signing a historic agreement: ADNOC opens an office in Beijing to strengthen energy cooperation.

Since February 6, 2025, China has not imported U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) for more than ten weeks due to a tariff increase to 49% and a government directive to halt transactions. On April 18, 2025, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) announced the establishment of an office in Beijing and signed long-term LNG supply agreements with three Chinese energy companies. Among these, a 15-year contract with ENN Energy has an annual supply volume of 1 million tons, marking the largest LNG transaction between China and Abu Dhabi, indicating a shift in China's energy import strategy towards the Middle East region and strengthening bilateral cooperation.

04/18 11:07

Due to trade tensions, China's airlines have suspended receiving Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, with several planes returning to the United States.

Chinese airline companies have suspended the receipt of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft due to the new round of U.S. tariff policies. At least one aircraft, which was originally scheduled for delivery to Xiamen Airlines, has been returned to Seattle from Zhoushan, Zhejiang. This action is linked to the rising trade tensions between the U.S. and China, as China has reportedly asked domestic airlines to suspend the purchase of American aircraft and components as a countermeasure. Consequently, Boeing's delivery process to China is encountering significant hurdles.

04/18 09:06

Apple CEO Tim Cook successfully secured tariff exemptions from the U.S. government for electronic products, helping ease U.S.-China trade tensions.

Amid rising US-China trade tensions and the US imposing a 145% tariff on Chinese goods, Apple CEO Tim Cook successfully communicated with high-level officials, including US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, to secure a temporary tariff exemption for products such as iPhones and Macs from the Trump administration. This move offers breathing space for Apple and other US tech companies like HP and Dell. Although the White House denies offering preferential treatment to specific companies, Trump admitted to having helped Cook, indicating that this resulted from high-level policy negotiations.

Pre-order Delay and Tariff Policy Background

Nintendo originally planned to open pre-orders for the Switch 2 in the United States on April 9, 2025. However, after the Trump administration announced a new tariff policy on imported electronic products on April 8, Nintendo announced the postponement of pre-orders the following day. Doug Bowser, President of Nintendo of America, stated that the pricing strategy at that time hadn't accounted for the tariff changes, so the company decided to pause pre-orders to assess potential market and supply chain impacts.

After two weeks of internal evaluation, Nintendo announced on its official website on April 18 that pre-orders for the Switch 2 would reopen in the United States and Canada on April 24. Nintendo emphasized that the console's price would remain unchanged at $449.99 and apologized to consumers for the inconvenience caused by the pre-order delay.

Console and Game Prices Remain Unchanged

Despite facing tariff pressures, Nintendo chose to maintain the original price of the Switch 2 console. Consumers can choose between the standalone version ($449.99) or a bundle with the launch game "Mario Kart World" ($499.99), which offers a $30 savings compared to buying the console and game separately.

"Mario Kart World," as the flagship launch game for the Switch 2, will be released simultaneously with the console on June 5, with a standalone price of $79.99, available in both physical and digital versions. Another launch game, "Donkey Kong Bananza," is priced at $69.99 and will also be released simultaneously.

Details of Peripheral Price Adjustments

Unlike the unchanged console and game prices, Nintendo announced that the prices of several Switch 2 peripherals would increase, with hikes ranging from $5 to $10. Here are the updated suggested retail prices for key accessories:

  • Joy-Con 2 Pair: $94.99 (originally $89.99)
  • Pro Controller: $84.99 (originally $79.99)
  • Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip: $39.99 (originally $34.99)
  • Joy-Con 2 Strap Set: $13.99 (originally $12.99)
  • Joy-Con 2 Wheel Set: $24.99 (originally $19.99)
  • Switch 2 Camera: $54.99 (originally $49.99)
  • Switch 2 Dock Set: $119.99 (originally $109.99)
  • Switch 2 Carrying Case + Screen Protector Set: $39.99 (originally $34.99)
  • Switch 2 Full Storage Case: $84.99 (originally $79.99)
  • Switch 2 Power Adapter: $34.99 (originally $29.99)
  • Samsung microSD Express 256GB Memory Card (Switch 2 Licensed): $59.99 (price unchanged)

Nintendo stated that these price adjustments are decisions based on market conditions and changes in supply chain costs, and future adjustments to other product prices may be made according to circumstances.

"Mario Kart World": Switch 2 Launch Flagship Game

As the flagship launch game for the Switch 2, "Mario Kart World" has been significantly upgraded in both gameplay and scale. The game boasts an open-world design, with tracks that span city streets, deserts, snowy mountains, and underwater tunnels, enabling players to seamlessly traverse various areas and enjoy the excitement of relay races.

The game supports up to 24-player online competitions, and in single-player mode, the screen can be split for 4-player co-op. The game includes a "Free Drive" mode, allowing players to explore the world outside of races and trigger missions and collect elements through the "P Switch." Additionally, the game supports GameChat voice functionality and the Switch 2 dedicated camera, which can recognize player expressions to enhance interactivity.

The game also introduces several new items and modes, including:

  • New items such as the Golden Shell, Ice Flower, and Mega Mushroom
  • "Yoshi's Fast Food" station offering costume collection and character customization
  • Various gameplay modes like "Time Trials," "VS Race," "Team Battle," and "Battle Mode"
  • "Reverse Function" allowing players to retry mistakes in single-player mode

"Mario Kart World" supports Traditional Chinese and will be released simultaneously with the Switch 2 console on June 5, 2025.

Switch 2 Launch Date and Supply Strategy

Nintendo confirmed that the Switch 2 will officially launch in global markets, including the United States, Canada, Japan, and Europe, on June 5, 2025. To tackle tariff policies and supply chain challenges, Nintendo has adjusted its production and logistics strategy, prioritizing the supply of consoles produced in Vietnam to the U.S. market to mitigate potential tariff impacts.

References

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