Key Takeaways
1. The pre-order date for the Switch 2 in Canada has been delayed to April 23rd, originally set for April 9th, due to new tariffs.
2. Well-known leaker billbil-kun warns that pre-order dates can change and emphasizes the unreliability of retail sources for leaks.
3. U.S. gamers are receiving mixed signals about pre-order dates, with suggested dates of either April 21st or 30th, and potential updates expected during the Mario Kart World Direct on April 17th.
4. Pricing concerns for the Switch 2 are rising due to Trump Tariffs, with Sony already increasing prices for its consoles in some regions.
5. Nintendo is shifting some production to Vietnam to mitigate import costs, but reports suggest this may not fully prevent future price increases for the Switch 2.
The pre-order date for the Switch 2 in Canada was initially set for April 9th, but Nintendo has since announced a delay. This change coincided with new tariffs from Trump, leaving many Canadian gamers frustrated, as they felt it wasn’t their government’s doing. Nintendo clarified that it was trying to align the console’s launch between both Canada and the U.S. Nevertheless, well-known leaker billbil-kun now states that Canadian pre-orders will start on April 23rd.
Predictions and Cautions
Billbil-kun has been quite successful in his predictions about game announcements, such as for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. However, he does caution that the pre-order date for the Switch 2 might change. His information comes from a retailer, and it’s important to remember that retail sources can be unreliable when it comes to Switch 2 leaks. On the day of the Nintendo Direct, a Canadian Best Buy even published a blog post claiming a pre-order date of April 2nd, which was later found to be incorrect and removed.
Mixed Signals for U.S. Gamers
In addition, billbil-kun has shared varying reports for gamers in the U.S. He has received hints from North American retailers about pre-order dates, suggesting either April 21st or 30th, depending on the store. A recent look into Target’s backend indicated an April 30th date, but this might just be a placeholder. Some gamers are hoping that the Mario Kart World Direct on April 17th will give more clarity. Meanwhile, pre-orders are already active in countries like the UK and Australia.
Pricing Worries
Another issue for North American gamers is the price of the Nintendo Switch 2. After the significant Trump Tariffs on China, Sony increased the price of its console in certain areas. Nintendo has attempted to protect itself from import costs by shifting some of its production to Vietnam, and a considerable number of its handheld devices have already been sent to the U.S. from there. Unfortunately, Nikkei Asia suggests that this move might not be sufficient to prevent future price increases for the Switch 2.
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