Nintendo has announced that pre-orders for the highly anticipated Switch 2 console will begin on April 24th in the US, after initially delaying the process due to concerns over tariffs and market conditions. The company confirmed that the price of the console will remain at $449.99, with a more expensive version available for $499.99 that includes Mario Kart World.

The original pre-order date was set for April 9th, but Nintendo delayed it following the Trump administration's announcement of new tariffs. The company stated that it needed time to assess the potential impact of these tariffs on the console's launch. However, with President Trump's recent authorization of a 90-day pause on tariffs outside of China, Nintendo has now set a new pre-order date.

In addition to the US, Nintendo also delayed pre-orders in Canada, citing the need to align with the timing of pre-orders in the US. The company has confirmed that the Switch 2's launch date remains unchanged, with the console set to hit shelves on June 5th.

The Switch 2 is expected to be a significant upgrade from the original Switch, featuring a larger 7.9-inch LCD screen, bigger Joy-Con controllers, and other improvements. Nintendo has also showcased several new games for the console, including Donkey Kong Bananza, a 3D Donkey Kong game set to launch on July 17th.

The news comes as Sony recently raised the price of its PS5 models in the EU, UK, Australia, and New Zealand due to "a challenging economic environment." This move has sparked debate over the fairness of console prices, with some arguing that the cost of next-generation gaming is becoming prohibitively expensive.

Despite these concerns, the Switch 2 is highly anticipated by gamers, and the new pre-order date is likely to be met with excitement. With its improved hardware and new games, the console is expected to be a major player in the gaming market this year.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the Switch 2's launch will be closely watched by analysts and gamers alike. With its unique hybrid design and family-friendly appeal, the console has the potential to carve out a significant niche in the market. However, the ongoing trade tensions and economic uncertainty may yet impact the console's success.

For now, gamers can mark their calendars for April 24th, when pre-orders for the Switch 2 will finally go live. With the console's launch just around the corner, it's clear that the next few weeks will be an exciting time for the gaming community.