Nintendo Switch 2 Release Delayed Indefinitely in China! Here’s Why

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Summary

  • The Nintendo Switch 2 release has been delayed in China indefinitely, pending an assessment of demand.
  • Nintendo faces challenges in China, needing to meet government policies for hardware and software approval.
  • The original Switch was similarly delayed in China, eventually being released in 2019.

The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 has been postponed in China, officially. Originally scheduled for release on June 5 globally, this highly-anticipated gaming console from Nintendo was announced back in January. During a subsequent Nintendo Direct broadcast, details such as its price and initial date were disclosed. However, it appears that the Chinese release has been pushed back from the original schedule. Alongside the standard version, Nintendo is also providing a special bundle containing the game Mario Kart World, available in certain regions where pre-orders are already being accepted.

Nonetheless, the journey towards the release of the Nintendo Switch 2 has encountered some unexpected obstacles. The rather steep cost of both the console and certain debut games stirred criticism among gamers, prompting Nintendo to momentarily halt pre-orders in the U.S. as they evaluated the influence of Trump Administration tariffs on key manufacturing nations such as Japan and Vietnam. This issue subsequently extended to Canada, where pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 were also postponed earlier this week.

Although the pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 have been pushed back, the comprehensive launch plans for the device remain unaffected worldwide, as of now. However, a report from Nikkei (via WccfTech) indicates that Nintendo has postponed the launch of the Switch 2 in China indefinitely. This delay is attributed to Nintendo’s strategy of assessing the overall demand for the Switch 2 in China before investing the required resources.

Nintendo Switch 2 Delayed In China

Experts consulted by Nikkei have pointed out that overcoming success in China’s market may present substantial obstacles for Nintendo. The primary hurdle lies in enhancing consumer experiences while adhering to the Chinese government’s regulations. This entails the potential need for Nintendo Switch 2 hardware and software to undergo approval by Chinese authorities, which could result in additional limitations and complexities down the line.

The scenario resembles the initial launch of the Nintendo Switch in China, as it faced delays until 2019 – about two years after its release globally. Since then, distribution has been facilitated through a partnership with Tencent, but it remains unclear if this will continue for the Nintendo Switch 2. Initial pre-orders in China were accepted before this announcement, but they are now expected to be cancelled. Additionally, Nintendo has announced that they plan to discontinue online services such as the Nintendo eShop in China by 2026.

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2025-04-09 22:06