The arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2 has been marked by significant controversy due to the cancellation of its reservation and official launch in various regions of the worldAlthough expectations were high, especially in Latin American countries, the truth is that Nintendo has decided to make a decision that affects thousands of players: The new console model will not be officially marketed in 21 countries in Central America and the Caribbean..
This announcement, made public after meetings between Nintendo executives and regional distributors, has confirmed that There will be no official sales of consoles, games or accessories. in nations such as Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama, and the Dominican Republic. Fans in these areas will have to look for alternatives through imports from other territories like the United States, which makes access to the Switch 2 significantly more expensive.
Reasons for cancellation in Central America and the Caribbean
The main reason is the Absence of the eShop digital store in many of these markets. Nintendo believes that the lack of infrastructure and the low potential profitability make these regions “too small” to justify an official deployment. In addition, the tariffs imposed by the US administration In recent years, logistics and production costs have increased, making the console more expensive, especially in markets with more fragile economies.
Another important factor is the international business environment, since Nintendo has also had to postpone pre-orders in China. due to regulatory obstacles. All of this has led the Japanese company to prioritize availability in countries considered strategic: Mexico, Colombia, United States, Europe and Japan.
Regions where there will be a launch and what reservations will be like
Despite the cancellation in Central America and the Caribbean, the Nintendo Switch 2 global launch continues in major regions and is still scheduled for release on June 5, 2025. Mexico, for example, opened pre-orders on April 25 at retailers like Amazon, selling out within hours. In Spain and Germany, reservations began even earlier, on April 8, while the United States has made several batches due to high demand and tariff adjustments.
Official prices, imports and resale market
The cost of the Nintendo Switch 2 varies depending on the country. In Mexico, the price of the base console is 13,599 pesos, while the bundle with Mario Kart World rises to 14,899 pesos. The games themselves aren't particularly affordable either: Mario Kart World is priced at 1,999 pesos, and Donkey Kong Bananza, which will go on sale in July, is priced at 1,749 pesos. These prices are already higher than initial expectations and have sparked some debate among consumers.
En United States, the console costs between 449,99 and 499,99 dollars (depending on taxes), and in In Europe, its price is around 469 euros.In Colombia, the value amounts to approximately 2,859,900 Colombian pesos. Meanwhile, in markets without official launchCosts can climb to $610 due to import taxes and reseller margins. Secondhand platforms have seen offers as high as double the official price.
Consequences for players and reactions to the decision
The cancellation of the Nintendo Switch 2 in Central America and the Caribbean leaves out a large number of users who now depend on the resale or import to access the new console, facing both inflated prices and lack of official support and warrantyIn countries like Mexico, enthusiasm and expectation are accompanied by a certain concern about the price escalation and possible shortages after the first reserves were exhausted.
Criticism among fans and debate over Nintendo's distribution and pricing strategy have intensified, especially in a context of global trade fragmentation, tariffs, and logistical difficulties. Many families and gamers are forced to plan their purchases further in advance or postpone their console purchase in search of better deals.
