|
There's yet another Nintendo Direct coming our way, which is the third in less than a month. This one is entirely focused on the upcoming Switch 2 launch title Mario Kart World. It starts at 9AM ET and should last around 15 minutes.
It's livestreaming on Nintendo's YouTube page, but mega-fans can also open up that recently-launched Nintendo Today! app to follow along. We are embedding the YouTube link, so feel free to keep this tab open.
We have no idea what information Nintendo is going to spring on us as part of this Direct presentation. The company has already released a ton of info about Mario Kart World. It's an open-world racer that can accommodate 24 plays at the same time.
However, there are still a couple of unknowns. Most of these involve the open-world aspect. Are there any rewards for exploration? Are there secret tracks that can only be unlocked by finding them? Can the same be said for unlockable characters? Again, we don't know, but hope springs eternal.
There's also the $80 elephant in the room. The exorbitant retail price of Mario Kart World
|
|
Americans and Canadians are still waiting to pay up for a new Switch 2. Switch 2 pre-orders remain indefinitely delayed in the U.S. and Canada right now, after Nintendo previous announced an April 9 pre-order date and promptly walked that back in response to tariffs announced by President Donald Trump.
According a statement Nintendo provided to Engadget: "Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not start April 9, 2025 in order to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions. Nintendo will update timing at a later date. The launch date of June 5, 2025 is unchanged."
Not much has changed since the initial delay, but there are rumors now that pre-orders could open as early as April 23 or April 30. However, those details have not been confirmed by Nintendo.
Tariffs and the Nintendo Switch 2
During its most recent Direct presentation at the start of April, Nintendo showed off more of the Switch 2 than it ever had before. That included the reveal of the April 9 pre-order opening date, in addition to the original $450 starting price. Shortly after, President Trump announced sweeping tariffs on China and other countries, prompting Nintendo to delay pre-orders in the U.S. and Canada.
In a reversal, President Trump then announced a
|
|