About This Article:
Digital Maus Weekly gathers the latest handheld gaming news from across the internet—so you don’t have to. This roundup includes only officially published articles between April 10 and April 17, 2025, ensuring you’re always up to date with the most relevant headlines.
🎮 April 16, 2025 – Nintendo Switch 2 Preorders Delayed in U.S. Amid Tariff Concerns
Nintendo has confirmed that Switch 2 preorders in the U.S. have been delayed due to uncertainty caused by new tariffs on Chinese electronics. While preorders have begun in the UK and Australia, U.S. customers will need to wait as pricing concerns loom.
The Switch 2, launching June 5, 2025, includes:
- 7.9-inch 1080p HDR LCD with 120Hz refresh rate
- 4K docked output
- 256GB internal storage
- New Joy-Con 2 with a GameChat “C” button for built-in voice/video support
Industry experts believe the current MSRP of $449.99 could increase in the U.S. if tariffs are enforced.
Full URL:
https://www.tortoisemedia.com/2025/04/16/nintendos-switch-2-versus-trumps-tariffs
🕹️ April 11, 2025 – Playdate Season 2 Begins May 29 With 12 New Games
Panic has announced that Playdate Season 2 will officially launch on May 29, 2025, featuring 12 new games released over six weeks (two per week) for $39. Among the lineup is Fulcrum Defender by Subset Games—makers of FTL and Into the Breach.
Panic also introduced a new yellow carrying case, priced at $34, available for purchase through their official store.
Full URL:
https://www.theverge.com/news/648193/playdate-season-2-games-price-release-date
🕹️ April 10, 2025 – FTL Devs Bring Fulcrum Defender to Playdate
Subset Games is developing Fulcrum Defender, a new tactical game for Playdate, as part of Season 2. Built around Playdate’s signature crank mechanic, the game marks the studio’s first release since Into the Breach. Subset describes it as “a distilled tactical experience made for quick sessions.”
This further expands Playdate’s appeal among top indie developers.
Full URL:
https://www.polygon.com/news/560659/subset-games-announces-playdate-game
💸 April 11, 2025 – New Tariffs Raise Prices for Handheld Gaming Devices in the U.S.
The impact of new U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports is already visible across the handheld gaming market. According to Windows Central, both the MSI Claw 8 AI+ and Claw 7 AI+ have gone up $100, with current prices at $999.99 and $899.99, respectively.
The upcoming Lenovo Legion Go S has also increased in price by $50, even ahead of its release, signaling broader cost pressures across the category.