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- Set Your Alarms: Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Orders Ignite April 24 at Midnight EST
Set Your Alarms: Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Orders Ignite April 24 at Midnight EST
PLUS: Hadouken! Street Fighter IV Champion Edition Joins Netflix Games
Fun Fact: The "wall jump" in Super Mario Bros. was an unintended result of how the game handled character movement.
In today’s email:
Set Your Alarms: Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Orders Ignite April 24 at Midnight EST
Don’t miss the midnight rush—here’s how to lock in yours first
1) Why the Hype?
Nintendo’s sequel to the runaway hit is almost here. Maybe it’s the upgraded OLED display. Maybe it’s that beefy new processor. Whatever it is, fans everywhere have circled April 24 on their calendars.
2) When and Where
Date & Time: April 24, 2025 at 12:00 AM EST.
Retailers:
Pro tip: Bookmark your preferred retailer’s product page now. Many will go live exactly at midnight.
3) What You’ll Need
Account Ready: Make sure you’re logged in and have payment info saved.
Fast Fingers: These things will sell out in minutes.
Backup Plan: If one store crashes, hop to the next—don’t give up.
4) Accessories to Grab
Extra Pro Controllers
Carrying Case with screen protector
Official or third-party charging docks
5) Looking Ahead
Wondering what comes next?
Launch bundle rumors: Neon and graphite colorways are whisper-worthy.
Game lineup: Expect next-gen versions of Zelda, Mario, and more.
Don’t Overthink—Just Prep!
Ready to level up your gaming? Set that reminder, charge your devices, and get ready to hit “Pre-Order” at the stroke of midnight. Good luck!
Hadouken! Street Fighter IV Champion Edition Joins Netflix Games
Street Fighter IV: Champion Edition is now available on iOS and Android from @netflixgames_! Featuring 32 World Warriors, online matches, and accessible control options, now you can enter the ring against all challengers with your Netflix subscription!
🍎 apple.co/4cIMGdq
— Street Fighter (@StreetFighter)
3:50 PM • Apr 22, 2025
(1) Why This Matters
If you’re a Netflix subscriber with a mobile device, you just leveled up. No extra downloads, no sneaky in-app purchases, and zero ads. Capcom and Netflix have teamed up to drop Street Fighter IV: Champion Edition directly into your Netflix Games library—totally free.
Maybe you’ve always wanted to throw fireballs on the go. Maybe you’re itching to perfect your Shoryuken. Either way, it’s time to hit the ring.
(2) What You’ll Get
Short version: the full Champion Edition experience in your pocket.
32 World Warriors
– Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li, Guile, Blanka…you name it.
– New additions like Dudley, Juri, Elena, Evil Ryu, and more.Arcade & Survival Modes
– Fly solo through classic arcade ladders.
– Test your stamina in endless survival.Online Multiplayer
– Match up with fighters worldwide.
– Climb leaderboards or just brawl with buddies.Intuitive Mobile Controls
– Virtual pad optimized for touchscreens.
– “SP Move Assist” to instantly unleash special attacks.
No ads. No microtransactions. Just pure 3D-busting action.
(3) How to Start Fighting
It’s literally that simple.
(4) Why It’s a Big Deal
Retro Cred Meets Modern Convenience
SF IV first punched onto mobile back in 2017. Now it’s polished up, ad-free, and ready for prime time under your Netflix subscription.Cross-Device Showdowns
iOS vs. Android. iPad vs. iPhone. The only limit is your Wi-Fi.No Wallet Required
Fighters love to talk smack. Nobody likes surprise microtransactions. Netflix Games keeps the peace.
Sound familiar? Remember when Netflix quietly ditched DVD late fees? This feels just as slick.
(5) Tips to Dominate
Master the Basics
Spend 5–10 minutes in training. Sharpen those normals.Pick a Pocket Ryu
Ryu’s never a bad idea—and he’s great for learning footsies.SP Move Assist
New to fighting games? Toggle this on for cinematic specials without memorizing the full inputs.Join a Discord
There are Netflix Games communities already buzzing about match-ups. Find one, swap tips, trash-talk (nicely), and get better together.
(6) What’s Next?
Netflix has hinted at more Capcom classics joining its games roster. Imagine Mega Man, Resident Evil, or Street Fighter III on your phone—no extra price tag.
For now, get your thumbs warmed up on SF IV CE. Netflix subscribers, consider this your official call to arms.
Ready to rumble?
Fire up your Netflix app. Download Street Fighter IV: Champion Edition. And remember: when life knocks you down, get up with a Dragon Punch.
Share your high-score screenshots and tag us on social @RetroSwapUS—because defeating Sagat is more fun with friends.
Game Over for Direct Imports: Anbernic Suspends US Shipments Amid Tariff Turmoil
Anbernic, one of the most prolific makers of affordable retro-emulation handhelds, has announced an indefinite suspension of all direct shipments from China to the United States. The decision, effective April 22, 2025, stems from sweeping changes to U.S. tariff policies—most notably the elimination of the “de minimis” exemption for low-value imports and the looming threat of duties as high as 245 percent on Chinese-manufactured electronics. To mitigate the fallout, Anbernic is urging U.S. customers to purchase exclusively from its domestic warehouse, though supplies there appear limited and often pricier via third-party marketplaces. This suspension echoes similar moves by other retro-hardware producers and could reshape how enthusiasts source their devices in the immediate future.
Background: Tariff Turmoil Meets Retro Hardware
Anbernic, known for emulation handhelds that replicate classic Nintendo, Sega, and Sony systems at roughly $70 USD per unit, typically ships new devices directly from China to global customers. But on April 22, 2025, the company announced it would “suspend all orders shipping from China to the United States starting today,” citing sudden changes in U.S. tariff policies that reclassify low-cost electronics as commodities subject to high duties.
These policy shifts include the removal of the long-standing de minimis exemption—which had allowed goods valued under $800 to enter duty-free—and potential retroactive tariffs up to 245 percent on certain imports. Handheld consoles, now classified under toy categories, fall outside exemptions granted to smartphones and computers, leaving companies like Anbernic facing steep customs fees that would double or triple retail prices for U.S. buyers.
Reasons Behind the Suspension
Unpredictable Duty Rates
With the de minimis threshold gone, even inexpensive emulation devices now risk being slapped with tariffs exceeding their wholesale cost.
Cost Pass-Through Concerns
Anbernic warns that passing these duties onto consumers would make its handhelds prohibitively expensive, undermining the company’s core value proposition of affordable retro gaming.
Logistical Complications
The vagaries of customs enforcement and delays have prompted a strategic pivot to domestic warehousing, where import duties do not apply—though stock levels there have become “minuscule,” according to recent customer reports.
Impact on Consumers and the Market
Limited Direct Access: U.S. buyers can no longer select China-to-U.S. shipping at checkout on Anbernic’s site, instead being funneled toward its domestic warehouse or forced to rely on third-party retailers.
Price Inflation: Amazon and AliExpress listings for Anbernic consoles have already seen price hikes, reflecting sellers’ need to cover higher import costs or to capitalize on scarcity.
Longer Lead Times: U.S. warehouse stock is sporadic, leading to wait times of 1–2 weeks or longer, compared to the former 3–5 day direct-from-China shipping window.
Piracy Concerns: Many enthusiasts use Anbernic devices with unauthorized ROMs; the suspension could drive more users toward unofficial hardware or modded alternatives if official channels dry up.
Industry Ripple Effects
Anbernic is not alone. RetroTINK briefly halted U.S. shipments amid the same tariff uncertainty, and fellow emulation-handheld maker AYN (creator of the Odin 2) has signaled a forthcoming pause. This collective retreat underscores broader vulnerability among small-batch hardware firms reliant on lean margins and global supply chains.
Alternatives and Workarounds
U.S. Warehouse Purchases: If stock exists, U.S. warehouse orders remain duty-free and are the most reliable option for now.
Third-Party Retailers: Amazon, AliExpress, and select specialty shops still carry Anbernic consoles, albeit at a premium and often bundled with preloaded games.
Local Sellers and Meetups: Enthusiast groups on Facebook Marketplace or Discord channels sometimes offer used or imported devices at negotiated rates.
DIY Builds: Some hobbyists are turning to open-source handheld kits (e.g., RG 351Pi clones) assembled domestically to bypass import duties.
Looking Ahead: Policy, Production, and Passion
The suspension will likely last “until further notice,” pending clarity on tariff implementation and potential exemptions for electronics. Should U.S. trade policy shift—either through revised de minimis rules or negotiated exemptions—the direct China-to-U.S. channel may reopen. In the longer term, companies like Anbernic might explore partial local assembly or diversified supplier networks to cushion against future trade shocks.
For now, retro-gaming aficionados in the U.S. must adapt: monitor Anbernic’s warehouse stock, support domestic retailers, or await policy relief. One thing remains certain—passion for classic gaming runs deeper than any tariff barrier.
We hope you tune back in for our next issue, where we'll dive deep into more retro gaming news!
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