It's official: Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders will begin on Tuesday, April 8 in the U.S. The standalone Nintendo Switch 2 console will cost $449.99. There will also be a Switch 2 bundle that'll include a digital copy of Mario Kart World for $499.99. The console launches on June 5.
Nintendo has confirmed plans to roll out Switch 2 pre-orders is two initial waves. On April 8, the console will be made available on the My Nintendo Store. The following day (April 9), Switch 2 pre-orders will go live at retailers such as Best Buy, Walmart and GameStop.
It seems a surefire bet that come next week Nintendo fans will snap up Switch 2 stock quicker than Mario can complete a lap of Rainbow Road. To ensure you don’t miss out, we’re tracking everything related to Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders in this comprehensive guide.
Be sure to bookmark and check back regularly, as we'll bring you the latest Switch 2 pre-order details and live retailer links as we get them.
Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders — latest updates
As of April 3, Nintendo has confirmed its Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date. The console will be available for pre-order starting April 8 at My Nintendo Store, and then on April 9 at select retailers.
The Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle will include a digital copy of Mario Kart World and will sell for $499.99. If you want just the console, you'll be able to buy the standalone Switch 2 for $449. Note: Retailers such as Amazon and Best Buy have yet to launch official pre-order pages for the Switch 2, although it's likely those pages will launch soon.
Register your interest in Switch 2 pre-orders now
Best Buy is letting shoppers register interest to "receive information about when you can pre-order." Meanwhile, GameStop has launched its Switch 2 listing page where you can "sign up to be notified when Switch 2 is available." These signs up are free they're worth doing now.
Over in the U.K., gaming retailer ShopTo is offering the same option, but it costs a penny (£0.01). Presumably, this is to prevent reseller bots from signing up multiple times. But the good news is your penny will be taken off the price should you opt to purchase Switch 2 at launch.
Quick Links
- Nintendo: pre-order on April 8
- Walmart: pre-order on April 9
- Amazon: check for pre-order info
- GameStop: pre-order on April 9
- Dell: check pre-order info
- Best Buy: pre-order on April 9
Switch 2 pre-orders in the U.S.
Switch 2 pre-orders in the U.K.
Will Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders sell out?
The Nintendo Switch 2 is likely to be pretty popular when it eventually goes up for pre-order later this year. In fact, it wouldn't be a surprise if the initial demand outstrips the available launch supply. But there's good news for anybody fearing another situation akin to 2020's PS5 restock nightmare.
Nintendo's president, Shuntaro Furukawa, confirmed in an interview with the Japanese press plans to put "measures" in place to prevent scalping and that "[Nintendo is] making preparations." While there's no doubt resellers will still be sniffing around the console at launch, at least Nintendo is aware of the potential issue and looking for solutions.
Nevertheless, launch stock may be limited, and the launch period will see the biggest spike in demand, so if you really want to get hold of a Nintendo Switch 2 at release, lock in a pre-order when they go live.
What is the Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 is one of those tech products that is exactly what it sounds like, it's a successor to the best-selling Nintendo Switch console offering the same hybrid of a handheld and a home console.
The biggest upgrade is expected to be its beefier internal components — though these haven't been detailed as of yet — but it's also a larger unit with a bigger display, and jumbo-sized Joy-Con controllers. It also packs a reworked dock, and a snazzy color scheme that combines black, blue and orange.
Plus, speaking of those new Joy-Cons, the controllers will connect to the Switch 2 via a magnetic system, which looks like a big improvement over the first Switch's cumbersome rail connectors. Oh, and the back kickstand has been overhauled and appears more functional and user-friendly.
While we're still waiting to see just how much extra power the Switch 2 offers over its predecessor, on the surface, it certainly looks like a sizable upgrade. And there's no doubt it's going to be a best-seller.
How will Nintendo fight scalpers?
To fight scalpers, Switch 2 pre-orders at My Nintendo will come with strict guidelines. They include:
- You must have a Nintendo account and be 18 years of age or older.
- You must have a Nintendo Switch Online membership with a minimum of 12 months of paid membership and a minimum of 50 total gameplay hours as of Wednesday, April 2.
- You must have opted to share your gameplay data with Nintendo.
After registering your interest at My Nintendo Store, you'll then receive an invite to buy the console on May 8. (Additional invites will be released later). Invitation emails will be delivered on a first-come, first-serve basis. You'll have 72 hours from the time when the email is sent to complete your purchase.
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