Nintendo Switch 2 preorder guide: Everything you need to know
Nintendo Switch 2 preorders went live on April 24 and swiftly sold out at major retailers. The console starts at $449.99 and is set for launch on June 5.
UPDATE: Apr. 24, 2025, 12:45 p.m. EDT This story has been updated with the latest on Nintendo Switch 2 preorder availability at major retailers, and some new info about deliveries for preorder places through the My Nintendo Store.
After a brief delay due to President Donald Trump's tariffs, Nintendo Switch 2 preorders went live online at several major retailers on April 24, predictably crashing their websites. As of mid-day Thursday, preorder listings for the $449.99 console at Best Buy, GameStop, Target, and Walmart were all marked as "coming soon," "not available," or "out of stock." The same applied to listings for its $499.99 Mario Kart World bundle.
Those lucky enough to snag a Switch 2 preorder will be able to pick up their new console in person at Best Buy and GameStop as soon as it launches on June 5: Both retailers are planning on opening their stores at midnight ET that day. Meanwhile, Walmart is promising to deliver preorders made before June 4 at 8 a.m. ET for free by 9 a.m. local time on June 5 (while supplies last). We've reached out to a Target rep to find out if it has any launch day plans and will update this story if we hear back.
Shoppers who struck out today might be able to catch a restock at some point down the road: There are several ways to track Switch 2 availability online, per Mashable's Alex Perry. You can also try nabbing a preorder directly through the My Nintendo Store next month. Nintendo's online storefront will send out preorder invites to interested shoppers in waves starting Thursday, May 8; those with a Nintendo Account can register for access ahead of time on Nintendo's website.
According to the fine print, priority invites will go to "registrants who have purchased a Nintendo Switch Online membership with a minimum of 12 months of paid membership and a minimum of 50 total gameplay hours, as of April 2, 2024." Shoppers will be notified via email when it's their turn to place a Switch 2 preorder and have 72 hours to do so. Preorders will be limited to one system per Nintendo Account.
Nintendo updated its preorder page Thursday to note that it's not guaranteeing release day deliveries "[due] to the very high demand," and that invites may arrive after June 5. (You'll receive a shipping date once you place your preorder.) The company encouraged shoppers to buy a Switch 2 from one of its retailer partners "[if] you wish to increase your opportunity of obtaining a Nintendo System 2 system at launch."
The next-gen hybrid console retails for $449.99, making it $150 pricier than the original Switch from 2017 and $100 more expensive than the 2021 OLED model. It's also being sold as part of a limited-time $499.99 bundle that includes a download code for Mario Kart World, one of two exclusive launch titles.
The Switch 2 console will ship with the following accessories:
Joy-Con 2 controllers (L+R)
Joy-Con 2 Grip
Joy-Con 2 Straps
Nintendo Switch 2 Dock
Ultra High-Speed HDMI Cable
Nintendo Switch 2 AC Adapter
USB-C Charging Cable
How we got here
After pulling back the curtain on its new console during an April 2 Direct, Nintendo originally announced that Switch 2 preorders would open at select retailers on April 9. But two days later, the company said in a press statement that preorders were indefinitely delayed amid the Trump administration's new tariff policies and "evolving market conditions."
Nintendo eventually set the Switch 2's new preorder date in a mid-April press release — and in doing so, it confirmed that the Switch 2 and its bundle would not see a tariff-related price increase. Pricing for two of its upcoming standalone games, Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, also remain unchanged at $79.99 and $69.99, respectively.
We haven't gotten away scot-free, though: "Nintendo Switch 2 accessories will experience price adjustments from those announced on April 2 due to changes in market conditions," Nintendo said. That includes the Switch 2 Pro Controller, Joy-Con controllers, a set of two Joy-Con 2 Wheels, and a Switch 2 Camera. The company also left the door open for future price adjustments "of any Nintendo product" if market conditions change.
Below, we've listed the updated pricing for the Switch 2's accessories. Just over half of them are now available for preorder at major retailers alongside the console itself (linked when available):
Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller — now $84.99, was $79.99
Joy-Con 2 Pair — now $94.99, was $89.99
Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip — now $39.99, was $34.99
Joy-Con 2 Strap — now $13.99, was $12.99
Joy-Con 2 Wheel Set — now $24.99, was $19.99
Nintendo Switch 2 Camera — now $54.99, was $49.99
Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Set — now $119.99, was $109.99
Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector — now $39.99, was $34.99
Nintendo Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case — now $84.99, was $79.99
Nintendo Switch 2 AC Adapter — now $34.99, was $29.99
