The Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order is technically open, but if you haven’t been able to secure one yet, it seems increasingly difficult for you to grab the console before the June 5 release date. To recall what has happened so far: Nintendo finally launched reservations in the United States and Canada on April 24 after the device’s original booking date was extended. After a few hours, hours (causing headaches), stocks at third-party retailers such as Walmart, Target, Target and Best Buy sold out quickly. GameStop started booking later that morning, but soon achieved the same fate, and later confirmed that its online stock was dry as well.
Some Hawkeye buyers were reportedly able to make reservations at Walmart on Saturday, April 26, but the retailer has since completely removed one of its Switch 2 pages. (Another list still exists, but it dropped the inventory.) When we wrote this, the other stores mentioned above also accepted reservations.
We will be sure to pay attention to whether and when changes will be made, but now the only other retailer that confirms its reservations are Nintendo itself. That is, the equipment manufacturer will only provide switch 2 through the invitation system. It begins accepting registrations on April 2 and will launch its first wave of invitations on May 8. However, the company updated its website last week to indicate that some people may not receive booking emails until the June 5 launch date.
How to book a Nintendo Switch 2
As mentioned above, third-party retailers like Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart and Target opened their reservations on April 24. Bookings for Best Buy, Walmart and Target are open at midnight, while on-site manual and online bookings for GameStop begin at 11 a.m. ET. However, all of these stores sold their stocks at the time of our latest update, or currently listing consoles as “coming soon.”
We expect to offer Switch 2 from Amazon sometime in the future, but the link has not been used on the site yet and there is no indication of when it will change.
Other retailers of Costco and Sam’s Club (such as Costco and Sam’s Club) have also released Switch 2 listings, although it seems that the stores do not accept reservations. Newegg also added a Switch 2 page, but has no option to purchase yet.
At this point, if you haven’t already, it is recommended that you register through the Nintendo website. It can be signed up for free and you will eventually receive an email that you can order the console even if you have to wait until after June 5 launch date. But please note that Nintendo will give invitations “on a first come first served basis” priority to those who pay for their switch’s online service for at least 12 months and record at least 50 hours of total switch playback time. (For the latter, you need to choose to share game data with Nintendo, which you can confirm in your account’s privacy settings.) So, if you’re just signing up on Nintendo today, don’t be surprised that your invitation doesn’t arrive until some time after the batch on May 8.
Anyway, if you are desperate to receive restocking, it is best to create an account with each of the retailers above and make sure all shipping and billing information is up to date. Downloading each store’s mobile app and signing up for notifications can also help, although this can quickly become annoying. We will continue to update this post with the latest Switch 2 reservation information over time.
Book Nintendo Switch 2
Book Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Karting World bundle
*As of Thursday, May 1, at 11:30 a.m. ET, Amazon has not listed any Switch 2 console kit for sale. If they arrive, we will update this article with a direct link; prior to that, we were linking to the Nintendo-centric hub of the site.
How to book 2 accessories and games
Naturally, the Switch 2 has many accessories and new games that you can book separately. Although Nintendo did not adjust the price of the console when it announced a new pre-order date, it did increase the cost of several accessories. The new Switch 2 camera now costs $55 instead of the original $50; the new Switch 2 Pro Controller costs $85 instead of $80; an additional set of Joy-Con 2 controllers start at $95 from $90, while the official Joy-Con charging grip costs $40 instead of $35. You can view Nintendo’s official statement in all accessories price adjustments on April 18.
Broadly speaking, most of these accessories can still be snapped up at least at one or two retailers, but the stock has become more bloated since the initial booking. Upcoming first-party games Mario Karting World and Donkey BananaAt the same time, it can still be widely used.
Mario Karting World $80
Donkey Banana $70
Samsung MicroSD Express Card – 256GB for Nintendo Switch 2, priced at $60
$95 Joy-Con 2 Bundle
Switch 2 Pro Controller for $85
Switch 2 cameras for $55
Hori Nintendo Switch 2 Piranha Plant Camera, $60
Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip, priced at $40
joy-con 2 wheels (2 sets 2 sets), priced at $25
Switch 2 $85 all-in-one carry case
*As of Thursday, May 1, at 11:30 am ET, Amazon has not listed any first-party switch 2 accessories or games for sale. If they arrive, we will update this article with a direct link; prior to that, we were linking to the Nintendo-centric hub of the site.
More Switch 2 details
We know from the initial trailer that Switch 2 will be bigger and take a new approach to taking a new approach to the removable Joy-Cons. Now, the new controller includes a C button, mouse controls and a built-in gyroscope for tilt control. The device itself is indeed bigger, with a 7.9-inch LCD screen that supports 120Hz refresh rate (with VRR), HDR10 and 1080p resolution. The hardware also has a built-in microphone that supports a new feature called GameChat that allows you to communicate with friends during the game. Nintendo said that until March 31, 2026, all switch 2 users will provide free service, and online membership will be required.
When docked, you will be able to play up to 4K on your TV, Nintendo says it also improves the console’s internal speakers. The new dock also features a built-in fan that keeps the console cool and helps maintain performance during long-term playback. Switch 2 has dual USB-C ports for charging, and the internal storage volume increases from 32GB to 256GB. The Switch 2’s storage space can be expanded like previous models, but it can only work with newer MicroSD Express cards. As the latest 20.0.0 update of the original switch shows, the upcoming console will also take advantage of Nintendo’s new virtual game card system for borrowing digital games across systems, as well as a gaming feature that allows you to share the selection title locally with just one copy of the game.
Tariffs and Nintendo Switch 2
In its latest direct talk in early April, Nintendo showed off more Switch 2 than ever before. In addition to the initial $450 price, this includes the unveiling of the April 9 booking opening date. Soon after, President Trump announced tariffs on China and other countries, prompting Nintendo to postpone reservations in the United States and Canada.
In a reversal, President Trump later announced a 90-day pause on steep tariffs affecting 75 countries, but also announced that tariffs imposed on China would rise further (currently at 145%).
We now know that the initial $450 price of the Switch 2 will remain the same in the U.S. and Canada, but according to its official statement, Nintendo appears to be opening the door for potential future price increases.
We also know that Nintendo began moving some of its switch console manufacturing to Vietnam in 2019. Vietnam’s tariffs increased to 46%, but it appears that 10% of the tariffs have been put on hold and are now in effect during the 90-day moratorium.
It is speculated that Nintendo will enhance the production of the Switch 2 console in Vietnam, so it can be followed on time even if it sells the console at a loss in the short term. It seems the company will have to seriously increase production to keep up with the demand for the Switch 2: According to Nintendo, in Japan alone, 2.2 million people entered the pre-booked lottery, which far exceeded the expected equipment in the region on launch day.
