The highly anticipated day has finally arrived—pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 are officially open across North America. This new gaming console is set to be widely available starting June 5. If you registered on Nintendo’s official site in preparation for the pre-order launch on April 24, you should have received (or will soon receive) an email granting you exclusive access to place your order through Nintendo. In addition to purchasing directly from Nintendo, various participating retailers, including GameStop, Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and several others, will also offer the console for pre-order at a price of $450, along with the exciting $500 Mario Kart World bundle.

Step-by-Step Guide to Pre-Ordering the Nintendo Switch 2

In conjunction with Nintendo, popular third-party retailers such as Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart, and Target have confirmed their pre-order availability starting on April 24. GameStop will be accepting pre-orders both in physical stores and online, with online orders beginning at 11 AM ET on launch day. Conversely, Best Buy, Walmart, and Target will start their pre-orders at midnight. We also expect Amazon to offer pre-orders, although links are not yet live on their site.

Secure Your Pre-order for the Nintendo Switch 2

Reserve Your Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle

*As of midnight ET on Thursday, April 24, Amazon has not yet listed either version of the Switch 2 console for sale. We will keep this article updated with direct links as soon as they become available. In the meantime, you can visit the site’s dedicated Nintendo hub for updates.

How to Secure Pre-Orders for Switch 2 Accessories

The Switch 2 comes with an array of accessories available for separate purchase. While the console’s pricing remained unchanged at its announcement, several accessory prices have been adjusted. For instance, the new Switch 2 camera is now priced at $55, up from the initial $50; the Switch 2 Pro controller costs $85 instead of $80; an additional pair of Joy-Con 2 controllers will be available for $95, increased from $90, and a Joy-Con charging grip is now $40, up from $35. You can refer to Nintendo’s official announcement for a detailed list of accessory price adjustments. Most accessories can be pre-ordered simultaneously with the Switch 2 console.

Joy-Con 2 Bundle Priced at $95

Switch 2 Pro Controller Available for $85

Switch 2 Camera Offered for $55

Samsung microSD Express Card – 256GB for Nintendo Switch 2 Priced at $60

Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip for $40

Joy-Con 2 Wheels (Set of 2) Priced at $25

Switch 2 All-in-One Carrying Case Available for $85

*As of midnight ET on Thursday, April 24, Amazon has not yet listed any first-party Switch 2 accessories for sale. This article will be updated with direct links as they become available; until then, you can check the site’s Nintendo-focused hub for more information.

In-Depth Features and Specifications of the Switch 2

From the teaser trailer released for the Switch 2, we learned that Nintendo’s latest hardware iteration will feature a larger form factor and a reimagined design for the detachable Joy-Cons. The new Joy-Con 2 includes a newly designed C button, enhanced mouse controls, and a built-in gyroscope that allows for tilt control. The console is indeed larger, boasting a 7.9-inch LCD screen with a remarkable 120Hz refresh rate, HDR capabilities, and a crisp 1080p resolution.

When docked, players can enjoy gaming in stunning 4K resolution on their television. Nintendo has also indicated that they have improved the internal speakers for a richer sound experience. Additionally, the new dock features a built-in fan designed to maintain optimal cooling and performance during extended gaming sessions. The Switch 2 is equipped with dual USB-C ports for efficient charging, and the base storage has been increased to an impressive 256GB. While the storage can be expanded like its predecessor, it is only compatible with the latest microSD Express cards.

Understanding Tariffs and Their Impact on the Nintendo Switch 2

During its latest Direct presentation at the beginning of April, Nintendo unveiled more details about the Switch 2 than ever before, including the announcement of the April 9 pre-order date and the fixed starting price of $450. Shortly thereafter, President Trump introduced significant tariffs affecting imports from China and other countries, leading Nintendo to postpone pre-orders in the US and Canada.

In a surprising turn of events, President Trump later declared a 90-day suspension on steep “reciprocal” tariffs impacting 75 countries, but he simultaneously announced an increase in tariffs imposed on China, which now stands at a staggering 245 percent.

The good news is that the original price of $450 for the Switch 2 will remain unchanged in both the US and Canada. However, based on Nintendo’s official statements, it appears that the company is keeping the option open for potential price increases in the future.

Furthermore, we know that Nintendo began shifting some of its Switch console manufacturing to Vietnam back in 2019. The reciprocal tariff for manufacturing in Vietnam was initially set at 46 percent, but that seems to have been paused in favor of a 10 percent reciprocal tariff that is currently in effect during the 90-day suspension period.

It has been speculated that Nintendo intends to ramp up production of Switch 2 consoles in Vietnam to maintain their production schedule, even if it means selling the consoles at a loss in the short term. The company will need to significantly increase production capacity to meet the overwhelming demand for the Switch 2: according to Nintendo, a staggering 2.2 million individuals entered the pre-order lottery in Japan alone, which far exceeds the number of units expected to be available in that region on launch day.