David Bridges
Following what seemed like an extended wait, pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 have officially commenced in both the United States and Canada. On April 24, Nintendo finally launched the pre-order process after initially announcing a start date of April 9, which was later retracted due to tariffs. The release date for the console remains set for June 5, and those who registered their interest on Nintendo’s website should have received an email granting them early access to place their orders.
If you did not receive an email after registering with Nintendo, you are not alone in this situation. The company has updated its pre-order page to indicate that some individuals may receive their pre-order emails post the June 5 launch date, so patience may be required.
In addition to Nintendo’s direct pre-orders, various third-party retailers are also offering pre-orders for the Switch 2. Stores such as GameStop, Walmart, Best Buy, and Target are selling the console priced at $450, along with a $500 Mario Kart World bundle. However, at present, both the console and the bundle are mostly sold out or listed as unavailable across these retailers.
Step-by-Step Guide to Pre-Ordering the Nintendo Switch 2
On April 24, alongside Nintendo, third-party retailers such as Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart, and Target opened their pre-orders as scheduled. While Best Buy, Walmart, and Target began pre-orders at midnight, GameStop launched in-person and online pre-orders at 11 AM. Currently, all these retailers have either sold out of their stock or are listing the console as “coming soon.” We anticipate that the Switch 2 will also be available through Amazon, although the links on their site are not yet live.
At this juncture, we highly recommend that you sign up on Nintendo’s official website if you haven’t done so already. Registration is free, and you will eventually receive an email that will allow you to place your order for the console, even if it means waiting until after the June 5 launch day. We will keep this post updated with the latest information regarding Switch 2 pre-orders as new details emerge.
Pre-order Your Nintendo Switch 2 Now
Pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle Today
*As of 5 PM ET on Thursday, April 24, Amazon has yet to list either of the Switch 2 console packages for sale. We will update this article with direct links as they become available; until then, we will direct you to the site’s dedicated Nintendo hub.
Essential Steps for Pre-Ordering Switch 2 Accessories
The Switch 2 comes with a variety of accessories that you can purchase separately to enhance your gaming experience. Although the console itself did not see any price adjustments during the announcement of the new pre-order date, many of these accessories did see changes. For instance, the new Switch 2 camera is now priced at $55, up from the original price of $50; the new Switch 2 Pro controller is priced at $85 instead of $80; an additional pair of Joy-Con 2 controllers will cost you $95 instead of $90, and a Joy-Con charging grip is now available for $40 instead of $35. For detailed information regarding accessory price adjustments, check out Nintendo’s official statement. Most of these accessories are available for pre-order now.
Samsung microSD Express Card – 256GB for Nintendo Switch 2 for $60
Joy-Con 2 Bundle for $95
Switch 2 Pro Controller for $85
Switch 2 Camera for $55
Hori Nintendo Switch 2 Piranha Plant Camera for $60
Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip for $40
Joy-Con 2 Wheels (Set of 2) for $25
Switch 2 All-in-One Carrying Case for $85
*As of 5 PM ET on Thursday, April 24, Amazon has not yet listed any first-party Switch 2 accessories for sale. We will update this article with direct links when they become available; for now, we will link to the Nintendo hub on the site.
In-Depth Information About the Nintendo Switch 2
From the teaser trailer released for the Switch 2, we learned that Nintendo’s new hardware is larger and features a revamped design for the detachable Joy-Cons. The new Joy-Con 2 includes an innovative C button, improved mouse control features, and a built-in gyroscope for enhanced tilt control. Additionally, the console boasts a built-in microphone that supports a new feature called Game Chat, allowing you to communicate seamlessly with friends during gameplay. The device is indeed larger, equipped with a 7.9-inch LCD screen that supports a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR, and a stunning 1080p resolution.
When docked, gamers will have the capability to play in up to 4K resolution on their televisions, and Nintendo asserts that the internal speakers of the console have also seen improvements. The new dock is designed with a built-in fan to help maintain optimal performance and keep the console cool during extended gaming sessions. The Switch 2 features dual USB-C ports for convenient charging, and the base storage capacity has been increased to 256GB. Similar to the previous model, the storage on the Switch 2 can be expanded, but it will exclusively support the newer microSD Express cards.
Understanding Tariffs and Their Impact on the Nintendo Switch 2
During Nintendo’s most recent Direct presentation at the beginning of April, the company unveiled more details about the Switch 2 than ever before, including the announcement of the April 9 pre-order date and the original starting price of $450. Shortly thereafter, President Trump introduced sweeping tariffs affecting China and other countries, which compelled Nintendo to postpone pre-orders in the U.S. and Canada.
In an unexpected turn, President Trump later announced a 90-day pause on significant “reciprocal” tariffs affecting 75 countries, while simultaneously increasing the tariff imposed on China (currently up to 245 percent). This has significant implications for the pricing and availability of the Switch 2.
It has been confirmed that the original price of $450 for the Switch 2 will remain in effect in both the U.S. and Canada, although Nintendo’s official statement hints at the possibility of future price increases. Furthermore, it is known that Nintendo has begun relocating some of its Switch console manufacturing to Vietnam since 2019. While the reciprocal tariff for Vietnam was initially set at 46 percent, it appears this has been paused in favor of a 10 percent reciprocal tariff that is currently in effect during the 90-day pause.
There is speculation that Nintendo plans to significantly increase production of Switch 2 consoles in Vietnam to stay on schedule, even if it means selling the console at a loss in the short term. The company will need to ramp up production considerably to meet the overwhelming demand for the Switch 2: according to Nintendo, 2.2 million people entered the pre-order lottery in Japan alone, which far exceeds the expected supply available in that region on launch day.
