The Nintendo Switch 2 goes on sale on Thursday. The hybrid handheld console successor has a release date of 5 June but you can still find some stock to pre-order.
After a delay, pre-orders also went live in the US on 24 April. Nintendo had delayed the start of Switch 2 pre-orders there in response to President Trump’s tariffs on foreign goods. The best news is that there is no increase to the $450 price.
Nintendo has put a plan in place that will hopefully limit scalpers and resellers’ ability to hoover up stock. That means if you’re eager to get your hands on one on launch day, there are a few hoops you’ll have to jump through. These vary based on where you are in the world.
Want to pre-order accessories like the Switch 2 Camera, Switch 2 Pro Controller or Switch 2 Gamecube controller? Those are now available through the My Nintendo Store and you can easily order these elsewhere, too. Currys has some bundles available, including one with Mario Kart World, 2 wireless controllers, 2 Joy-Con 2 wheels, and the camera; or there’s a Street Fighter 6 bundle with Pro controller and camera.
US Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders
The Switch 2 console will cost $450, while a bundle including Mario Kart Worlds will cost $500.
Retailers like Amazon, Best Buy and Target will have the console for sale but at the time of writing stock was very low, with no pre-order info on Amazon.
Nintendo did keep some consoles for loyal customers. You will have been given access to a pre-order slot if you’re a Switch Online subscriber with a minimum of twelve months’ continued membership and have 50 total gameplay hours on your profile.
The closest thing to a launch day discount is if you trade in your old Switch console via Gamestop. The part-exchange retailer will boost trade-in values of the first-gen Switch, Switch OLED and Switch Lite through to April 30, which could mean as much as $175 off the cost of a Switch 2.
Switch OLEDs in good working condition and with all the original accessories will earn $175 of credit, up from the usual $143; the regular Switch will get $125 in credit rather than $110, and the Switch Lite gets $100 instead of $71.50. GameStop Pro members get an extra 10% of trade-in credit on top.
Best Buy stores will also have late-night store openings on Thursday 5 June at 12:01am ET. The retailer says: “In addition to fulfilling pre-orders, most stores will have limited inventory of systems, games and accessories for in-store purchase. Customers will also have the chance to receive a Nintendo commemorative coin.” Check participating stores.
GameStop is similar with pickups starting at 12am EST, 9pm PST on 4 June and extra stock available. Check your local store.
UK Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders
UK Switch 2 prices are set at £395 for the Switch 2 console by itself, or £430 for the bundle with Mario Kart World.
Retailers, such as Currys and EE have been accepting pre-orders since they started. Amazon also now has a standard listing awaiting stock, having previously done an invite-based pre-order. Smyths Toys also has consoles available from time to time,
As in the US. Nintendo did keep some consoles for loyal customers. You will have been given access to a pre-order slot if you’re a Switch Online subscriber with a minimum of twelve months’ continued membership and have 50 total gameplay hours on your profile.
Currys is doing an old-school midnight opening but it’s only in London’s Oxford Street and only for people who have pre-ordered the console. This isn’t mentioned on the Currys Switch 2 page.
Smyths Toys will also be holding old school midnight openings for the console. All stores will have ‘limited stock’ of Switch 2 to purchase from 12:01am until 12:30am on June 5.
“Customers who pre-ordered for Click & Collect or In-Store Collection can collect their console from 12:01am. Photo ID is required to collect pre-orders. We will also have limited stock of Nintendo Switch 2 available for purchase!”
In addition handful of Smyth stores in Belfast, Glasgow, Hull, Romford and Stockport are also open from 11pm for the following event: “Take part in an exciting Mario Kart World gameplay demo. Plus the first 100 attendees will receive a FREE goodie bag packed with awesome Nintendo merch — while stocks last! No registration needed — play and celebrate the next level of Nintendo gaming with us!”
Retailer Game is also in trouble with certain Switch 2 users as it has cancelled some pre-orders for the Switch 2 – which it apologised for on X/Twitter. Surely it could have given the buyer the option to simply have their console at a later date?