Nintendo Switch 2 preorders are officially live from midnight EST on April 24 (9 pm PST, April 23) at major US retailers like Walmart, alongside official games and accessories also up today. Here’s where you can lock in your preorder now.
Bookmark this page for live Switch 2 preorder updates throughout today, and until the console’s launch on June 5.
For instant alerts as more retailers go live, follow @IGNDeals on Twitter/X or Bluesky.
Switch 2: Where to Preorder
When you get through to purchase, you’ve got two main options: the Nintendo Switch 2 ($449.99), or the Nintendo Switch 2: Mario Kart World bundle ($499.99). Let us know in the comments if you manage to secure your preorder.
Which should you buy? If you’re picking up a Switch 2 at launch, the Mario Kart World Bundle is hands down the best value. You’re getting Mario Kart World for just $50 more, instead of the full $79.99 MSRP, saving you $30 versus buying the game separately.
Nintendo Switch 2: Mario Kart World Bundle
Nintendo Switch 2
The Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle is also a limited-time release, and ultimately, it’s the version most buyers will be scrambling for. This isn’t just about getting a Switch 2, it’s about getting the one that actually offers good value at launch.
PSA: You should also expect demand to be high across the board. Be ready for virtual queues, sluggish sites, and potential checkout hiccups.
To improve your odds, log in ahead of time, ideally before navigating to the Switch 2 listings, and make sure your shipping and payment info is saved to your account, or keep a backup card nearby just in case.
Nintendo Switch 2 Games: Where to Preorder
Nintendo Switch 2 is already building a stacked library, blending shiny new exclusives with upgraded re-releases of fan favorites. Heavyweights like Donkey Kong Bananza ($69.99) and Mario Kart World ($79.99) are leading the charge, both available to preorder right now, alongside enhanced versions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, fine-tuned for the new hardware.
But don’t expect everything to drop on day one. Some titles are launching with the console on June 5, but others are lagging behind. Donkey Kong Bananza doesn’t hit shelves until July 17, and big names like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokémon Legends: Z-A are still missing from preorder listings entirely, on both Switch 2 and the current model.
That said, every confirmed Switch 2 game that is available to lock in is listed above, with all the retailer links you’ll need right here.
Where To Preorder Switch 2 Games
Nintendo Switch 2 Accessories: Where to Preorder
Nintendo hasn’t touched the price of the Switch 2 console itself, but almost every accessory has quietly crept up in cost. In a recent update, the company confirmed that several Switch 2 peripherals will “experience price adjustments from those announced on April 2 due to changes in market conditions.” Translation? Pretty much everything is a little more expensive now.
Expect to pay an extra $5 for the main accessories, including the new Joy-Con 2 controllers, the Switch 2 Pro Controller, and the much-hyped camera add-on. The Dock Set sees the biggest jump, climbing $10 to $119.99.
Still, if you’re planning to pick up the full ecosystem at launch, above is the full list of accessories currently up for preorder—price hike or not, alongside every retailer you can preorder from just below as well.
Where To Preorder Switch 2 Accessories
Which Retailer Should You Preorder the Switch 2 From?
Preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2 started on April 24 for most major US retailers, but the specifics vary slightly by store. Here’s a breakdown of what each one is offering, and what to expect when it comes to launch day delivery and in-store pickup.
TL;DR: Switch 2 Preorder – Retailer Guide
- Walmart: Fastest delivery (by 9 am on June 5) if ordered before launch day.
- GameStop: Midnight launch pickups at select stores. In-store preorders start with store hours; online starts at 11 am EST, April 24.
- Target: Online-only preorders opened at 12 am EST, April 24.
- Best Buy: Midnight launch events also planned for June 5. Online preorders started April 24.
- Amazon: No listings yet. Nintendo products have been missing lately; it’s uncertain whether this will change before launch.
Walmart is currently offering one of the most aggressive delivery promises: consoles ordered right at launch are expected to arrive by 9 am on release day, June 5. It’s a rare guarantee, and one that’s likely to drive a quick sellout. Moreover, it’s currently the cheapest offering at $499, rather than $499.99 everywhere else. Small savings, but well worth considering.
GameStop is also leaning into the midnight-release hype, with select locations set to offer in-store pickup as soon as the clock strikes twelve on June 5. In-store preorders are open during regular hours from April 24, while online availability doesn’t kick in until 11 am EST.
Target also flipped the switch at midnight, though it’s sticking to online-only preorders for now. As with most major launches, stock is expected to be tight. But, it does already have every game and accessory up for preorder as well, which is a nice bonus if you’re looking to pick up a few extras when preordering.
Best Buy, meanwhile, has confirmed April 24 as its preorder date and has also commited to a 12 am EST start time for preorders.
It’s also offering a selection of alternative Switch 2 bundles or “packages” that might be worth checking out if you’re struggling to buy the console and accessories individually. Like GameStop, it’s also planning midnight launch events at some stores, though the full rollout plan is still being finalized.
The biggest question mark, however, is Amazon. As of this writing, the retail giant has no official listings for the Switch 2 — not the console, not its accessories, not even the games.
This isn’t an isolated case; over the past year, Nintendo products have quietly disappeared from Amazon’s US storefront, including staples like Switch Online memberships and digital game codes.
Whether this signals a behind-the-scenes distribution snag or a strategic shift is unclear, but for now, it leaves would-be buyers without one of the most convenient ordering options.
Switch 2 FAQs: Delays, Price, Release Date
- Preorder Date: April 24, 2025
- Start Time: 12 am EST at major retailers like Walmart
- Release Date: June 5, 2025 (still on track)
- Price: $449.99 for the standard model, $499.99 for the Mario Kart World Bundle (limited stock)
- Accessories: Prices have crept up by about $5 each compared to initial announcements
- Nintendo: Can’t meet demand, preorders likely to sell out
It’s been a chaotic few weeks for anyone in the US trying to lock down a Nintendo Switch 2. After the Switch 2-focused Nintendo Direct in early April, Nintendo unexpectedly delayed preorders across the US and Canada. Originally set to go live on April 9, the launch was pushed back due to the impact of Trump-era tariffs and what the company called “evolving market conditions.”
Meanwhile, the UK got a head start. Preorders went live on April 8 and 9, with some retailers jumping the gun even earlier on April 2. And now? They’re wiped out. So if you’re hesitating in the US, take note: stock won’t hang around forever—especially not for the bundle.
So should you preorder the Switch 2 or wait? Nintendo is already saying it will currently struggle to meet worldwide demand. Stating: “We received an extremely large number of applications [at My Nintendo Store], approximately 2.2 million people in Japan alone.”
“However, this number far exceeds our expectations, and far exceeds the number of Nintendo Switch 2 consoles that can be delivered from the My Nintendo Store on June 5th. Therefore, unfortunately, we expect that a significant number of customers will not be selected when the winners are announced tomorrow, April 24th.”
What We Said in Our Switch 2 Preview
Here’s what Logan Plant had to say in IGN’s Nintendo Switch 2 preview: “Switch 2 is a more premium product and the price tag reflects that. It’s also a better version of a great thing, and it’s trying to pull off a bunch of cool new tricks at the same time, like mouse controls.
“Obviously we’re both buying Switch 2 on day one, and I did really love our hands-on time with the console. But I’ll be honest and say I have some concerns about if the general public is willing to adopt a $450 Nintendo console with an $80 Mario Kart.”
“It’s a big ask for a company that traditionally targets families and younger players, and I feel like the high cost of entry limits the Switch 2’s potential to take off in the way its predecessor did.”
“But for those of you that do decide to take the plunge, you’ll be getting what’s shaping up to be a great hybrid console that makes a ton of worthwhile improvements on the original Switch and adds some fun bells and whistles for good measure.”
How to Increase Your Chance of Getting a Switch 2
When a major piece of gaming hardware goes up for preorder at a retailer, there’s no telling how long it will be available. We’ve seen sought-after hardware sell out in seconds. With demand expected to be high, here are some key tips from the IGN commerce team to improve your chances of getting a Switch 2 at launch.
While it may leave it up to chance, and we’re recommending folk to buy from major retailers ASAP to avoid disappointment, Nintendo is also still offering a registration system through My Nintendo Store. Invites to purchase will be sent out on a first-come, first-served basis.
Priority will go to Nintendo Switch Online members with at least 12 months of paid membership and 50+ gameplay hours (as of April 2, 2025). Even if you are still planning to buy elsewhere, if you qualify it’s worth registering even just as a backup option.
Other Preorder Guides
2025 is already shaping up to be an exciting release year for games. Alongside the Switch 2, there are plenty of other great games releasing in the coming months that are worth keeping on your radar.
Below you can see some more of our preorder guides covering exciting releases like Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Doom: The Dark Ages, and more.
Robert Anderson is a deals expert and Senior Editor, Commerce, for IGN. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter/X or Bluesky.
