It’s coming. The highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 now has a release date. During the April 3 Nintendo Direct event, the company announced that its new handheld will hit shelves on June 5, along with plenty of other juicy details about its features, specs and some new games that will be released alongside the console.
There’s a hiccup, however, with preorders. They were originally supposed to open on April 9, but the new tariffs put in place by the Trump administration mean US gamers will have to wait a little longer. Below, we’ve rounded up everything you want to know, including when, where and how you’ll be able to preorder Nintendo’s latest console.
Watch this: Switch 2 Detailed: What You Need to Know
Where to preorder the Nintendo Switch 2
Preordering directly from Nintendo is the obvious choice if you’re looking to grab the Switch 2 on release day. You can order just the console for $450, or bundle it with Mario Kart World for $500. You can register for preorders now, with priority being given to Nintendo Switch Online members who’ve had a paid membership for at least 12 months and have a minimum of 50 total gameplay hours as of April 2.
Both the standalone console and Mario Kart World bundle will be available for preorder at Walmart. There aren’t any details available yet, but there’s always a chance that Walmart Plus subscribers will be given first dibs. At the very least, we’d recommend having an account with your payment info and shipping address, which could save you valuable seconds during the checkout process.
GameStop is another major retailer that’s confirmed it’ll be offering Switch 2 preorders. Sign up for email notifications to get the latest updates about availability sent straight to your inbox, and create your account now so you won’t have to worry about entering your payment and shipping information during checkout.
In addition to the console, Target will also be offering preorders for a number of Switch 2 games and accessories. Though it’s unclear if these preorders will go live at the same time as the console. As with other retailers, there’s a possibility that Target Circle members will be given priority, and we’d recommend at least creating a free account and entering your payment and shipping info beforehand.
Best Buy is one of the largest tech retailers out there, so it’s no surprise the chain will be offering Switch 2 preorders as well. You’ll need to have a Best Buy account to preorder the console, and you’ll have to verify your location details during checkout. Select stores will also be having a midnight release. You can sign up for email notifications if you want to stay up to date with the latest news.
As of now, it’s unclear whether Newegg will be offering Switch 2 preorders. However, it’s participated in similar events in the past, and we’re hopeful this release will be the same. Newegg is also less popular than other online retailers, like Amazon, so there may be less traffic and competition, which increases your chances of a successful preorder.
When can I preorder the Nintendo Switch 2?
Preorders were set to open on April 9, and for most countries, that’s still the case. However, in light of the new tariffs levied on Japan and other countries, Nintendo has delayed preorders in the US while it assesses “the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions.” As of now, we don’t know when US preorders will start, but we’re closely monitoring the situation and will update this article as soon as new information is available.
Read more: How Nintendo Is Combating Switch 2 Scalpers
How much will the Nintendo Switch 2 cost?
The standalone console will start at $450, which is a $150 increase compared with the original Switch. You can also bundle it with Mario Kart World for $500, which saves you $30 compared with purchasing the game and system separately. Nintendo may increase these prices, however, to cover some or all of the cost of the relevant tariffs.
When will the Nintendo Switch 2 be released?
The Switch 2 is scheduled to begin shipping on June 5. As of now, Nintendo has said the preorder delay in the US won’t affect its release date.
When can I preorder Nintendo Switch 2 accessories?
Nintendo and several other retailers already have preorder pages for controllers, cases and other accessories, as well as games. It’s likely preorders for those will begin at the same time as preorders for consoles, but there’s no official confirmation yet.
When can I preorder Nintendo Switch 2 games?
As with accessories, we expect that Switch 2 game preorders will be available when console preorders go live.
Watch this: Nintendo Switch 2 vs. Nintendo Switch: Spec Breakdown
Will the Nintendo Switch 2 come in other colors?
For the new Switch 2, Nintendo has ditched the colored Joy-Cons for a more sleek, monochrome look — though there are still pops of red and blue around the analog sticks. As of now, Nintendo hasn’t said anything about additional colors.
Is the Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World Bundle worth it?
The Mario Kart series has been a long-standing tentpole for Nintendo, and fans we’re thrilled to hear that a new title is on the way. However, the excitement was dampened by the announcement that the new game will come with an increased price tag — $80 for the digital edition or $90 if you want a physical copy. That being said, you can bundle a digital copy with the console on release day for $500 total, which saves you $30 compared to buying them separately. It’s an excellent value if it’s a game you’re certain you want in your library, and likely the only “discount” we’ll see on this title for quite some time.
Nintendo Switch 2 preorders: What are people saying?
Feelings about the Switch 2 are mixed, to say the least. Though the new console certainly offers some nice upgrades over its predecessor, including a larger screen, improved Joy-Cons and boosted storage, many people are wondering if it’s enough to justify a fairly significant price hike. Especially when you consider the new $80 price of its two biggest launch-window games: Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza. CNET gaming expert Scott Stein sums it up as a console that “feels a lot like an updated version of a system many people already own.” Additionally, the confusion about preorder availability has many gamers wondering if they’d be better off waiting a year or two and grabbing a refurbished console at a lower price.
Watch this: We Played Nintendo Switch 2: Mario, Donkey Kong, Mouse, Camera and a Lot More
