Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders are officially opening in the U.S. on April 24. This news comes after the original plan to open pre-orders on April 9 was delayed due to the “potential impact of tariffs.” Thankfully, the console isn’t increasing in price from what was originally announced — $449.99 for the console, with a $499.99 version that includes Mario Kart World. However, many of its optional accessories will cost you more (but not much more).
While I wish to exist in a world where one could easily click “buy” once pre-orders open and be guaranteed a Switch 2 come the June 5 release date, it’s not so simple in reality. Thousands of people are going to be showing up simultaneously, putting a strain on both servers and allocated pre-order stock. In other words, it might take some luck to score a pre-order reservation, even though the likes of Walmart and Target are kicking off pre-orders at midnight on April 24.
That said, there are ways you can prepare yourself for April 24 in the hopes of boosting your chance of success, starting with making accounts at all of the major retailers. If you’re a longtime Nintendo Switch player, you might be eligible to skip the usual online retailer rush with the tips below.
How to reserve a Switch 2 pre-order at Nintendo
Starting with Nintendo, the company is accepting sign-ups for those hoping to reserve a Switch 2, but there are multiple requirements in place, likely to quash the number of consoles resellers can get their hands on. To express interest in pre-ordering a Switch 2 from Nintendo, you must have already done the following by April 2:
- Buy at least 12 months worth of a Nintendo Switch Online membership
- Have at least 50 gameplay hours logged to your Nintendo account
- Opt in to share gameplay data in your Nintendo account’s privacy settings
Only if you meet that criteria can you submit the form to express interest in reserving. That said, there’s no guarantee that you’ll be chosen to receive an invite. But if you are chosen, you’ll get an email from Nintendo on or after May 8 to purchase either the $449.99 model, or the $499.99 model that includes Mario Kart World. If you receive an invitation, you’ll have 72 hours to follow through with a purchase. It’s possible that general pre-orders will be available at Nintendo starting April 24, but this opportunity is just for Switch Online subscribers.
How to pre-order a Switch 2 at Best Buy
Whether you qualify for Nintendo’s strict pre-order process or not, it’s a good idea to sign up for email notifications at Best Buy through this page. Doing so will ensure that you get an email with a specific pre-order time for the Switch 2. Additionally, it’ll loop you into a newsletter that’s only about the Switch 2, its games, and related content (you won’t receive other Best Buy newsletters).
It’s worth mentioning as well that you’ll need to have a Best Buy account to buy a Switch 2 there, so be sure to create one ahead of time.
How to pre-order Switch 2 at GameStop
GameStop has a product page up for the Switch 2, and you’ll want to enter your email address to receive communications about the specific pre-order details. Pre-orders will be available when stores open on April 24 and online at 11 a.m. EDT, according to a GameStop spokesperson.
Additionally, if you plan to pre-order at GameStop, you should know that it will be running a promotion that lets customers get up to $175 trade-in credit for their Switch consoles when reserving a Switch 2. The amount of trade-in credit you’ll get depends on the model you’re trading in, as well as its condition and whether you have all of the components.
How to pre-order a Switch 2 at Walmart
Walmart will begin its pre-orders online at 12 a.m. EDT on April 24. It shared that orders placed before June 4 at 8 a.m. local time will be eligible for free delivery of the console by 9 a.m. local time on launch day.
How to pre-order a Switch 2 at Target
Like Walmart, Target will accept online pre-orders for the Switch 2 starting at 12 a.m. EDT on April 24.
Update (April 18): Walmart, Target, and GameStop confirmed their respective start times for accepting pre-orders for the Switch 2, and you’ll find them in this post. We’ll add more as we receive confirmation from other retailers.
