Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-orders
Image: Nintendo Life

Update #3 []: Nintendo has announced that US pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 will begin on 24th April 2025. The base hardware, Mario Kart World bundle, and launch games will remain at the same price, while previously-announced accessory prices have been increased "due to changes in market conditions".

We'll update this guide with pre-order links as soon as they're live - retailers such as Best Buy have pages up, but you won't be able to pre-order until midnight ET on 24th April.

Update #2 []: With My Nintendo Store pre-orders now live in Europe for games and accessories, we've added those to the guide below.

Remember, for Switch 2 systems, the GameCube controller, and microSD Express card pre-orders direct from Nintendo, you'll need to have received a pre-order invite. For anything else — or if you're buying from another retailer — there are no such restrictions.

Still no word on a Switch 2 pre-order date for the US and Canada. We'll update the moment there's news.

Update #1 []: Pre-orders from My Nintendo Store in the UK and Europe are live now - IF you received an invite in your email inbox!

Also, as announced last week by Nintendo, pre-orders in the US are being postponed from the planned 9th April date, although the US release date of 5th June remains unchanged at the time of writing.

Original Story: Following the Direct showcase, Switch 2 pre-orders from Nintendo itself went live on the 8th April in the UK and Europe. Pre-orders in the US and Canada will come at an unspecified later date.

Other retailers had them live earlier, though. Although they're selling out fast in Europe, they're still popping up here and there, so if you're hoping to get a Switch 2 on launch day, you'll want to slam down your money sharpish.

In this guide, we've collected the latest info, plus the best Switch 2 pre-order options from Nintendo and reputable retailers in the US and UK, including any discounts or bundle deals. We've also included Switch 2 controllers, accessories (such as cards and cases), as well as games.

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Pre-order Nintendo Switch 2

Below, we are tracking prices for Nintendo Switch 2 consoles to save you the hassle of searching across all retailers. Simply have a look through and choose the best deal available!

We'll be updating this page daily, sometimes hourly! If you want to buy from My Nintendo Store, you'll need to have received an email invite from Nintendo - scroll down for the requirements.

When will Switch 2 pre-orders start in the US? 24th April is the date, following a delay. GameStop, Best Buy, and Walmart have pre-order pages live, although you can't actually click to pre-order yet. Watch this space.

Switch 2 controllers

Extra pads are always handy. Your old Switch controllers will connect wirelessly to Switch 2, remember, but if you need to pre-order Switch 2 Joy-Con or the new, updated Pro Controller, here they are:

And here's the brand new GameCube controller that's exclusive to My Nintendo Store (although at the time of writing, as with the console itself, you'll need an invite from Nintendo to buy this one):

Switch 2 accessories

There are plenty of extras coming out for the new console. If you're looking to get the most out of GameChat, for example, you'll need a camera. And here's where you'll find all the important extras you might want to pick up with the console:

Switch 2 games

What's a console without games, eh? Here are some essential Switch 2 launch titles you might want to pick up:

Switch 2 storage

Finally, while the system comes with 256GB of internal storage, that could fill up quickly depending on the games you buy, and especially if you're planning to transfer a large Switch 1 library to the new console.

Switch 2 uses a different type of microSD card, too - Switch 1 cards are incompatible, unfortunately. You may want to expand your memory with a new microSD Express card - check out our guide for details and deals:

How to Pre-order Nintendo Switch 2 directly from Nintendo

Nintendo has some provisos for anybody ordering from the My Nintendo Store directly.

You can currently register your interest to buy a Switch 2 in the US, and the restrictions are slightly different.

My Nintendo Store Pre-Order Invitation Requirements - US & Canada

In the US and Canada, you can register your interest right now by signing in with a Nintendo Account on the US My Nintendo Store page and selecting the bundle you're interested in.

Pre-orders were originally planned to go live on 9th April, but Nintendo announced a delay as it assessed the impact of US tariffs. Pre-orders in the region will now go live on 24th April. The planned 5th June Switch 2 US release date remains unchanged, as does the hardware and launch titles prices. Accessories, however have had their prices adjusted "due to changes in market conditions".

"The first batch of invitations will go out starting May 8, 2025", according to Nintendo. However, to be eligible for an invite, here are the restrictions:

Open to Nintendo Account holders in the U.S. and Canada, who are at least 18 years old. If you are eligible, an invitation email will be sent to the email address associated with your Nintendo Account when it is your time to purchase. The invitation will be valid for 72 hours. Invitation emails will be prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis to registrants who have purchased a Nintendo Switch Online membership with a minimum of 12 months of paid membership and a minimum of 50 total gameplay hours, as of April 2, 2025. Once invitation emails have been sent to all registrants meeting the priority criteria, invitations will be sent to remaining eligible registrants on a first-come, first-served basis.
Invitations are non-transferable and will be sent to the email address associated with the Nintendo Account that registered interest in purchasing Nintendo Switch 2. Optional accessories will be available to purchase alongside your system. For system and each accessory, limit one purchase per eligible Nintendo Account during the invitation period.

My Nintendo Store Pre-Order Invitation Requirements - UK and Europe

Switch 2 pre-orders from Nintendo's official store began on 8th April in the UK and Europe by invitation only, though with slightly different criteria.

Invitations are being sent out (we received one on the 9th). Here is the criteria:

  • You must have had a Nintendo Switch Online subscription for "at least two years continuously" by 31st March 2025. You'll also need to have an active membership at the time of the pre-order. For family groups, only the one who purchases the membership is eligible.
  • You'll also need to have spent "a certain amount of time playing" paid-for Switch games (it's 50 hours in the US), with priority going to people with more playtime. Additionally, you'll also need to be sharing usage information with Nintendo, specifically to "customise offers and recommendations".
  • You'll also need to have opted in to receive emails from Nintendo - otherwise the invite wouldn't come through.

Here's some more fine print from the My Nintendo Store page:

Eligibility is based on data as of 31/03/2025.
Supervised Nintendo Accounts are not eligible to purchase on My Nintendo Store. For family memberships, the person who purchased the membership will be eligible to pre-order. Other people in the family membership are not eligible.
Over time, the selection criteria thresholds may be lowered and more people could be invited to pre-order a Nintendo Switch 2 console. Throughout, we will remain focussed on prioritising the most dedicated Nintendo Switch players (while stocks last).
Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 digital games, upgrade packs and amiibo will open on My Nintendo Store from 24/04.

Price and what's in the Switch 2 box

In the US, the standard retail price for the Nintendo Switch 2 is $449.99; in the UK, the system will retail for £395.99.

There is also a Mario Kart World bundle for $499.99 / £429.99 which includes a digital download for that launch game as well as the console.

Here's a rundown of everything included in the base package:

  • Nintendo Switch 2 console
  • Joy-Con 2 controllers (L+R)
  • Joy-Con 2 Grip
  • Joy-Con 2 Straps
  • Nintendo Switch 2 Dock
  • Ultra High-Speed HDMI Cable
  • Nintendo Switch 2 AC Adapter
  • USB-C Charging Cable

So, that's everything we know right now. With demand sure to be high at launch, you shouldn't expect discounts at this point, although some retailers may throw in a bonus or two with your pre-order.

Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Orders FAQ

When is the Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date?

The Nintendo Switch 2 is scheduled to launch on 5th June 2025.

Are there any more Switch 2 colours?

At launch, the Switch 2 will only be available in the standard dark grey with blue/salmon highlights. We'd be surprised if Nintendo didn't release an alternative colourway at some point in the future, but for now, that's your only option.

What are the Switch 2 launch titles?

There are a whopping 22 launch titles for Switch 2 (bumped up to 25 when you include the three launching in the GameCube NSO Library). This includes first-party newbies like Mario Kart World and Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, third-party ports like Split Fiction, Street Fighter 6 and Cyberpunk 2077, and a handful of Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games for Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.

For the full list of Switch 2 launch titles, check out our complete guide below.

Should I buy a Switch 2 if I already own a Nintendo Switch?

If you want access to the latest and (hopefully) greatest games from Nintendo — games which you can't play on any other console — Switch 2 is your only option.

One thing that might make the decision easier: Switch 2 is backwards compatible with Switch 1 games, so you will be able to play nearly all of your existing library on the new system. There will be outliers that aren't fully compatible (see Labo), but the vast majority of your Switch 1 games should play on Switch 2, too.

Let us know in the comments if you decide to get in there on day one! And if you're interested in upgrading your TV to take advantage of the new system's features, check out our guide to the Best 4K TVs for Switch 2.