Preorders for the highly anticipated **Nintendo Switch 2** are officially live, starting from midnight EST on April 24 (9 pm PST, April 23) at major US retailers such as **Walmart**. Alongside the console, official **games and accessories** are also available for preorder today. Here's where you can secure your preorder now.
Starting at $529.99, save 6% and get it for $499.00 at Walmart. Bookmark this page for live updates on Switch 2 preorders throughout the day and until the console's launch on June 5.
For instant alerts as more retailers go live, follow @IGNDeals on Twitter/X or Bluesky.
When you're ready to purchase, you have two main options: the standard Nintendo Switch 2 at $449.99, or the Nintendo Switch 2: Mario Kart World bundle for $499.99. Let us know in the comments if you successfully secure your preorder.
Which should you buy? If you're planning to get a Switch 2 at launch, the Mario Kart World Bundle offers the best value. You'll get Mario Kart World for just $50 more than the standard console, instead of the full $79.99 MSRP, saving you $30 compared to buying the game separately.
The Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle is a limited-time offer and likely to be the most sought-after version at launch. It's not just about getting a Switch 2; it's about getting the one that offers excellent value.
PSA: Expect high demand. Be prepared for virtual queues, slow websites, and potential checkout issues. To improve your chances, log in ahead of time, ideally before navigating to the Switch 2 listings, and ensure your shipping and payment information is saved to your account. Keep a backup card handy just in case.
Nintendo Switch 2 is already building an impressive library, featuring new exclusives and enhanced re-releases of fan favorites. Key titles like Donkey Kong Bananza ($69.99) and Mario Kart World ($79.99) are leading the way and available for preorder now, alongside upgraded versions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, optimized for the new hardware.
However, not all titles will be available at launch. Donkey Kong Bananza, for example, won't hit shelves until July 17, and major titles like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokémon Legends: Z-A are still missing from preorder listings for both the Switch 2 and the current model.
Every confirmed Switch 2 game available for preorder is listed above, with retailer links provided.
Nintendo has not changed the price of the Switch 2 console itself, but almost every accessory has seen a price increase. In a recent update, the company confirmed that several Switch 2 peripherals would "experience price adjustments from those announced on April 2 due to changes in market conditions." This means that most accessories are now slightly more expensive.
Expect to pay an additional $5 for main accessories like the new Joy-Con 2 controllers, the Switch 2 Pro Controller, and the much-hyped camera add-on. The Dock Set has the biggest price jump, increasing by $10 to $119.99.
Despite the price hikes, if you plan to purchase the full ecosystem at launch, the full list of accessories currently available for preorder is listed above, along with links to every retailer where you can preorder.
Preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2 began on April 24 for most major US retailers, with slight variations by store. Here’s a breakdown of what each retailer offers and what to expect regarding launch day delivery and in-store pickup.
Walmart: Offers the fastest delivery (by 9 am on June 5) if ordered before launch day. Currently the cheapest at $499.
GameStop: Midnight launch pickups at select stores. In-store preorders start during store hours; online preorders begin at 11 am EST, April 24.
Target: Online-only preorders opened at 12 am EST, April 24.
Best Buy: Midnight launch events 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 promises one of the most aggressive delivery times: consoles ordered at launch are expected to arrive by 9 am on release day, June 5. This rare guarantee is likely to drive quick sellouts. Additionally, Walmart currently offers the console for $499, a small but notable saving compared to $499.99 at other retailers.
GameStop is also capitalizing on the midnight-release excitement, with select locations offering in-store pickup as soon as the clock strikes twelve on June 5. In-store preorders are available during regular hours starting April 24, while online availability kicks in at 11 am EST.
Target opened preorders at midnight, sticking to online-only options for now. Stock is expected to be tight, but it's a bonus that Target already has every game and accessory available for preorder.
Best Buy confirmed April 24 as its preorder date, with preorders starting at 12 am EST. It also offers alternative Switch 2 bundles or "packages" that might be worth checking out if you struggle to buy the console and accessories individually. Like GameStop, Best Buy is planning midnight launch events at some stores, though the full rollout plan is still being finalized.
The biggest question mark remains Amazon. As of now, the retail giant has no official listings for the Switch 2, its accessories, or its games. This isn't an isolated case; over the past year, Nintendo products have quietly disappeared from Amazon's US storefront, including Switch Online memberships and digital game codes. Whether this signals a distribution snag or a strategic shift is unclear, but for now, it leaves potential buyers without one of the most convenient ordering options.
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 increased by about $5 each compared to initial announcements
Nintendo: Can't meet demand, preorders likely to sell out
The past few weeks have been chaotic for US consumers trying to secure a Nintendo Switch 2. Following 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 Trump-era tariffs and "evolving market conditions."
Meanwhile, the UK got a head start with preorders going live on April 8 and 9, and some retailers even earlier on April 2. Now, those preorders are sold out. So, if you're hesitating in the US, remember: stock won’t last forever—especially for the bundle.
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So should you preorder the Switch 2 or wait? Nintendo is already indicating it will struggle to meet worldwide demand. They stated: "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."
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."
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.
Follow IGN Deals on X and Bluesky
Log in to retailer accounts: Walmart, Amazon, etc.
Have a credit card saved in your account
Subscribe to our IGN Deals Email Newsletter
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While it may come down to chance, and we're recommending folks to buy from major retailers ASAP to avoid disappointment, Nintendo is also 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 as a backup option.
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.