by Noah Apr 25,2025
The wait is over for Nintendo fans as **preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2** officially go live from midnight EST on **April 24 (9 pm PST, April 23)** at major US retailers, including **Walmart**. Alongside the console, official **games and accessories** are also available for preorder today. Secure your spot now to ensure you don't miss out on this highly anticipated release.
$529.99 save 6%
$499.00 at Walmart
Bookmark this page for the latest 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.
When you're ready to purchase, you have two main options: the Nintendo Switch 2 at $449.99, or the Nintendo Switch 2: Mario Kart World bundle at $499.99. Let us know in the comments if you successfully secure your preorder.
Which should you buy? If you're picking up a Switch 2 at launch, the Mario Kart World Bundle offers the best value. You get Mario Kart World for just $50 more, instead of the full $79.99 MSRP, saving you $30 versus buying the game separately.
The Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle is a limited-time release and is expected 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 the best value.
PSA: Expect high demand across the board. Be prepared for virtual queues, slow websites, and potential checkout issues. To improve your odds, 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, or keep a backup card handy just in case.
$69.99 at Target
$79.99 at Target
$79.99 at Target
$79.99 at Target
$69.99 at Target
$59.99 at Target
$39.99 at Target
$79.99 at Target
$69.99 at Target
$69.99 at Target
$59.99 at Target
$99.99 at Target
$79.99 at Target
The Nintendo Switch 2 is already building an impressive library, blending new exclusives with upgraded re-releases of fan favorites. Heavyweights like Donkey Kong Bananza and Mario Kart World are leading the charge, available for preorder now, alongside enhanced versions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, optimized for the new hardware.
Not all titles will be available at launch on June 5. For example, Donkey Kong Bananza won't hit shelves until July 17, and other big names like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokémon Legends: Z-A are still missing from preorder listings, both for Switch 2 and the current model.
Every confirmed Switch 2 game currently available for preorder is listed above, along with all the necessary retailer links.
$84.99 at Target
$39.99 at Target
$24.99 at Target
$59.99 at Target
$94.99 at Target
$54.99 at Target
$84.99 at Target
$39.99 at Target
$13.99 at Target
$34.99 at Target
$119.99 at Nintendo Store
Nintendo has kept the price of the Switch 2 console itself unchanged, but nearly every accessory has seen a slight 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." In other words, expect to pay an extra $5 for main accessories like the new Joy-Con 2 controllers, the Switch 2 Pro Controller, and the camera add-on. The Dock Set sees the biggest jump, increasing by $10 to $119.99.
If you're planning to buy the full ecosystem at launch, the above list provides all the accessories currently available for preorder, despite the price hike, along with every retailer you can preorder from.
Preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2 started on April 24 for most major US retailers, but specifics vary by store. Here's a breakdown of what each one offers and what to expect for 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, a small saving compared to $499.99 elsewhere.
GameStop: Features 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. Stock is expected to be tight, but every game and accessory is available for preorder.
Best Buy: Plans midnight launch events for June 5. Online preorders started on April 24. Also offers alternative Switch 2 bundles or "packages."
Amazon: No listings yet. Nintendo products have been missing lately; it's uncertain whether this will change before launch.
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: Cannot meet demand, preorders likely to sell out
It's been a chaotic few weeks for anyone in the US trying to secure 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 for April 9, the launch was pushed back due to the impact of Trump-era tariffs and "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. Now, they're sold out. If you're hesitating in the US, take note: stock won't last forever, especially for the bundle.
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So should you preorder the Switch 2 or wait? Nintendo has already stated it will struggle to meet worldwide demand. They 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 on 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 whether 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, it can sell out in seconds. With high demand expected, here are some key tips from the IGN commerce team to improve your chances of getting a Switch 2 at launch:
While it may come down to chance, and we recommend buying 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 plan to buy elsewhere, if you qualify, it's worth registering as a backup option.
2025 is 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 worth keeping on your radar.
Below you can find 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.
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