Switch 2 pre-orders start on April 8, but there's a catch. Seems like getting the new Nintendo console won’t be easy
Nintendo’s strict pre-order rules might keep scalpers out, but they could also make things harder for players. With the Switch 2 launching on June 5, everyone eager to buy one will want to secure their purchase as soon as possible.
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We got some great news from today’s Nintendo Direct! Tons of for up to 120 FPS. But there was one big question left unanswered: when do pre-orders start? A lot of us probably expected them to go live right after the showcase, but all they said was that more details would be available on the Nintendo Store. And from the looks of it, we might have to be a little patient before we can secure one.
Want a Switch 2? You might need to meet these requirements
Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders kick off on April 8, with the official launch set for June 5. That means we’re less than a week away from finally being able to lock in a purchase! But the more I dig into the fine print, the more anxious I get.
First, let’s talk prices:
- The base Switch 2 is going for $449.99.
- The Mario Kart World Bundle (which includes a digital copy of the game) is priced at $499.99.
As of now, all we can do is " interest" for pre-ordering the Switch 2 in US or Canada on the Nintendo Store before April 8 – then it's just a waiting game for that invitation email. But what happens next? Will everyone who signs up actually get to buy one on launch day?
Players in Europe, the UK, and the rest of the world didn’t get a chance to for a Switch 2 pre-order. It’s only available through the Nintendo Store in the US and Canada.
According to the FAQ, "Initial invitation emails will be sent out on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible registrants who meet the priority criteria." And those criteria are:
As of 4/2/2025, you must have been the one who purchased any Nintendo Switch Online hip, you must have had any paid Nintendo Switch Online hip for a minimum of 12 months, and you must have opted in to share gameplay data and have at least 50 hours total gameplay hours.
So, if you're new to Nintendo and were hoping to make the Switch 2 your first console, pre-ordering might be a real challenge. But on the other hand, at least scalpers are gonna have a harder time too.
It definitely looks like demand for Switch 2 will be through the roof and retailers might have really limited stock. Let’s just hope this doesn’t turn into another PlayStation 5 situation, where everything vanished in seconds back in 2020.
