Nintendo’s Switch 2 console arrives in June. Photo: Nintendo via BusinessWire
Nintendo Switch 2 preorders begin early Thursday, and the hotly-anticipated consoles are expected to sell out quickly.
Why it matters: Preorders for Nintendo’s Switch sequel were delayed by two weeks in early April amid tariff uncertainty.
- The Switch 2 is expected to be in short supply globally.
- Nintendo is already warning that it can’t fulfill all 2.2 million preorders it has received in Japan, The Verge reports.
Flashback: Nintendo announced the Switch 2 price and launch date on April 2, the same day President Trump unveiled sweeping tariffs.
- That led Nintendo to pause the start of U.S. preorders to examine the impact of the tariffs.
What time do Switch 2 preorders start
Zoom in: Nintendo Switch 2 preorders open at midnight ET Thursday for most major retailers.
- That’s 9pm PT, 10pm MT and 11pm CT Wednesday.
- Games and accessories will also be available to preorder.
Nintendo Switch 2 pricing update
The big picture: Nintendo said last week it would maintain the launch pricing for the new gaming console.
- The Switch 2 has a suggested retail price of $449.99. The original Switch launched in 2017 at $299.
- The Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle costs $499.99, also unchanged.
Switch 2 game prices, accessories
The intrigue: The pricing for physical and digital versions of Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza will also remain unchanged at launch, Nintendo said.
- Mario Kart World is $79.99.
- Donkey Kong Bananza is $69.99.
Yes, but: Switch 2 accessories will “experience price adjustments from those announced on April 2 due to changes in market conditions,” Nintendo said.
- The Switch 2 Joy-Con, Pro Controller, and Switch 2 camera each increased $5 from their original prices.
- “Other adjustments to the price of any Nintendo product are also possible in the future depending on market conditions,” the company said.
Switch 2 release date
What we’re watching: The Switch 2 is set to launch on June 5.
- It has a 7.9-inch built-in LCD screen that displays in full HD at 1080p and maintains the same thickness of the original Switch, Nintendo said.
Best Buy Switch 2 preorder time
Pre-orders for the Switch 2 console, games and accessories will be available at midnight Thursday on Best Buy’s mobile app and website, the retailer said in a blog post.
- Stores will have pre-orders for games and accessories when they open Thursday at regular hours.
What’s next: Most stores will be open at midnight ET on launch day — June 5 — for pre-order pickup, Best Buy said.
Walmart Switch 2 preorder
Walmart Switch 2 preorders also start at midnight ET Thursday, the retailer says on its website.
- Those who preorder the Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World Bundle can get delivery by 9am in some areas.
- Walmart’s prices are slightly less than the competition with the consoles listed at $449 and $499 — a 99-cent savings.
Target Nintendo Switch 2 preorder
Target kicks off its Nintendo Switch 2 preorders at midnight ET Thursday, too, per its website.
- The Nintendo Switch 2 Console + Mario Kart World Bundle webpage notes it’s “expected to sell out quickly.”
GameStop Switch 2 preorders
State of play: GameStop is starting preorders last and starting first in-person when stores open Thursday, the retailer posted on Instagram.
- Online preorders start at 11am ET Thursday.
Our thought bubble: With midnight preorder sales expected to sell out fast, GameStop will likely have long lines of shoppers lined up Thursday and eagerly waiting to order online.
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