Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Orders: What We Know So Far (And What’s Still Unclear)
The U.S. and Canada Pre-Order Mess: Blame Politics, Time Zones, and Maybe the Weather
Nintendo originally planned to open pre-orders for the Switch 2 worldwide on April 9. That didn’t happen. In the U.S. and Canada, the company delayed the process without warning. The official reason? "Economic disruptions" caused by tariffs on Chinese-made electronics. These tariffs, reintroduced by the Trump administration, increased the cost of importing the console. Nintendo didn’t clarify whether this would raise the final price for buyers, but the delay suggests internal chaos.
Meanwhile, the UK, Japan, and parts of Europe saw pre-orders go live as planned. Time zones played a role—the U.S. announcement dropped at 3 AM Eastern Time, catching many off guard. Fans in Europe had already secured orders by the time North Americans woke up. The UK store briefly crashed due to traffic, but orders were mostly smooth.
Key takeaway: If you’re in the U.S. or Canada, keep checking Nintendo’s official site. Retailers like Best Buy or GameStop have no updates yet.
My Nintendo Store Invites: How to Avoid Missing Your 72-Hour Window
Starting May 8, Nintendo will send emails to select users inviting them to pre-order the Switch 2 directly through the My Nintendo Store. These invites aren’t random. To get one, your account must meet three conditions:
- You’ve paid for a Nintendo Switch Online membership (the $20/year tier counts).
- Your membership has been active for at least 12 consecutive months.
- You’ve agreed to share gameplay data and have at least 50 hours logged across all games.
If you qualify, you’ll get an email with a unique link. Click it within 72 hours, or the offer disappears. Set up email alerts on your phone. Check spam folders daily. If you miss the window, you’ll have to wait for the next batch—Nintendo says these will go out “periodically,” but hasn’t defined what that means.
Retail Pre-Orders: Why Nobody Knows Anything (And When That Might Change)
Walmart, Target, and Amazon have no information about Switch 2 pre-orders. Employees at major electronics stores report confusion. One GameStop manager said corporate told them to “expect news in late May,” but this isn’t confirmed.
Buying through retailers has risks and benefits. Pros: Physical gift cards, trade-in deals for old consoles, and midnight launch events. Cons: No guaranteed stock, potential for in-store lines, and scalpers using bots to buy inventory.
My Nintendo Store pre-orders might include exclusive accessories, like themed Joy-Cons. Retailers could bundle the console with games, but this hasn’t been announced.
The May 8 Confusion: Why Some Fans Are (Rightfully) Annoyed
Nintendo’s website listed May 8 as the first invite date since April 2. But when outlets reported this as “new” information on April 11, backlash followed. Fans accused Nintendo of poor communication. The company hasn’t apologized but updated their FAQ to clarify the date was always planned.
To avoid misinformation:
- Bookmark Nintendo’s official Switch 2 FAQ page.
- Ignore Twitter accounts with “insider” in the name.
- Turn on notifications for @NintendoAmerica on social media.
Regional Breakdown: Where Pre-Orders Worked, Where They Crashed, and Why
In the UK, the My Nintendo Store handled pre-orders smoothly after a 30-minute outage. Japanese buyers faced a lottery system—applications closed in four hours due to high demand. Australian pre-orders opened at midnight local time, surprising fans who expected a morning launch.
Countries without tariffs saw no delays. In Germany, the console costs €399, matching the original Switch’s launch price. Analysts predict the U.S. price could jump to $449 if tariffs stay.
Pre-Order Strategies: From Gameplay Hours to Payment Methods
Boost your chances of getting an invite:
- Play any Switch game for 50+ hours. Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom are easy time-sinks.
- Link a credit card to your Nintendo account now. Saved payment methods speed up checkout.
- Use a Gmail account? Create a filter so emails from @nintendo.com never go to spam.
If you’re sharing a family membership, only the primary account holder gets an invite. Nintendo hasn’t clarified how this works for divorced parents or shared households.
After the Invite: Step-by-Step Walkthrough of the Purchase Process
- Click the email link. It expires, so don’t wait.
- Choose your model. A leaked screenshot suggests two options: Standard (512GB) and Deluxe (1TB + exclusive carrying case).
- Pick accessories. Pro Controller bundles might save $20.
- Payment. Nintendo accepts PayPal, but credit cards are faster.
- Shipping. Pay extra for launch-day delivery.
Common errors:
- Using a VPN. Nintendo blocks orders from outside your region.
- Trying to buy multiple consoles. Limits are one per household.
Myths About Pre-Orders: What’s Fake, What’s Plausible, and What’s Still Unknown
Myth: “Nintendo is prioritizing influencers and reviewers.”
Reality: The invite system relies purely on account activity.
Myth: “You can sell your invite link on eBay.”
Reality: Links are tied to your Nintendo account ID. Selling them won’t work.
Myth: “The Deluxe model has exclusive games.”
Reality: No games are locked to specific hardware.
Unanswered questions: Will there be a trade-in program for old Switches? Can you pre-order multiple color variants?
The Bigger Picture: What Happens After You (Finally) Get Your Console
Nintendo hasn’t confirmed launch titles, but leaks suggest a new 3D Mario game and Metroid Prime 4 will release alongside the hardware. Third-party games like Grand Theft Auto VI and Dragon Quest XII are rumored but not confirmed.
Accessories to buy now:
- Screen protectors (the Switch 2 reportedly has a larger, more scratch-prone OLED display).
- A USB-C hub if you plan to connect to monitors.
FAQs: Answering the Most-Googled Questions
Q: Can I use my existing Nintendo account for pre-orders?
A: Yes, but you must meet the eligibility criteria on that account.
Q: What if my membership expires before May 8?
A: Renew it immediately. Gaps in membership disqualify you.
Q: Are pre-orders available in [country not listed]?
A: Contact Nintendo’s regional support team. Some countries, like India, might get limited stock.
Final Advice: Stay Patient, Stay Alert, and Don’t Panic-Buy from Scalpers
If you miss the first pre-order wave, more will come. Nintendo promises to ramp up production, and retailers will eventually have stock. Scalpers are already listing the Switch 2 on eBay for $800+. Wait for official channels to avoid scams.
Join online communities like r/NintendoSwitch on Reddit for real-time updates. Share your pre-order success (or horror) stories—Nintendo’s watching, even if they’re not talking.