Fans don’t need to wait much longer before finally getting their hands on the Nintendo Switch 2. Here is everything you need to know about pre-ordering the console, including where to buy and prices.
Switch 2 pre-orders were initially scheduled to go live in the United States on April 9, 2025, but Nintendo announced a delay due to tariffs. Fans suspected a price increase in response to the tariffs imposed on Japan, but Nintendo confirmed that the console would remain at the same price and announced a new pre-order date.
Although the price wasn’t increased, it’s still a lot to ask for most consumers. When asked about the cost, Nintendo of America’s president, Doug Bowser, said fans can purchase a Switch 1 instead. But if you do want to buy a Switch 2, here is everything you need to know about completing a pre-order.
How to Pre-Order The Nintendo Switch 2 in the United States & Canada
For United States customers, they can register their interest to pre-order the Nintendo Switch on the Nintendo Store, and Canadian players can do the same on the Nintendo website.
You must be at least 18 years old to register your interest. In addition, the invitation is only valid for 72 hours and is prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis to players who have purchased a Nintendo Switch Online membership with a minimum of 12 months of paid membership and a minimum of 50 total gameplay hours before April 2, 2025.
After the priority registrants are taken care of, the remaining invitations are distributed based on a first-come, first-served criterion.
Nintendo Switch 2 United States & Canada Pre-Order Start Times
Online Switch 2 pre-orders in the United States and Canada start at 9 PM PDT on April 24 at Walmart, Best Buy, and Target, and go live at 8 AM PDT at GameStop with other time zones following after.
Here are all of the key time zones in the United States & Canada.
| Time Zone | Release Times & Dates |
|---|---|
| Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) | 9:00 PM—April 23 |
| Mountain Time (MT) | 10:00 PM—April 23 |
| Central Daylight Time (CDT) | 11:00 PM—April 23 |
| Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) | 12:00 AM—April 24 |
| Easter Time (Canada) | 12:00 AM—April 24 |
Where to Pre-Order The Nintendo Switch 2
Here are all the retail locations where you can pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2.
Nintendo Switch 2 system
Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle
GameStop also announced that in-store pre-orders will be available when the doors open on April 24, and the retail store is bringing back midnight releases for launch day on June 4 at 9:00 PM PDT.
Most GameStops will reportedly have 100 Switch 2 units at launch, which is significantly more than the usual number for console launch days.
How Much Does The Nintendo Switch 2 Cost?
The Nintendo Switch 2 is priced at $449.99 in the United States and $629.99 in Canada.
There is also a Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart Bundle that costs $499.99 in the US and $699.99 in Canada.
For more on the Nintendo Switch 2, check out how many Mario Kart World tracks there are and all of the confirmed game modes.
