A Guide to Pre-Ordering Your Switch 2 Console

The upcoming Switch 2 is poised to be one of the most sought-after gaming consoles released this year. To prioritize dedicated fans, Nintendo is implementing measures to limit scalpers from hijacking pre-orders. While this is a positive step, it does mean you’ll have to navigate a few steps to secure your Switch 2 pre-order. Having already completed the process myself, I can say it’s certainly less complicated than the experience of camping out with my family at Target to buy a Wii back in 2006.

Let’s dive into how to pre-order a Switch 2 directly from Nintendo. This method will ensure your pre-order is secure without having to vie against numerous other gamers. If you’re unsure about meeting Nintendo’s requirements, I’ll also highlight which retailers have opened pre-orders for the Switch 2.

Everything You Need To Get a Switch 2 Pre-Order

You Need A Nintendo Account, And May Be Eligible For A Priority Invite

Before you proceed with your pre-order for the Switch 2 from Nintendo, you’ll need a few things. First and foremost, you must have a Nintendo account, which is likely if you already own another Switch. Also, you must be at least 18 years old if you’re in the US or Canada.

The chance to pre-order will follow a first-come, first-served basis. However, Nintendo has additional criteria to help prioritize customers. When you receive your pre-order email, you’ll have a 72-hour window to place your order.

To achieve priority status, you must have held a paid subscription to Nintendo Switch Online for at least 12 months before April 2, 2025. You also need to opt-in to share your gameplay data with Nintendo, which can be done on their website. Additionally, you must have logged a minimum of 50 hours of gameplay before the cut-off date, meaning last-minute gaming won’t help you secure that priority pre-order.

You can check if you’re set up to share your data by visiting your account’s privacy settings on Nintendo. Although you can see when your latest Nintendo Switch Online subscription started, it won’t show you the duration of previous subscriptions. So, it might be tricky to verify if you’ve been subscribed for over a year unless you remember the exact day you signed up.

How To Register For A Switch 2 Pre-Order

Nintendo’s Website Allows You To Sign Up For A Pre-Order Invite

Regardless of whether you’re eligible for a priority pre-order or not, you can still register for a chance to pre-order a Switch 2 on Nintendo’s website. Once there, sign in to your Nintendo account and choose which version of the Switch 2 you’d like: the standalone console or the Mario Kart World Bundle. I personally opted for the Mario Kart World Bundle since it’s only $50 more than buying the game separately, which would cost at least $79.99.

After you register, keep an eye on your inbox for your pre-order email, as you’ll have only 72 hours to complete your purchase. Nintendo suggests adding the email address no-reply@noa.nintendo.com to your safe sender list to ensure your pre-order email doesn’t end up filtered as spam. You’ll also be expected to pay for your Switch 2 when you receive your email invitation, with the initial release set to begin on May 8, 2025.

Where Else To Pre-Order A Nintendo Switch 2

Major Retailers Like Walmart And GameStop Also Have Pre-Orders Going Live Soon

You may wish to pre-order your Switch 2 from a retailer other than Nintendo for various reasons. For example, some stores might begin their pre-orders earlier than Nintendo. Walmart is set to open its pre-orders on April 9, 2025, nearly a full month before Nintendo starts sending out invitation emails.

Personally, I plan to stick with ordering from Nintendo directly, but I completely understand why others might want to avoid waiting a whole month for an email invitation that may or may not arrive. With the Switch 2’s release date of June 5 fast approaching, I can’t blame anyone for exploring every option available to grab this console. I’m pleased to see that Nintendo’s approach aims to deter Switch 2 scalpers, and I hope this strategy encourages more companies to adopt similar measures for future console launches.

Sources: Nintendo Account, Nintendo, Walmart