Nintendo finally sets Switch 2 pre-orders for April 24, but sales restrictions might be over the top

[Cal Jeffrey]

In context: Nintendo has set a new date for Switch 2 pre-orders: April 24. The company initially promised pre-orders would begin on April 9 but backtracked just days before, citing ongoing tariff uncertainty as the reason for the delay. With those trade concerns seemingly resolved or at least accounted for, Nintendo is giving it another shot.

The Switch 2 will still launch on June 5, featuring upgraded internals, improved Joy-Con controllers with magnetic snap-on rails, and backward compatibility for most digital Switch games. Nintendo has been relatively open about the hardware. However, its wishy-washy approach to pre-orders has caused confusion and speculation, particularly regarding its price.

When the company postponed the April 9 date, it issued a brief statement that blamed "evolving global trade conditions" and promised updates soon. That led to conjecture that Nintendo might be waiting for clarity on US import tariffs – especially since the new console, like its predecessor, is manufactured in China, which faces the stiffest tariffs. A few analysts predicted Nintendo would delay the pre-order window by weeks or even months. So, the company's new April 24 timeline is more optimistic than many expected.

Pre-orders will be available from Nintendo directly and through Amazon, Walmart, GameStop, Best Buy, and Target. Nintendo will offer two SKUs: a $450 standalone Switch 2 and a $500 bundle that includes Mario Kart World. That hasn't changed. What has changed are the prices of some first-party accessories, including the Pro Controller, Joy-Con sets, and the charging dock, which now cost slightly more than their original announcement. A complete breakdown of products and pricing is available on Nintendo's website.

With just six weeks left before launch, the new pre-order window gives buyers less time to secure a console – but it could also help Nintendo limit scalping. Scalping has been a hot-button issue for all major consoles. The original Switch was unavailable for over a year because of it. This time, Nintendo has heavily restricted pre-orders through its storefront.

Customers who want to buy directly from Nintendo must be at least 18, sign in with a Nintendo account, and register their interest before pre-orders open on April 24 – a queue for the queue, so to speak. While Nintendo says it will prioritize orders on a first-come, first-served basis, additional eligibility rules apply.

"Registrants 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, as of April 2, 2025," will receive the highest priority, the company says.

Qualifying customers will get email invitations valid for just 72 hours. In effect, Nintendo is offering first dibs to its most dedicated fans, but has put it behind a Switch Online subscription paywall. Casual buyers may have better luck with other retailers.

Since scalpers can and do still list guaranteed pre-order slots on eBay for double or more retail prices, brushing up on strategies to beat them might be wise. Check out how I landed a PlayStation 5 during peak demand – because these pre-orders will go fast.

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Nintendo finally sets Switch 2 pre-orders for April 24, but sales restrictions might be over the top

 

[NumberNine]

That's a lot of money to give to a company that couldn't be bothered to use hall effect sensors.

 

[GodisanAtheist]

Honestly don't mind all the registering BS to limit scalping. Amazed more companies don't adopt a similar approach honestly.

I don't care, never going to buy a Switch 2 or really just about anything brand new right at launch. I have self control and I'm not an *****.

But good on Nintendo putting some barriers up for people who are.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

That's a lot of money to give to a company that couldn't be bothered to use hall effect sensors.

Poor Nintendo only made $4 billion in revenue off of mario kart, they needed to cut corners somewhere to keep the lights on!

 

[redgarl]

Scalping is more than an issue nowadays.

All the stores should register you online and do a draw with a limit per 1 per individual either by email, address, credit card number or user ID.

As long as the big retailers don`t act, the bots are going to buy everything and scalpers are going to create artificial scarcity.

 

[Kashim]

Poor Nintendo only made $4 billion in revenue off of mario kart, they needed to cut corners somewhere to keep the lights on!

You can blame this on Nintendo if you want, but every single company will be doing the same thing. They will increase the price of their products to recoup the money they had to pay in tariffs. Unfortunately we don't live in a magical orange world where corporations, with CEOs who answer to shareholders, simply absorb the tariffs out of the goodness of their hearts. Apparently the purpose of these tariffs is to force the whole world to bring every manufacturing job in existence to America. Maybe the Switch 3 will be manufactured entirely in America and will probably cost $899.

 

[FaTaL]

Scalping is more than an issue nowadays.

All the stores should register you online and do a draw with a limit per 1 per individual either by email, address, credit card number or user ID.

As long as the big retailers don`t act, the bots are going to buy everything and scalpers are going to create artificial scarcity.

that can easily be evaded. with all the illegals pouring into the US for the last 8 years, hand a guy a taco and he'll walk into walmart for you. as for email, well , anyone can make 1000 gmail accounts.

 

[ZackL04]

Scalping is more than an issue nowadays.

All the stores should register you online and do a draw with a limit per 1 per individual either by email, address, credit card number or user ID.

As long as the big retailers don`t act, the bots are going to buy everything and scalpers are going to create artificial scarcity.

Time is money, they dont care if there are scalpers. They want the money made in as little time (effort) as possible.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

You can blame this on Nintendo if you want, but every single company will be doing the same thing. They will increase the price of their products to recoup the money they had to pay in tariffs. Unfortunately we don't live in a magical orange world where corporations, with CEOs who answer to shareholders, simply absorb the tariffs out of the goodness of their hearts. Apparently the purpose of these tariffs is to force the whole world to bring every manufacturing job in existence to America. Maybe the Switch 3 will be manufactured entirely in America and will probably cost $899.

The price of the Switch 2 and its games was set with no regard for tariffs, this was confirmed by Nintendo themselves when they stated the $450 switch 2 price didnt take tariffs into account. Games sales are majority digital and not affected by tariffs. The $80-90 price point was set because of pure, unfettered greed. Yes, I WILL blame Nintendo for falling to greed, trying to squeeze every last penny out of their consumers.

You should ensure that your Orange Man Derangement Syndrome doesn't lead to you spreading any more misinformation.

 

[amghwk]

The power of defeating scalpers is in YOUR hands. Don't give in to impulse and buy anything released on Day 1.

Go back and reflect on all your backlogged games of your currently available consoles/handhelds/PCs. There are lots of games that need to be completed or great games that are worth replaying.

Let the scalpers die a slow, painful death. Don't support this trend. Don't buy anything above the MSRP.

 

[JohnRambo4]

I've been out of the loop for a while I guess. So you can't just go to the electronics section of your favorite store and buy the system?

 

[Watzupken]

You can blame this on Nintendo if you want, but every single company will be doing the same thing. They will increase the price of their products to recoup the money they had to pay in tariffs. Unfortunately we don't live in a magical orange world where corporations, with CEOs who answer to shareholders, simply absorb the tariffs out of the goodness of their hearts. Apparently the purpose of these tariffs is to force the whole world to bring every manufacturing job in existence to America. Maybe the Switch 3 will be manufactured entirely in America and will probably cost $899.

A lot of people just pushes the blame on tariffs when prices were already determined before considering tariffs. In this case, it is no secret that Nintendo has never been the generous type that will sell you affordable consoles. Switch may not appear to be expensive, but for the hardware that it uses, it is nowhere near cutting edge, even by ARM SOC standard. I do think Switch 2 suffers from the same problem with the added costs of extremely expensive games and storage expansion option. All in all, the pre-tariff price to own a Nintendo Switch 2 will easily surpass USD 650 if you want to get a new game and a 512 or 1TB Micro SD Express card. I don't understand why they can't use something like a 2230 SSD which is readily available, cheaper and offers much better endurance than any SD card. I am sticking to Switch 1 and not going to get the Switch 2 for sure.

 

[AnilD]

A queue for the queue, tied to a subscription, filtered by gameplay hours… this isn’t a pre-order, it’s a loyalty dungeon. I love my Switch, but I shouldn’t need to pass a side quest just to buy a console.

 

[Cmatt1977]

The reason we have such an issue with scalpers is because companies like Nintendo don’t want to commit to producing enough stock to exceed demand. They’re infinitely more afraid of having too many units than not having enough. While I understand they claim to have been working hard to stockpile units I’m all but certain we’re looking at an instant sell out and, in a few months, yet another mad holiday scramble for what should be readily available mass produced electronics. All because companies want to avert even the slightest semblance of risk. Risk is for the little guy, not the megacorp.

 

[Cmatt1977]

I've been out of the loop for a while I guess. So you can't just go to the electronics section of your favorite store and buy the system?

Not until Nintendo feels comfortable with having stacks of consoles in stores waiting to be bought. Companies don’t seem to like the idea of that anymore.

 

[umeng2002]

I applaud their anti-scalping measures. Scalping absolutely ruined the first few years of the PS5 and is still destroying the PC gaming market. What I don't like about the Switch 2 is the price, lack of hall effect sticks, and no OLED screen. Nintendo is being their typical cheap selves without the cheaper price. This very well could be another Wii U.

 

[manowar51]

You can blame this on Nintendo if you want, but every single company will be doing the same thing. They will increase the price of their products to recoup the money they had to pay in tariffs. Unfortunately we don't live in a magical orange world where corporations, with CEOs who answer to shareholders, simply absorb the tariffs out of the goodness of their hearts. Apparently the purpose of these tariffs is to force the whole world to bring every manufacturing job in existence to America. Maybe the Switch 3 will be manufactured entirely in America and will probably cost $899.

Your comment falls apart when you look at how much the switch 2 is priced around the rest of the world. It seems that the US pricing if anything is on the lower side. And that's because most other countries have tariffs or sales taxes in place already.

Your last comment about the switch 3 costing $899 but being manufactured in the USA is very telling. So you would rather workers in China made it? The workers who do 12 hours a day and 7 days a week for about $500 a week? I guess if it saves you a bit of money you just don't care, do you?