Eight years later, the last 12 months of which have been filled with rumors about what it might be, the Nintendo Switch 2 has finally been given a full reveal. Nintendo used an hour-long Switch 2 Direct to show off its next generation console and some of the flagship games which, if OG Switch launch games like Super Mario Odyssey and Breath of the Wild are anything to go by, the Switch 2 will become known for and will go down as some of the best games of all time.
Getting a better look at the Switch 2 and its games is great, but what we really want to know now that we’ve recovered from the Direct is when we’ll be able to buy a Switch 2 and play all these games ourselves. If you weren’t lucky enough to land yourself a spot at one of the Switch 2 experiences, that means placing a pre-order, and if you’ve been on the look out for one, or at the very least details about when they will go live, you’re likely a little confused right about now, maybe even a little frustrated.
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Hopefully, after you’ve read this, you will have either secured your Switch 2 pre-order or, at the very least know where to look and when. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know to ensure you have the best chance of having a Switch 2 to play on launch day, which is now confirmed to be June 5, 2025.
Where To Pre-Order The Nintendo Switch 2
The first thing you need to know before placing your pre-order is the one thing Nintendo didn’t want to confirm during its Switch 2 Direct – the price. Confirmation of that came shortly after the Direct was over. The Nintendo Switch 2 will cost $449.99 in the US, or you can buy a limited edition bundle that includes a digital copy of Mario Kart World for $499.99. A good deal considering Mario Kart World will cost $79.99 when bought separately, a reveal that caused quite a stir when people first discovered its price listed on Nintendo’s website.
As for when pre-orders will go live, those of you in the US will be able to start trying to secure your next-gen Nintendo console from April 9, 2025, while UK pre-orders go live on April 8. That said, some retailers in the UK have been jumping the gun and their stock has already sold out, so it’s worth checking the links in the box below just in case a third-party retailer in the US couldn’t bear to wait until April 9.
Certain sites, including Nintendo and Amazon, have hurdles in place in an attempt to thwart scalpers buying up too much Switch 2 stock. You can find out more about that and the criteria you will need to meet to qualify for Switch 2 pre-ordering under the box below.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is the successor to Nintendo Switch, scheduled for release on June 5, 2025. Confirmed as backwards compatible, it will play both physical and digital Nintendo Switch games.
- Brand
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Nintendo
- Original Release Date
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June 5, 2025
Pre-Ordering A Switch 2 Through Nintendo And Amazon
If you want to pre-order a Switch 2 directly from Nintendo, you will need to register your interest – you can do that via the Nintendo store link in the box above. Rather than randomly select who will have the chance to pre-order the console starting from April 9, those who meet certain criteria will be selected first. If you have an NSO membership that has been active for an unbroken 12-month period as of April 2, 2025, and 50 hours of gameplay on your Switch, you will be among the first people to be invited to place a pre-order, provided you registered your interest.
Amazon has a similar process in place, although there are no criteria to meet to qualify. All you need to do is request an invite, and if and when you receive an invite from Amazon between now and release day, you will have a 22-hour window to place your pre-order. Unfortunately, the mysterious issues between Nintendo and Amazon appear to still be present. The listing is live on the UK site but not the US one. That might mean the Switch 2 won’t be sold through Amazon in the US.
FAQ
What Games Will Be Available For The Nintendo Switch 2 On Launch Day?
Mario Kart World will be available on the Switch 2 from its release day along with a lot of third-party titles including Elden Ring, Street Fighter 6, and Final Fantasy 7.
Is The Switch 2 Bigger Than The Switch OLED?
The Switch 2’s screen is 7.9 inches which is bigger than the Switch OLED’s seven-inch screen.
Will The Nintendo Switch 2 Be More Powerful Than The PS5?
Nintendo hasn’t revealed the specs of the Switch 2, and while it will be more powerful than the original Switch, it’s unlikely to be as powerful as the PS5.
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