The Nintendo Switch launch date is almost upon us. Starting on June 5, gamers can finally purchase the Switch 2 console for $449.99 and the Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle for $499.99.
So, where can you buy the Switch 2 online? If you want to try your luck now, check the latest Switch 2 preorder stock at the My Nintendo Store and official Nintendo retailers:
Like the PlayStation 5 before it, the Switch 2 is in short supply for preorders. That's left many Switch fans wondering how to buy the Switch 2 at launch. For the official June 5 release date, retailers like GameStop are bringing back the midnight launch event, so you can always try your luck at buying a Switch 2 in person. If you don't want to brave the crowds, then you'll have to go online.
Since opening for preorder on April 24, the Switch 2 has been sold out pretty much everywhere. So many gamers tried to place preorders on April 24 that they immediately crashed the GameStop, Target, and Walmart websites. And with tariff uncertainty and extremely high demand (Nintendo expects to sell 20 million consoles in the next year), there's a lot we still don't know. Besides a handful of blink-and-you'll-miss-it restocks, preorders have been hard to come by. We're hoping that changes once June 5 arrives.
Everywhere you can buy the Switch 2 online at launch
To avoid hoarding and price gouging, Nintendo and retailers have protections in place to limit orders per person. That means you'll need to make an account to successfully place an order with most retailers. We also recommend reviewing our tips for tracking restocks, such as signing up for inventory alerts with your retailer of choice. But the easiest way to track Switch 2 availability online? Keep checking this article, as we'll be updating it regularly in the days and hours to come.
Your best bet? Place an order with Nintendo.
You can't simply go to the My Nintendo Store and buy the Switch 2. To order the Switch 2, you need to log in with an active, paid Nintendo Switch Online account. Once you do that, you can choose either a Switch 2 standalone console or the Mario Kart World bundle and then hit the confirm button to "register your interest" in ordering a Switch 2.
Now for the weird stuff. Only Switch Online members who have paid for at least 12 months of service and registered at least 50 hours of gameplay on their Switch consoles can purchase through Nintendo. In other words, you better be a true Switch gamer if you want to buy the Switch 2 this way. If you're eligible and follow these steps, check your email for an invitation link.
How to order Switch 2 at Walmart
Unlike Nintendo, purchasing the Switch 2 online at Walmart is pretty simple. Technically, Walmart shoppers have been able to preorder Switch 2 consoles on Walmart's website since midnight ET on April 24. In reality, the console has been sold out consistently. However, this week Walmart confirmed that it would have new Switch 2 inventory available online soon, though we don't know exactly when. Our advice? Go to the Walmart Switch 2 listing and smash that refresh button at midnight.
We'll update this article as soon as we find Switch 2 consoles in stock at Walmart (or anywhere). Walmart also sells a lot of Switch 2 launch titles and accessories.
How to buy Switch 2 at Target
Target stores will open as usual on launch day, and according to a press release, Switch 2 hopefuls will be directed to a "designated queuing location" near the entrance. Target workers will reportedly give out reservation tickets to a lucky few, so we recommend arriving early and crossing those fingers. If you get a golden ticket, you'll be whisked off to the electronics department, where you'll finally be able to purchase either the Switch 2 or a Switch 2 bundle.
You'll have to wait a bit longer to buy the Switch 2 online at Target, as the company said it will start selling it online "beginning early morning" on Friday, June 6. For now, you can check the preorder pages at Target or sign up for alerts to get notified of Switch 2 restocks.
How to buy Switch 2 at GameStop
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GameStop is the one retailer of the four listed here that's doing things a little bit differently. If you were lucky enough to get a GameStop preorder, you can pick up your console at midnight on June 5. All GameStop stores will also be hosting midnight launch events (though supplies will be limited), and gamers will be able to participate in a "Transfer and Trade," where they trade in their original Switch and transfer their data to the new console.
You can also try your luck online or sign up to get updates when new inventory becomes available. You can also buy Switch 2 games and accessories at GameStop, including those all-important MicroSD Express cards.
How to buy Switch 2 consoles at Best Buy
Best Buy is joining GameStop in having Switch 2 midnight launch parties, and the company lays out all the details in this FAQ. To sum up, "Most stores in the U.S. will open Thursday, June 5, at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time for pre-order pickup and walk-in purchases." (Central time stores open at 11:01 p.m., Mountain time stores open at 10:01 p.m., and Pacific time stores open at 9:01 p.m.) Participating stores will stay open for about two hours.
As a “high-demand item,” Best Buy customers have to follow specific steps to buy a Switch 2 online:
Create a My Best Buy account and sign in
Confirm your location
Add the item to your cart
Follow the on-screen prompts and check for available inventory
If you get a Switch 2 console in your cart, you’ll have 10 minutes to complete the purchase
Can you buy the Switch 2 at Amazon?
You'll notice there's one major retailer conspicuously missing so far — Amazon. That's because Amazon is not an official Nintendo retailer, so any Switch 2 consoles you find there are likely listed by resellers of dubious legitimacy. However, Amazon shoppers can preorder some Switch 2 titles ahead of the launch.
How to buy the Switch 2 at Staples
As we noted in our Switch 2 preorder guide, select Staples stores will sell the Switch 2 on a first-come, first-served basis starting June 5. Most Staples locations open at 8 a.m., but we recommend showing up bright and early. Staples will also be selling an unnamed Switch 2 game bundle, and we know it's not the standard Mario Kart World bundle. As with other retailers, Switch 2 consoles are currently listed as "Out of stock" at the Staples online store.
How to buy the Switch 2 at Costco
Are you a Costco member? Then you may be able to secure your Switch 2 at the mega-retailer. Costco members can purchase the Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle online starting June 5, though there's a limit of one console per membership (every seven days).
Still want more information? Our first impressions of the Switch 2
Mashable reporter Alex Perry was lucky enough to play the Switch 2 at two Nintendo pre-launch events, and as of this writing, he's hard at work testing his Switch 2 review unit. You can read all about his first impressions and thoughts on Mario Kart World. After playing the Switch 2 for the first time, he had this to say:
From the first second I got to hold a Switch 2 unit, I instantly liked the way it felt in my hands. The 7.9-inch 1080p display (which supports HDR and 120Hz refresh rate) is substantially nicer than the 6.2-inch 720p display on the predecessor console. In addition to a bigger screen, the Joy-Cons also have some added muscle…Doing a cross-country race across Mario Kart World's gorgeous open world without even a hint of loading between tracks is awesome. Seeing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom run at a buttery smooth 60 frames per second is very convincing in person.
You can also read all about the Switch 2 launch titles we're most excited to play.
And if you still haven't secured your preorder, keep checking this page for updates — and good luck!
