The much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch on June 5, 2025, and it's expected to be in high demand right from the start. To ensure that genuine fans of the Nintendo Switch can secure their pre-orders, Nintendo has introduced some innovative pre-order strategies on its official Nintendo Store.
On the My Nintendo Store, individuals with a Nintendo Account can sign up to express their interest in pre-ordering the Nintendo Switch 2 system and certain accessories. After registering, interested buyers will receive an invitation email when it's their turn to pre-order, which will be valid for 72 hours. However, there's a catch: to qualify for this invitation, you need to have actively used your current Switch console and be a member of the Nintendo Switch Online service.
According to the fine print on the site, "Invitation emails will be prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis to 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." These invitations are non-transferable and will be sent to the email associated with the Nintendo Account that registered interest. Additionally, there's a limit of one system and one accessory per account during the invitation period. Currently, you can express interest in either the base Nintendo Switch 2 system or a bundle that includes Mario Kart World.
Once you've placed your order, it will be shipped after purchase, with an approximate shipping date provided at the time of ordering. Nintendo clarifies that "release-day delivery is not guaranteed due to processing and shipment times." These measures seem designed to ensure that the Nintendo Switch 2 is purchased by those who intend to use it, rather than scalpers looking to resell it at a higher price.
Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 Console Slideshow
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The issue of scalping has plagued the release of many high-demand products, including the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, as well as the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Valve managed to curb this problem with its Steam Deck queue system, which linked purchases to existing Steam accounts and checked account creation dates. It's clear that Nintendo is taking a similar approach with the My Nintendo Store to prioritize long-time fans.
While there will undoubtedly be other avenues to purchase the Nintendo Switch 2, these pre-order measures should help dedicated Switch users secure their console without the frenzy typically associated with launch day pre-orders.
