Exciting news for gamers—Nintendo has officially announced that preorders for the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 will go live on April 24. With a launch date set for June 5, all the major retailers are ready to help you secure your next-gen console. Here's everything you need to know to ensure you get your hands on a Switch 2.
Switch 2 Preorder Times at a Glance
- Walmart - 12 a.m. ET April 24
- Best Buy - 12 a.m. ET April 24
- Target - 12 a.m. ET April 24
- GameStop - 11 a.m. ET April 24
If you're short on time and need the essentials, the list above provides direct links and times for when Switch 2 preorders go live online at major retailers. For a deeper dive into what to expect at each retailer, read on.
Walmart: Switch 2 Preorders
See at Walmart
$449.00 at Walmart
Preorder here starting at 12 a.m. ET April 24
Walmart will kick off Switch 2 preorders at midnight Eastern Time, transitioning from Wednesday to Thursday, April 24. While no in-store preorder information has been released, Walmart stands out as the only retailer offering free delivery of your Switch 2 console by 9 a.m. on launch day, June 5. That's a significant perk for eager gamers.
Best Buy: Switch 2 Preorders
See at Best Buy
$449.99 at Best Buy
Preorder here starting at 12 a.m. ET April 24
Best Buy will also start taking online preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2, along with games and accessories, at 12 a.m. ET on April 24. If you prefer picking up your console in person, many Best Buy stores will open at midnight on June 5 for preorder pickups.
Target: Switch 2 Preorders
See at Target
$449.99 at Target
Preorder here starting at 12 a.m. ET April 24
Target will begin accepting preorders for the console, games, and accessories at midnight on April 24. Preorders will be available online, but no information has been provided regarding in-store preorders.
GameStop: Switch 2 Preorders
See at GameStop
$449.99 at GameStop
Preorder here starting at 11 a.m. ET April 24
GameStop will start preorders later than other major retailers, with online preorders opening at 11 a.m. ET on April 24. You can also place in-person preorders when GameStop stores open on the same day. For those eager to get their console on launch day, all GameStop stores will be open at midnight on June 5 for pickups.
Nintendo Store: Switch 2 Preorders
See at Nintendo Store
$449.99 at Nintendo Store
Preorders from the official Nintendo Store are slightly more complex. First, visit the designated page, log into your Nintendo account, and register your interest in either the console alone or bundled with Mario Kart World. Nintendo will send you an email when it's your turn to complete the purchase, with the first batch of invitations going out on May 8. You'll have 72 hours to finalize your purchase once you receive the invitation.
However, there are specific requirements for this method: it's only available to customers who have purchased a Nintendo Switch Online membership with at least 12 months of paid membership and a minimum of 50 total gameplay hours as of April 2, 2025. If you don't meet these criteria, you'll need to look elsewhere for your preorder.
Be sure to check out additional tips on how to increase your chances of securing a Switch 2 preorder.
