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How to Buy the Switch 2: Best Places to Buy Ahead of June 5th Release

We've rounded up all the retailers with confirmed availability to give you the best chance of grabbing one of these cutting-edge consoles.

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Nintendo Switch 2, available to preorder
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After months of anticipation, the release of the the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 is nearly upon us. Nintendo's brand-new console officially hits shelves tomorrow (June 5), which means you'll have another chance to purchase one if you missed out on preorders.

That being said, supplies are limited and shopping both in-store and online is sure to be extremely competitive. To give you the best chance of securing one before they're sold out, we've rounded up retailers that have confirmed availability below. That includes expected places like Best Buy, Target, GameStop and Walmart, as well as some more surprising options like Staples and Costco. We'll be keeping a close eye on availability in the coming hours and days and will be updating this page regularly, so be sure to check back often for all the latest info.

Watch this: What Was It Like to Preorder a Switch 2? | Obvious Skill Issue Ep 3

Nintendo Switch 2 preorders at Best Buy

Best Buy preorders are currently sold out and an account is required if you're hoping to take advantage of any restocks. It's unclear if the tech retailer will have online availability on June 5, but it will be doing a midnight release for the console at select locations. The event will begin at 12:01 a.m. ET on June 5, and you can check which stores are participating on the event page. Additionally, in-person purchases at Best Buy come with a chance to grab a special commemorative coin.

As with the other big retailers, Best Buy's preorders are currently sold out. If you're hoping to take advantage of any future restocks, note that an account is required for the order so make sure you have one before you try to start the checkout process. If you're hoping to shop in-person, select locations will doing a midnight release on June 5.

Best Buy preorders also are sold out in Canada. Like the US, you'll need to set up an account if you've not done so already, as it's required for the purchase.

Even with the Switch 2's boosted storage, you may want to increase its memory with a microSD card. This Samsung Express microSD is designed specifically for Nintendo's new console, and even features a unique Mario-inspired design. It lists for $60 and an account is required for preorders.

Nintendo Switch 2 preorders at GameStop

As with other US retailers, the standalone console and Mario Kart World bundle are currently sold out online at GameStop. However, the retailer has confirmed that it will be offering another wave of online availability on June 5. It will also have consoles available in stores on release day, with the launch event officially kicking off the day before at 3 p.m. local time on June 4. You can check its event page to find out which locations near you will be participating.

Like all other retailers, GameStop is currently sold out online. However, it will have a limited stock available that you can shop in-person at midnight on release day. The event kicks off at 3 p.m. local time the day before (June 4), so be sure to get their early as it's sure to sell out fast.

The Switch 2 console is also sold out at GameStop Canada. If we do see some restocks here, it's important to note that these preorders are limited to one Switch 2 per household.

Nintendo Switch 2 preorders at Walmart

Walmart has now confirmed that it will be offering both in-store and online availability on June 5. Like other retailers, it will be participating in the midnight release, with Walmart Supercenters opening at 12 a.m. ET on June 5 (or 9 p.m. PT on June 4 for west coast shoppers). It's unclear when online console orders will begin, but we'd recommend being ready at midnight if you're serious about securing one, as they're sure to sell out fast.

The Switch 2 is still sold out online at Walmart, but the retailer has now confirmed that it will be available online on release day (June 5). Additionally, Supercenters will be participating in the midnight release, which kicks off at 12 a.m. ET.

Preorders for the Switch 2 console and accessories began at midnight on April 24 at Walmart but are currently sold out.

Nintendo Switch 2 preorders at Target

Both versions of the console are currently sold out at Target, but it has confirmed that there will be an online restock on June 6 -- the day after release. However, there aren't any times yet, so we'd have your alarm set for midnight ET just to be safe. Target will also be offering in-person shopping on June 5.

As with other retailers, both versions of the Switch 2 console are currently sold out at Target but we'll be keeping an eye out for any restocks in the coming days.

Even with the Switch 2's boosted storage, you may be looking to increase its memory with a microSD card. This Samsung Express microSD is designed specifically for Nintendo's new console and even features a unique Mario-inspired design.

Nintendo Switch 2 preorders at Newegg

Newegg is also sold out of both versions of the console. While Switch 2 preorders will be competitive just about anywhere they're being offered, Newegg is slightly less popular than Walmart or Target, which could give you a better chance of securing an order during any future restocks. At present, the accessories are out of stock so your best bet is to be notified automatically when they become available.

Newegg is also offering preorders for both the standalone console and Mario Kart World bundle, although they're currently sold out. However, this online retailer is less popular than competitors so you may have better luck here than elsewhere during potential restocks.

This compact camera lists for $55 and plugs directly into the Switch 2 console or dock's USB-C port so you can chat with friends or access in-game features for select titles. It has a wide-angle lens and you can adjust the angle to easily keep yourself in frame. Plus, it will automatically adjust its brightness so your face is always visible.

Nintendo Switch 2 preorders at Nintendo

Nintendo preorders require an invitation and, to help combat scalpers, priority is being given to Nintendo Switch Online members who've had a paid membership for at least 12 months and had a minimum of 50 total gameplay hours as of April 2. These invitations are first come, first served and will be valid for 72 hours. You can still register now if you haven't already.

Preordering directly from Nintendo is the obvious choice if you're looking to grab the Switch 2 on release day. You can order just the console for $450 or bundle it with Mario Kart World for $500. You can still register for preorders, with priority being given to Nintendo Switch Online members who've had a paid membership for at least 12 months and have a minimum of 50 total gameplay hours as of April 2.

You can register your interest in either console but you have to log in to do so.

As with the US, you'll need an invitation to preorder the Switch 2 from Nintendo directly. You can still register, with priority given to Nintendo Switch Online members who've had a paid membership for at least 12 months and have a minimum of 50 total gameplay hours as of April 2. Right now, you can't preorder but you can "register your interest."

As with the Switch 2 console, accessories like the $85 Pro Controller will require you to register for an invitation if you're hoping to preorder directly from Nintendo.

Nintendo Switch 2 preorders at Amazon

Amazon has not given us any information about if and when US customers will be able to preorder the Switch 2 but Canadian buyers can request an invite now.

Amazon doesn't have official preorder pages for the console or Mario Kart World bundle yet and, unlike other retailers, it has yet to announce if or when its preorders will begin.

Amazon is now offering invitations for Switch 2 preorders in Canada for the standalone console and the Mario Kart World bundle.

Nintendo Switch 2 at Costco

Costco will have the Switch 2 available for purchase online starting tomorrow, June 5. It's unclear when orders will open, but we'd recommend being ready at midnight tonight just to be safe. Note that availability is exclusive to Costco members.

Costco has a unique Switch 2 bundle available. It includes the console and Mario Kart World, as well as a 12-month Nintendo Switch Online membership and upgrade packs for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.

Nintendo Switch 2 at Staples

If you'll be shopping in-person, you'll want to see if any nearby Staples locations will be carrying the Switch 2 on release day. Supplies will be limited, but the office supply retailer is certainly a less obvious choice than somewhere like GameStop or Best Buy, which may give you a better chance of grabbing one before they're sold out.

Staples will have a limited supply of Switch 2 consoles that are available for purchase in-person on release day. Not all locations are participation, and orders are limited to one per person.

UK Nintendo Switch 2 preorders

Unsurprisingly, it's been tough to preorder the Switch 2 since availability first opened April 8. As of this week, you can buy consoles at My Nintendo Store UK, invite-free, though it's currently sold out. A note: The purchases are Iimited to one order per customer and you'll need to have a paid Nintendo Online Membership to buy one. If you don't already have a paid membership, you can buy a three-month membership for £7 at Amazon, then redeem the code on your account right away to qualify.

Additionally, select Smyths' locations will be doing a midnight release where there will be a limited supply of consoles available for purchase. The event kicks off at 11 p.m. tonight (June 4), so be sure to get there early.

Note: We have no confirmation that the digital download code for Mario Kart World in the UK Switch 2 bundle will work with non-UK Nintendo accounts. The power cables are also different for each region. If you plan to buy a UK Switch 2 from outside the country, please know there's no guarantee it'll work as expected.

Nintendo Switch 2 preorders are currently sold out at Amazon, for the console alone and the Mario Kart World bundle. We'll update this page if we see a restock. 

Nintendo preorders are officially open in the UK and now you won't need the invite initially needed to take advantage of the offer. You will, however, need a paid Nintendo Online Membership. Games and accessories are also available for preorder.

John Lewis is one of the only places in the UK that has had sporadic availability of the Switch 2. It's currently out of stock but it's worth keeping an eye on this retailer if you're hoping to get your preorder in.

The Mario Kart World bundle and the console alone are sold out at Argos right now. We'll continue checking to see if more stock is added. Games and accessories are still available to preorder. 

ShopTo has sold out of Nintendo Switch 2 consoles at this early preorder stage but we'll keep checking back there in case of a restock.  

Very's Switch 2 preorders are currently sold out, with the retailer suggesting would-be buyers "keep checking back" for further updates. We will, of course, be doing just that. When it did have Switch 2 models in stock, there were also a number of different bundles on offer that paired the console with controllers, cases, microSD cards and games.

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Smyths Toys is currently sold out for home delivery, though some locations to have Click and Collect available.

EE is listing the Mario Kart World bundle as out of stock right now, although it could be a good, slightly more under-the-radar place to check for restocks. 

Currys is taking a unique approach to Nintendo Switch 2 supply-and-demand issues by requiring that preorders be placed in-store. You can head to your nearest location to do so, although you should probably call ahead before making the journey to avoid potential disappointment. There's no sign of an online preorder yet, but the link below is where you'll need to be when the device is eventually listed online. 

GAME is a go-to spot for those wanting the latest hardware but it has already sold out of its initial Switch 2 preorder stock. Plenty of games and accessories are available to preorder. 

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There's no joy for Nintendo fans at The Game Collection right now, with listings for the Switch 2 console and the Mario Kart World bundle showing as out of stock. There's a chance more stock will be added so we'll keep you posted. 

Watch this: What Was It Like to Preorder a Switch 2? | Obvious Skill Issue Ep 3

When can I preorder the Nintendo Switch 2?

The initial round of preorders sold out almost instantly on April 8 in the UK and April 24 in the US and Canada, and restocks have been far and few between. However, a handful of retailers have confirmed that they'll have both in-store and online availability once the console officially releases on June 5. We'll keep this page updated with all the latest announcements, so be sure to check back often.

Read more: How Nintendo Is Combating Switch 2 Scalpers

How much will the Nintendo Switch 2 cost?

There was some concern that the new US tariffs were going to lead to some significant price hikes on the standalone console and the Mario Kart World bundle. Fortunately, Nintendo has confirmed that the original pricing still stands. The console will be available for $450, with the Mario Kart World bundle priced at $500. However, there has been a change to the price of some accessories, with some increasing by $5.

When will the Nintendo Switch 2 be released?

The Switch 2 is scheduled to begin shipping June 5. Nintendo has confirmed that the preorder delay in the US and Canada won't affect this release date. Nintendo recently updated its preorder page stating that a June 5 delivery is not guaranteed if you're preordering from the manufacturer directly. Other retailers are still promising delivery on release day.

When can I preorder Nintendo Switch 2 accessories?

Preorders for Switch 2 controllers, cases and other accessories began at the same time as console preorders. Additionally, some third-party Switch 2 accessories are already available. Just note that prices for some accessories have been increased.

When can I preorder Nintendo Switch 2 games?

As with accessories, Switch 2 game preorders began at the same time as consoles, which means they're available now in the US, Canada and UK. Fortunately, the cost of the two biggest launch titles will not be affected by the recent price increase of accessories. You'll be able to order the digital copy of Mario Kart World for $80 and Donkey Kong Bananza for $70.

Will the Nintendo Switch 2 come in other colors?

For the new Switch 2, Nintendo has ditched the colored Joy-Cons for a more sleek, monochrome look -- although there are still pops of red and blue around the analog sticks. As of now, Nintendo hasn't said anything about additional colors. Additionally, it's rumored that Samsung -- which makes the displays for the Switch 2 -- is pushing for an OLED version of the console.

Is the Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World Bundle worth it?

The Mario Kart series has been a long-standing tentpole for Nintendo and fans were thrilled to hear that a new title is on the way. But the excitement was dampened by the announcement that the new game will come with an increased price tag: $80 for the digital edition or $90 if you want a physical copy. You can bundle a digital copy with the console on release day for $500 total, which saves you $30 compared with buying them separately. It's an excellent value if it's a game you're certain you want in your library and likely the only "discount" we'll see on this title for quite some time. Plus, Nintendo recently announced that this bundle will be available only "through fall 2025," which means you'll have a limited chance to take advantage of these savings.

Watch this: It's OK if You Didn't Preorder a Switch 2

Nintendo Switch 2 preorders: What are people saying?

There are still some mixed feelings about Nintendo's newest console. While some are happy to see that Nintendo hasn't altered much about the wildly popular original Switch, others feel not enough has changed to justify the $150 price hike -- with CNET gaming expert Scott Stein calling it a console that "feels a lot like an updated version of a system many people already own." The recent confirmation that the US tariffs won't be leading to any further price increases has helped stifle gamers' exasperation a bit, but many are still unhappy with the fact that select games will be selling for up to $20 more than the standard $60. Only time will tell whether most people consider the new console and games are worth the higher costs once they officially become available on June 5.