Nintendo opens Switch 2 pre-orders to all in the UK – here's what it means for the US
You can pre-order a Switch 2 from the My Nintendo Store without an invite in the UK
Update: See our in-depth Nintendo Switch 2 review, which is live after a week of thoroughly testing the new console. Check out our full Switch 2 news stories, too.
🙌 UK pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 are now open to everyone via the My Nintendo Store who has a Switch Online subscription
📆 US pre-orders for invited users will open on May 8, with general availability expected shortly after the June 5 launch
👉 UK pre-orders initially required stricter criteria, such as a two-year Switch Online subscription, compared to the US
🚨 Consoles are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, and delivery by June 5 is not guaranteed due to high demand
My Nintendo Store Switch 2 pre-orders open tomorrow, May 8, in the US for those invited. However, Nintendo just made the console available to everyone in the UK with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription – which gives us a good indication of when US consumers might receive the same offer.
My Nintendo Store pre-orders began April 8 in the UK for those who met Nintendo's strict criteria. Interestingly, Nintendo made UK and European gamers jump through more hoops than their US counterparts. For example, you needed a two-year Switch Online subscription instead of 12 months.
Now, just under a month after invites were sent out, the Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundles are available to everyone, whether you were invited to buy one or not.
That’s great news considering the console has remained sold out at every other retailer after I pre-ordered the Switch 2.
It means that My Nintendo Store Switch 2 pre-orders could be open to all in the US shortly before launch on June 5, though Nintendo’s decision to delay pre-orders due to US tariffs might scupper that.
Nintendo has also already said that those who pre-order from the My Nintendo Store may receive the console after its release date.
Nintendo said: "Thank you to those of you who have already registered your interest in purchasing from My Nintendo Store. We're thrilled by the enthusiasm for Nintendo Switch 2! Due to the very high demand, we will be working diligently to fulfill orders as product becomes available, but delivery by June 5 is not guaranteed. Your invitation email may arrive after the Nintendo Switch 2 launch. We'll confirm your shipping date upon purchase."
Remember, to pre-order a Switch 2 from the My Nintendo Store tomorrow, you'll need to meet the following requirements:
A Nintendo Switch Online membership for at least 12 months
A minimum of 50 hours of total gameplay logged on your Switch 1
Opted into sharing gameplay data with Nintendo in the privacy settings
You must be 18 years old or older, per Nintendo’s rules
The invitation is a non-transferable invite to buy the Switch 2 and is valid for 72 hours. Consoles will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis, according to Nintendo, so don't hang around.
You'll also need to be the primary account holder, so the lead account in a Nintendo Switch Online Family Plan (the one paying) is the only account eligible (unless someone in the family previously had NSO for 12 months on their own at a prior time).
Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.