Your Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide is here: links, times and tips to buy it
Before it sells out, read our ultimate Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide
Update: See the latest Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order news in the US from our restock experts, as American retailers confirm their launch day plans.
📆 Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders start on Thursday, April 24, 2025
⏰ Three online stores will begin pre-orders at midnight Eastern Time
🌟 This is the recommended Walmart bundle to save $30.99
🔗 All subscribers can access the pre-order links to US stores below
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Once upon a time, I helped 400,000 people get a PS5 or Xbox Series X when it was impossible to find, reached 1 million followers, quit my job at TechRadar, and launched The Shortcut on Substack to grow this tech newsletter with an awesome team. Well, I’m back to help everyone pre-order a new console, the Nintendo Switch 2.
Millions of gamers and parents want a Switch 2 pre-order on Thursday, so they can play it on its June 5 release date. I’m going to help you figure out the best way to buy it before reservations run out – yes, demand is that high.
Switch 2 pre-order links
Walmart: 12 am ET/9 pm PT: Switch 2 console / Mario Kart World bundle
Best Buy: 12 am ET/9 pm PT: Switch 2 console / Mario Kart World bundle
Target: 12 am ET/9 pm PT: Switch 2 console / Mario Kart World bundle
GameStop: 11 am ET/8 am PT: Switch 2 console / Mario Kart World bundle
Sam’s Club: Unknown time Switch 2 console / Mario Kart World bundle
Amazon: We’re checking this Nintendo Switch page – just in case
*Thursday, April 24 at 12 am ET, means you’re staying up on Wednesday night and waiting for midnight. It’ll be April 23 at 11 pm CT/10 pm MT/ 9 pm PT
Confused? Please ask me in our newly launched Substack Chat if you have questions about Switch 2 or anything else about tech (TVs, headphones, etc).
Which Switch 2 accessories should I buy?
📸 Get Nintendo’s camera. Any compatible USB-C camera will work, but this one has a high-resolution wide-angle lens, ideal for both GameChat and four-person Mario Party group activities (so many activities!).
🪴 Avoid the Piranha Plant camera. Whatever you do, avoid this very cool-looking but super low-resolution camera. I know, we want it too, but it’s not worth it.
🗄️ microSD Express Card. Your old standard microSD isn’t fast enough for Switch 2. That’s why you’ll need one of these microSD Express cards.
🎮 Switch 2 Pro controller is a maybe. I tested this new lighter Pro controller and its rear grip buttons during my Switch 2 hands-on. I’m buying one, but your old Switch 1 Pro controller will work just fine.
🛅 dbrand’s Killswitch case. This adds grips to Nintendo’s handheld, making it as comfy as a PC gaming handheld. It also comes with a way to protect your console with a snap-on cover. Nintendo’s $40 and $85 carrying cases can stand down.
Which Switch 2 games are on sale?
🏎️ Mario Kart World – only worth it when bundled. Nintendo has enough of your money. Buy this game for $50 in the Switch 2 bundle and avoid paying $80 for it later.
⚔️ Legend of Zelda for Switch 2. Both Switch 1 Zelda games, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, are day-one upgrades for Switch 2, and if you haven’t played them yet, I’m jealous. You’re in for an HDR-filled treat.
Note: If you own the Zelda Switch 1 games, you can upgrade them for $10 each, and that upgrade is free if you subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.
🦾 Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition. This game is used to benchmark PCs, so it’ll test the limits of the Switch 2’s specs early. Can Switch 2 play Cyberpunk? We’ll see if its use of AI-powered Nvidia DLSS can hold a candle to the PC and PS5 Pro versions.
🤔 Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour. This is the $10 intro game that everyone has said should be free, just like Wii Sports. I had fun exploring its mini games, but it’s not going to be worth $10 for everyone.
🐵 Donkey Kong Bananza. It doesn’t come out until July, but that won’t stop retailers from putting it up for pre-order on April 24.
Our Switch 2 pre-order guide. Hit Continue?
You know the Switch 2 pre-order time, you know the stores, and you know which games and accessories to buy. And Adam, Kevin, Max, and I will be around to help answer your questions. But funny thing – I have to pay those guys.
So, please consider becoming a paid subscriber for the rest (we’re a 100% banner-ad-free publication) and for all our daily content.
What you’ll get on this page:
🏬 Which stores will have the most pre-orders?
📦 Will Amazon have pre-orders?
💸 Will I get charged for Switch 2 right away?
🍄 When will Nintendo send out email invites?
🏪 Are stores doing in-person pre-orders?
🛑 Why did you call GameStop ‘your last hope’?
🙅♂️ What’s the biggest mistake people make?
🤖 Are bots going to be a problem?
🎟️ Do I need a membership to any stores to pre-order?
🧠 Strategy guides for EACH store: Walmart, GameStop, Target, Best Buy
🤔 Your custom answers added as you send them to me
What else do you get
🚨🔗 Priority link alerts in our Substack Chat
💬 1:1 tech advice: You can ask me questions, and I’ll respond
💰 Exclusive discount codes
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