Switch 2 Pre-Order Dates and Priority Details for U.S. and Canada Revealed

Pre-orders for the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 were originally slated to commence globally on April 9. However, due to economic turbulence stemming from Trump's tariffs, Nintendo was compelled to postpone pre-orders in the U.S., followed by Canada. Despite these setbacks, pre-orders proceeded as planned in other regions, including the UK.

According to a FAQ section on Nintendo's official website, the initial batch of invitations for pre-orders will start being distributed on May 8, 2025, exclusively through the My Nintendo Store. Details regarding pre-orders at retail outlets remain undisclosed at this time.

Nintendo has outlined plans to send out additional batches of invitation emails "periodically" until pre-orders are opened to the general public via the My Nintendo Store.

The initial invitations will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis to "eligible registrants who meet the priority criteria," as stated by Nintendo. Those who receive an invitation will have a 72-hour window from the time the email is sent to finalize their purchase.

To qualify for a Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order invitation, you must meet the following priority requirements:

• You must have purchased any Nintendo Switch Online membership.
• You must have maintained a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership for at least 12 months.
• You must have opted in to share gameplay data and accumulated a minimum of 50 total gameplay hours.

Nintendo Switch 2 Game Boxes

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There has been no official statement from Nintendo regarding whether they will maintain or adjust the previously announced pricing for the Nintendo Switch 2, its games, and accessories. Some games are set to retail at $79.99, and analysts have raised concerns that the ongoing tariff war might push Nintendo to increase the price of the base Switch 2 beyond the current $449.99. However, no final decision has been announced.

It's important to highlight that Nintendo is offering a limited-time bundle that includes the Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart World for $499.99, effectively reducing the game's cost by $30.

Nintendo Switch 2 Pricing in the U.S.:

• Nintendo Switch 2 by itself: $449.99
• Nintendo Switch 2 with Mario Kart World bundled in: $499.99
• Mario Kart World by itself: $79.99
• Donkey Kong Bananza: $69.99
• Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller: $79.99
• Nintendo Switch 2 Camera: $49.99
• Joy-Con 2 Controller pair: $89.99
• Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip: $34.99
• Joy-Con 2 Strap: $12.99
• Joy-Con 2 Wheel pair: $19.99
• Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Set: $109.99
• Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case and Screen Protector: $34.99
• Nintendo Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case: $79.99
• Nintendo Switch 2 AC Adapter: $29.99

IGN has provided extensive coverage on the public's reaction to Nintendo's decision to price games at $80 for the Switch 2 generation, including insights from analysts who explain the rationale behind this move.

In other news, former Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé has weighed in on the controversy surrounding Nintendo's decision to charge for the Switch 2 tutorial game, Welcome Tour, drawing parallels to the successful Wii pack-in game, Wii Sports, in his social media posts.