After a dramatic delay, Nintendo finally unlocked Switch 2 pre-orders for US customers. Pre-orders went live around midnight at major retailers including Target and Walmart, as well as Amazon — and they sold out instantly.
Those who waited in digital queue lines were met with delays, confusing error messages, removed items, or worse of all — a cancelled pre-order.
At this point, I miss the days of physically waiting outside a store. At least there was excitement and camaraderie!
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa released a rare statement, revealing that over 2 million people had preordered the Switch 2 in Japan alone. That number “far exceeds our expectations, and far exceeds the number of Switch 2 consoles that can be delivered on June 5.”
Furukawa confirms that the Switch 2 will be sold through the Nintendo store after the release date. But that’s little consolation for such a huge product launch. The Switch has been monumentally successful in its near-decade run, and Nintendo continues to be a beloved household brand. Plus, new Mario Kart as a launch title.
Despite the high price tag for games and accessories, folks are clearly willing to go all-in with the new console. And with the current trade war between the US and China, as well as global tariffs, there’s a chance prices could increase further in the future.
The Switch 2 will release on June 5. The console has an MSRP of $449, and offers a bundle that includes Mario Kart World for $499.
