Switch 2 Pre-Order Invites Date Set for U.S., Canada; Priority Rules Announced

The much-anticipated pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 were originally scheduled to commence globally on April 9. However, due to economic turbulence triggered by tariffs imposed by former President Trump, Nintendo had to delay the pre-order launch in the United States and subsequently in Canada. Meanwhile, pre-orders proceeded as planned in other regions, such as the UK.

According to a FAQ on Nintendo’s official website, the first batch of invitations for pre-orders through the My Nintendo Store will begin rolling out on May 8, 2025. Details about retail pre-orders have yet to be disclosed.

Nintendo has announced that additional batches of invitation emails will be dispatched "periodically" until the My Nintendo Store opens pre-orders to the general public.

The initial invitations will be sent out 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 priority pre-order invitations for the Nintendo Switch 2, you must meet the following criteria:

You must have personally purchased a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
You must have maintained any 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 hours of total gameplay.

Nintendo Switch 2 Game Boxes

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There has been no official word from Nintendo on whether they will adhere to their previously announced pricing for the Nintendo Switch 2, its games, and accessories, or if they plan to increase them. Amidst the ongoing tariff disputes, some analysts are concerned that Nintendo might be compelled to raise the price of the base Nintendo Switch 2 above $449.99, though no official statement has been made yet.

It's noteworthy that Nintendo is offering a special bundle that includes the Nintendo Switch 2 along with Mario Kart World for $499.99, effectively reducing the cost of the game by $30. However, this bundle is available for a limited time only.

The pricing for the Nintendo Switch 2 and its related products in the U.S. is as follows:

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 gathered a range of reactions to Nintendo’s decision to price Switch 2 games at $80, including insights from analysts who explain the rationale behind this move.

Elsewhere, former Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé has subtly addressed the controversy surrounding Nintendo's decision to charge for the Switch 2 tutorial game, Welcome Tour, by drawing parallels to the Wii's pack-in game, Wii Sports, through his tweets.