Who would've thought that the Nintendo Switch 2 console launch could be so controversial? From extortionate game prices to US preorders being put on hold, it's not looking too good for Nintendo right now. We've been keeping tabs on stock levels for Nintendo Switch 2 preorders for the last few days now, and it looks like stock in the UK is fluctuating, while US retailers are yet to offer more than a "coming soon" blurb to console listings.
Nintendo announced that its next-gen console would go on sale on 9 April for a 5 June release date, but then... things happened. The company isn't entirely to blame, however, since it seems that Trump's US tariffs have caused quite the headache for retailers. There could be a glimmer of hope for Nintendo fans now that Trump has announced a 90-day pause on higher tariffs for most countries, so fingers crossed that this won't have a huge impact on Nintendo Switch 2 preorders for much longer.
In any case, if you're someone hoping to get your hands on a Nintendo Switch 2 console as close to launch day as possible, then stick with us as I'll be bringing you live stock updates from major retailers, as well as any deals I find on some of the best Nintendo Switch games and accessories.
Quick links UK:
- Nintendo Switch 2 console - £395.99 at EE
- Nintendo Switch 2 console - £395.99 at JD Williams
- Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World - £429 at EE
- Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World - £429.99 at JD Williams
- Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World + Joy-Cons + Wheels - £505.99 at EE
- Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller - £74.99 at Argos
Where to preorder in the US
Switch 2 preorders in the US are delayed due to uncertainty over import tariffs. Nintendo still hopes to make the 5 June release date. We'll keep you updated, or you can check at the retailers below.
Where to preorder in the UK
It's a little trickier to preorder a Nintendo Switch 2 directly from Nintendo in the UK as the Nintendo Store is operating on an invite-only basis for selected Nintendo Switch Online members. You need to have been a Nintendo Switch Online member for at least 2 years continuously by 31/03/2025, with an active membership on the day of preorder!
Some third-party UK retailers are advertising preorders are open, but many are selling out. Try checking stock regularly at the retailers I've listed below.
Good morning! Preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2 officially went live yesterday, but it's proving extremely difficult for gamers around the world to secure a preorder of this next-gen console. This is due to low stock from UK retailers (some still waiting for stock to officially arrive), and other factors including political import tariffs in the US causing confusion.
The most recent update is that Trump has paused the Import tariffs for 90 days in most countries, which could handily take us into the US Switch 2 launch day with no issues.
The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct event on April 2nd left plenty of gamers excited for what's to come, so it's frustrating for those who can't preorder the console on the day Nintendo promised. It looks like the console's release date of June 5 is still set in stone for now, but this could easily change (fingers crossed things start running smoothly).
Top Tip: Sign up for updates
Retailers like Walmart and GameStop have Nintendo Switch 2 preorders listed as both "coming soon" while mention it being out of stock, which is a little confusing. Is there stock or isn't there? The best way to find out seems to be signing up for preorder alerts.
I know everybody hates getting spam emails, but if you're serious about securing a Nintendo Switch 2 preorder, then you might have to start sharing your email with retailers to get speedy stock updates. There's still no guarantee of course that when you check the website there will be a "add to cart" button, but your chances will definitely increase if you're fast enough to beat the digital queues.
Q: Is launch-day delivery guaranteed for Switch 2 preorders?
While nothing is 100% guaranteed, especially when it comes to local postal services, some retailers will often aim to ship orders slightly early to ensure a speedy arrival, while others are promising that the console will arrive by 9am on launch day.
I guess it depends which retailer you preorder from to determine how speedy you get your Switch 2 console, but if you're dead set on getting your hands on it for June 5th, then it might be best to shop in-store rather than online. Currys in the UK is only taking pre-orders for the system in-store, as a way to stop scalpers. Smart.
One thing I know you can definitely preorder in the UK right now is the Nintendo Switch 2 Piranha Plant camera. I'm a little bit in love with this, and will definitely be getting one for my gaming room whether I use it with the Switch 2 or not (I'm more of a solo gamer).
Q: Should I wait to preorder the Switch 2? Will prices drop later in the year?
There's no rush to get a Nintendo Switch 2, at least in my opinion, unless you're overwhelmed with the excitement to be playing it. I always try and save up for something first if I really want it, and wait until its the right time when I can best afford it.
With that said, we do have some big sales events happening not long after the Switch 2 launch date, such as Amazon Prime Day (usually mid-July) and November's Black Friday too.
I've been tracking Nintendo deals for almost 3 years now, and I know that Nintendo products always hold their value extremely well, so it's rare that we see any major deals or price drops outside of seasonal sales periods. That doesn't mean that there 100% won't be any Switch 2 deals come Black Friday, but I doubt they'll be very big ones if I'm honest, so there's not much point in holding out for any potential deals just yet if that's what you're thinking.
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Nintendo Switch preorders are turning out to be a frustrating experience. We had hoped that the 90-day pause on import tariffs in the US might have allowed preorders to start on time, but not so. The measure was only announced yesterday, so not enough time for Nintendo and retailers to react, and Nintendo may not want to take any chances by confirming a retail price now only for tariffs to kick in soon after the 5 June release date.
And in the UK, where preorders have started on time, they've almost all sold out already. Even retailers that are still showing the Switch 2 listed are showing an error or 'out of stock' message if you try to add it to your basket.
This is NOT where I expected to find UK Switch 2 pre-orders!
Is there anywhere in the UK where Switch 2 preorders haven't sold out? Well, it seems the only option online right now is an unlikely one: the fashion retailer JD Williams.
That might seem a strange place to preorder a Switch 2, but perhaps that's why it hasn't sold out.
Like many retailers, it's limiting purchases to one per person.
Other than that, Curry's says it's taking preorders in physical stores.
What about Switch 2 preorders in other countries?
Nintendo's own online stores are operating different Switch 2 preorder systems in different countries. While there's an automatic invitation system in the UK, Ireland and other countries in Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand have a lottery system.
Entry is open now, and participants will be picked at random, but there are some conditions: you need to have notched up 50 hours of playtime on Nintendo Switch by 28 February and you need to have been a Nintendo Switch Online member for at least 1 year at the time of submission.
Bad news for Switch fans in Canada. Preorders there have been delayed along with those in the US. I'm not sure why since I'm assuming US tariffs wouldn't affect the price in Canada, but there's an air of general uncertainly. Nintendo says it still aims to release the console in both the US and Canada on 5 June.
When will I receive my Nintendo Switch 2 preorder?
If you're one of the lucky few people to have managed to preorder a Nintendo Switch 2 consoles already, Nintendo Europe says that customers in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Luxembourg, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Switzerland will receive their consoles on the release day itself (5 June) if they ordered direct from Nintendo.
Customers in other European countries may have to wait a day or two longer.
UK Switch 2 pre-orders are back at EE!
EE was showing an error message when adding items to basket earlier, but Switch 2 preorders are available again.
Stock seems to be fluctuating, so you might have to keep checking the different bundles, but in theory, it means there are now two possible options for pre-ordering the Switch 2 online in the UK if you haven't received a personal invitation from Nintendo: EE and JD Williams of all places! Here are your options:
- Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World - £429.99 at EE
- Nintendo Switch 2 + Pro controller + Samsung microSD card - £499.99 at EE
- Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World + 2 pairs of Joy-Con2 controllers and Joy-Con 2 wheels - £505.99 at EE
- Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World + Camera - £539.99 at EE
- Nintendo Switch 2 console - £395.99 at EE
- Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World - £429.99 at JD Williams
- Nintendo Switch 2 console - £395.99 at JD Williams
Well that didn't last long!
Sorry folks, but those UK Switch preorders at JD Williams and EE have gone. That means NO retailer has stock left now (at least on consoles – there are new accessories around).
Based on our experience during previous console launches, the situation is likely to remain fluid, so it's still worth checking all retailers because new stock assigned could drop (and disappear) at any moment. At EE in particular stock seems to be fluctuating fast, sometimes coming back on certain options.
Q: Why are Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders selling out?
In a similar pattern we've seen with some previous console launches, Switch 2 pre-orders are selling out in many places where they're available. In Japan, Nintendo has apologised for its website crashing under demand, and in the UK many retailers are currently showing no stock.
It makes you wonder how pre-orders actually work. The Switch 2 release date isn't until 5 June. No retailer has any physical stock yet, so how can they go out of stock? Should out-of-stock pre-orders even be a thing?
The concept of pre-orders for tech devices has been a huge success, allowing customers to guarantee immediate shipment on release, while also allowing manufacturers gauge demand to help determine the size of initial production runs.
Although some retailers say they're out of stock, the more correct terminology would be 'out of allocation'. Retailers secure certain allocations of stock from Nintendo, and these can often be replenished periodically if they're able to put in new orders – but they don't want to take more orders from customers than they know they'll be able to deliver on the release date.
There's also a certain amount of hype at work. Pre-orders generate excitement. When they sell out, the scarcity generates more hype still, which can help the next batch of allocation sell out just as fast.
There's also the issue of scalpers buying up large quantities of preorders to resell at inflated prices. Nintendo and many retailers have taken measures to try to avoid that, but it could still happen. Please don't pay more than the official price no matter how desperate you get for your Switch 2!
Keep calm, and you'll be able to order eventually Keep checking the retailers above, and we'll report as soon as we have more updates.
It's now day 3 of tracking Nintendo Switch 2 preorders, and things are looking, er, peachy? Stock in the UK is fluctuating quite rapidly, with only the scraps of more expensive console bundles that nobody really wants remaining. In the US, all you can do right now is sit patiently and twiddle your thumbs while we wait for those "coming soon" buttons to transform to "add to cart".
On the plus side, there seems to be plenty of accessory and game stock holding strong, so it might be the time to stock up (pardon the pun) on accessories and games first before securing your Switch 2 console.
Q: If I already own a Nintendo Switch console, should I upgrade to the Switch 2?
Only you can make that choice, but I would advise thinking about how often you play your current console, your budget for upgrading, what you like/don't like about your current Nintendo Switch console, and whether any of the new Switch 2 features are tempting enough for you to make the switch (pardon the pun).
Considering that all of the old and new Nintendo Switch games will be backwards compatible, there's no real NEED to upgrade to the Switch 2 to continue playing the franchises you love, so you could look at it as more of a "treat yourself" situation on whether you can afford to reward yourself with this latest next-gen console upgrade.
See our handy Nintendo Switch 2 vs Switch OLED – should you upgrade? guide for more.
Stock update: Last bundle deal available at EE in the UK
The last remaining Switch 2 bundle you can get over at EE right now is priced at £505.99, and includes the Switch 2 console + Mario Kart World + an extra pair of Joy-Con controllers + 2 Joy-Con Racing Wheels.
It seems like most people aren't opting for this bundle, and I imagine it's because not everyone will need 4 Joy-Con controllers (including the ones you get with the console) unless you have a bigger household. Nonetheless, if you're running out of options to secure a Switch 2 console preorder then this isn't a bad option.
Since it looks like the only things you can preorder right now for the Switch 2 are games and accessories, which ones are worth getting? We've put together a guide to the best Nintendo Switch 2 games, and we have the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories in the works too.
On the topic of Nintendo Switch 2 games, what are your thoughts on the higher prices? Our 3D and Arts editor feels that the rise of game prices is starting to feel a little absurd, and I completely agree.
But the good news is that there's a clever hack I've found to prevent gamers from paying up to $80 on new Nintendo Switch 2 titles.
So...during my hunt for some Switch 2 accessories, I came across a UK stockist that I really didn't expect – Simply Be. When you search the Simply Be website for 'Nintendo', nothing will come up. But search for 'Simply Be Nintendo' via Google and you should see some listings for Nintendo Switch 2 accessories as well as the Switch 2 console itself (which sadly seems to be out of stock).
I'd always thought that Simply Be was just a clothing brand, but Nintendo's reach has no limits apparently.
