Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders are now in their second week for the US and fourth for the UK, and there's a scarcity of stock.
The new generation handheld enjoyed a relatively bountiful supply when it first hit the shelves in either region, with stores like Walmart and Best Buy holding out longer than they ever did with previous Sony and Microsoft consoles. However, that seems to have dried up in the last few days.
There are still stores we're yet to hear from - Newegg and Antonline both have listing pages live but so far have no dropped any Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order stock. Meanwhile, in the UK, we're looking forward to new drops in a second wave of retailer allocation, likely due to hit in the next couple of weeks. The Nintendo Switch 2 might be hard to find, but there's definitely hope for more pre-order action before that June 5 release date.
I've been tracking hard-to-find stock for over five years now. It all started when the PS5 and Xbox Series X were near-impossible to pre-order back in 2020. Since then, I've been covering high profile releases, tracking which retailers drop new stock the most frequently (and how to make the most of it when they do). That means I know where to look next and, crucially, what you can do to end up with an email confirmation at the end of it.
Quick Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order links
- Walmart: Check for stock
- GameStop: Check for stock
- Best Buy: Check for stock
- Target: Check for stock
- Amazon: No product page yet
- Nintendo: Register for invitation
- Newegg: Listing pages live
UK
- Amazon: Check stock
- The Game Collection: Check stock
- ShopTo: Check for stock
- Ebuyer: Check for stock
- EE: Check for stock
- Argos: Check for stock
- Very: Check for stock
- Game: Check stock
- Currys: Check for stock
- Nintendo: Check for stock
Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders in the US
Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders in the UK
Should you pre-order Nintendo Switch 2?
If you missed out on the first wave of Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders, you may be wondering what the fuss is all about. The Switch 2 is a more powerful handheld capable of running new exclusive games (and most of the old Switch catalog) much better in both handheld and docked mode, with a few extra fancy features up its sleeve as well.
Considering the speed these devices are selling at, you'll want to get a pre-order locked in as soon as possible if you want a handheld on the very day it releases. We don't know how long delivery will take when buying it direct on launch day, and some stores are still guaranteeing that release window. That said, stock is difficult to find right now so you'll need to join the hunt.
If you know you'll ultimately end up upgrading to the Switch 2, but still have a capable handheld and a backlog of titles to get through, that pre-order isn't quite so urgent. However, I would warn against leaving it in the hopes of a cheaper price come the holidays. Nintendo hardware holds its value for an exceedingly long amount of time, and considering all the tariff troubles I'm expecting we won't see a price cut for some time yet.
What Nintendo Switch 2 accessories are available?
Nintendo has provided a wealth of first party accessories to choose from, with refreshes to most of its classic Switch peripherals for the second generation. The new Pro 2 Controller improves on battery charge times, haptics, and offers a more luxurious build quality while you can still pick up additional Joy-Con 2 Pairs with all those magnetic, mouse-sensor features baked in.
On top of those staples, you'll find two official cases, one slimline carry case and another all-in-one box carrier, the return of the Joy-Con Wheels, spare grips, and a new Joy-Con Charging Grip with the benefit of two additional back buttons.
Then there's the all-important camera for easy online multiplayer sessions (though Hori has also released a cheaper and far more exciting Piranha Plant model as well).
Finally, we have the GameCube controller. This is a My Nintendo exclusive designed to work alongside the new range of GC games heading to Nintendo Switch Online on the new device. You'll need to have an invite from Nintendo specifically to purchase that one, though.
When is the Nintendo Switch 2 release date?
The Nintendo Switch 2 will officially land on the shelves on June 5, with some retailers offering guaranteed release day delivery. However, as stock has already shifted off the shelves some stores are pushing their shipping timelines further back.
Live updates
Another week begins
Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders have just started their second week in the US, with the UK now onto its fourth week of early stock.
Things are quiet right now, but there are a few new movements on retailer sites to take note of. I'm stock checking through all the biggest stores, and will be bringing you all my tips and tricks for making the most of any drops you do come up against, right here.
Walmart isn't listing the Nintendo Switch 2 anymore
This is an odd one.
Walmart generally keeps its listings around when it's run out of stock - that's what I've seen from the PS5, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection, and PS Portal over the years at least. However, the store has removed its listings for both the Nintendo Switch 2 handheld and the Mario Kart World bundle.
I would be surprised if Walmart was out of this race. The store had a massive supply when it dropped its first wave of pre-orders last week. This is certainly one to watch, though.
In better news...
GameStop has the Nintendo Switch 2 listed as "coming soon."
Rather than simply saying it's unavailable or out of stock, GameStop is giving us a little hope with this message. Sure, it could be referring to launch day but the optimists among us will be keeping a close eye on this retailer over the next few weeks.
Nintendo Switch 2 | Check stock at GameStop
PSA: Don't buy Nintendo Switch 2 from resellers
eBay is rife with reseller listings for the Nintendo Switch 2 right now, with some charging near $800 for the handheld by itself. Considering we've still got just over a month of pre-orders (and launch day availability) to go, it's just not worth buying from these scams.
They're essentially the same people (and their armies of bots) who took your pre-order from reputable retailers like Best Buy or Walmart. Allowing them to sell it back to you at an inflated price will only make it harder to buy releases in the future as more scammers get involved.
Nothing in the UK right now
The last retailer I saw offering Nintendo Switch 2 stock in the UK was The Game Collection and since those bundles left the shelves it's all been very quiet.
Still, last week gave us enough new drops to count on two hands so there's plenty to look forward to.
As ever, I'd recommend keeping in touch with Very and Argos, but Amazon has also been upping its frequency lately as well. It's also also worth watching those smaller stores like ShopTo as handhelds can hit the shelves without warning.
Top Tip: Stay signed into your accounts
Even if you missed out on last week's stock at Best Buy, Walmart, Target, and GameStop, it's well worth creating accounts for all of them and staying signed in. You never know when new Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders are going to pop up and you'll want to be ready to sail through checkout as quickly as possible when they do.
I see consoles being sniped out of baskets constantly - it's not yours until you have that email confirmation. Stores will simply allow you to add it to your cart and then hand out allocation as each purchase is processed through the system. Keeping your shipping and payment details saved in your account (or using Apple or Google Pay) is the fastest way to make it through.
All eyes on Newegg
Yes, Walmart, Best Buy, and GameStop are all worth keeping a close eye on this week, but there's one more retailer I'm going to be watching like a hawk.
Newegg has the Nintendo Switch 2 listed on its site, but hasn't dropped any stock yet. That means there could be pre-orders waiting to go live, though the reason for any delay would be a mystery. It's been four days since that onslaught of stock hit the shelves for the first time, and this smaller retailer might be waiting for a lull in activity.
Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle | Check stock at Newegg
Nintendo Switch 2 games are still available to pre-order at Walmart
What you doing there Wii Sports?
Walmart still has a range of Nintendo Switch 2 games available to pre-order right now, spanning everything from Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza to Switch 2 versions of The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. That's all alongside third party releases like Cyberpunk 2077, Split Fiction, and Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar.
Just make a note of those release dates, as they aren't all launch-day titles.
View all Nintendo Switch 2 games at Walmart
Amazon US might not have Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders at all
If you spend some time digging through Amazon US's Nintendo listings you'll notice something strange. Pretty much nothing is actually sold direct via the retailer, and hasn't been for some time.
I first noticed it over Black Friday, when there were close to zero offers on any Ninty games, handhelds, or accessories. The retailer wasn't even carrying last year's holiday bundles.
There's been talk of a bust up between these two brands for some time, with many citing Amazon's early delivery (and therefore broken street dates) on Nintendo's games as a reason behind the breakup.
Considering the store hasn't got any Nintendo Switch 2 listings live, it might be sitting this one out.
Top Tip: If listings appear at this UK retailer we're in for a good time
Very only ever lists the Nintendo Switch 2 when it has inventory to shift, so if you spot bundles on the shelves (even if they're slated as unavailable) it's go time. I haven't seen it for a while now, but it's worth remembering while you're out hunting for stock.
Nintendo Switch 2 | Check stock at Very
Where to pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller
The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is also available for pre-order right now, and its stock is holding out a little better than the handheld.
Best Buy is your go-to in the US after Walmart ran out of stock towards the end of last week. There, you'll find the updated Pro Controller available for $84.99 with shipping by release day.
Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller | $84.99 at Best Buy
Over in the UK, you'll want to head to Very, with delivery set for June 5 and a seemingly endless supply of stock available.
Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller | £74.99 at Very
PSA: Nintendo's invites don't ship until May 8
If you've registered for a Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order via the brand's own Nintendo Store you might get another shot at stock. Those email invitations will only be sent out starting May 8 (and only to those who meet the criteria of hours played and length of NSO subscription).
There's no need to panic thinking you've been missed off the list already. While Nintendo doesn't guarantee everyone will be invited next month, and has more recently explained that even its own store won't guarantee launch day delivery, we've still got a week to go before Ninty makes its move.
Where to pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera
Getting ready for the full online multiplayer Mario Kart experience from day one? You'll need to grab yourself a lens first.
Walmart is also out of stock on the Nintendo Switch 2 camera, but Best Buy has swooped in to save the day again. The $54.99 device is available to pre-order right now via the yellow-label store, with both pickup and shipping available for release day.
Nintendo Switch 2 Camera | $54.99 at Best Buy
The UK is still covered by Very here, with the £49.99 camera available to pre-order with delivery set for June 5.
Nintendo Switch 2 Camera | £49.99 at Very
Can you pre-order Nintendo Switch 2 in-store?
It's all very quiet online right now, but if you're getting impatient it's well worth heading into a few stores. I know for a fact that GameStop is offering these in-person orders in the US, and Currys is your go-to in the UK. The latter is only running its pre-orders through its brick and mortar locations.
Let's talk about Argos
Argos sold out of Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders much slower than other retailers, holding that stock for a good day before finally giving way. I would still recommend keeping a close eye on this store, though, for one reason.
All that lovely stock is organized by post code. That means UK stock hunters have a much smaller competition pool when hunting down new pre-order opportunities. You're only racing those in your local area to your store's supply.
I don't think Argos is out for the count yet. Considering there's still just over a month left before that June 5 release date, there's plenty of time for more availability to show up.
Nintendo Switch 2 | Check stock at Argos
Should you pre-order extra Joy-Con?
Sets of extra Joy-Con are particularly expensive for the Nintendo Switch 2, coming in at $94.99 in the US and £74.99 in the UK. Adding a pair of these to your order is going to bump your Switch price up to a whopping $544.98 / £470.98 - and that's assuming you don't opt for the better-value Mario Kart World bundle.
I don't think many players will need an extra set of Joy-Con from day one. If you want easy multiplayer access there are far cheaper gamepads ready to buy that sacrifice a few of Ninty's own features for budget, reliable play. However, if you know you'll need all those motion and rumble controls straight from the off (say you've got more than two children who both want to play at the same time), you'll be looking at a pricey addition.
Right now, Joy-Con 2 Pairs are only available to pre-order in the UK. We're still waiting on Walmart and Best Buy to launch their stock in the US.
UK: £74.99 at Very
US: Check Best Buy
Will Newegg drop more Nintendo Switch 2 stock today?
Newegg hasn't shifted all day, but still has the Nintendo Switch 2 (and its Mario Kart World bundle) listed on the page. We're just past that magic morning window now, the 8am ET - 11am ET block when I've seen most retailers launching hard-to-find stock in the past. However, I'd still keep watch at 2pm ET as that's another big time for some US retailers.
Antonline has posted its Nintendo Switch 2 listings
Antonline has now listed both the Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart World bundle, with 'Coming Soon' buttons on each. Clicking through tells you that the "item cannot be purchased at this time" but any movement is good!
Nintendo Switch 2 | Check stock at Antonline
You can pre-order the Switch 2 GameCube controller, but it might be tricky
The Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube controller will only be available pre-order direct from Nintendo itself. They're also restricted to those who have already been invited to buy the Switch 2 from Ninty's own email notification system. That means US folk are still waiting until those May 8 invites roll out, but UK stock-hunters are free to place their orders as soon as they get their invite.
That's easier said than done - first you have to qualify to buy an actual console from Nintendo, and considering the brand has already claimed that Japanese demand is outweighing supplies that's not going to be a walk in the park.
A stock-less day
It's been tough trying to find a Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order today, it looks like UK retailers are still refueling before their second waves and US stores are understandably still getting over their recent drops last week. I'm still keeping my eyes peeled for any movement from Newegg and Antonline, but it looks like we're in a quiet period right now.
Amazon UK has stock!
Amazon has just dropped Nintendo Switch 2 stock for the first time in a little while. This thing tends to move fast, though, so I'd get there as soon as you can.
Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle | £429.99 at Amazon
And it's gone
Well that was fun, Amazon dropped a few minutes of Nintendo Switch 2 stock but it all sold out pretty fast. I'm not getting that magical 'pre-order now' button back no matter how many times I refresh now, so it's safe to say the site is done for now.
That's not the end of this road, though - far from it. This is the fourth time I've seen Amazon UK stealth dropping a few handhelds at a time, and it's unlikely to be the last. Stay in touch with this store to see if you strike lucky over the rest of the day.
What's everyone else saying?
I've just come from another full retailer check and everyone else seems to be staying quiet this morning. Retailers in the US and UK are still holding their previous positions, with some removing the Switch 2 from their listing pages entirely and others leaving us with an enticing 'Coming Soon' message.
Keep checking the stores at the top of this page - I only stumbled across that Amazon UK drop by checking through the list. You'll need to be in the right place at the right time but you never know when you'll get lucky.
Hori Piranha Plant Camera vs Nintendo Switch 2 Camera: Which should you pre-order?
There are two Nintendo Switch 2 cameras up for pre-order right now, with Ninty's official model costing $54.99 / £49.99 and Hori's infinitely more fun Piranha Plant model available for $59.99 / £34.99.
The former simply sits next to your dock, offering 1080p video capture while you play with your friends. Hori's model features a privacy shutter built into those foreboding jaws, and a detachable stem so that you can easily use it in handheld mode, but it taps out at a crusty 480p resolution.
The main difference between the two is that capture quality. You're going to get a much sharper, cleaner image from Nintendo's own camera, at the expense of Hori's fun aesthetic, privacy features, and detachable design.
Ultimately, the one you pre-order comes down to how you plan on using your camera. If you're building a brightly themed setup and don't mind the drop in quality, Hori's is a solid bet. However, if you won't use it in handheld mode and would prefer to appear in higher resolution to your friends, Nintendo is the way to go.
Nintendo Switch 2 Camera | $54.99 at Best Buy | £49.99 at Very
Hori Piranha Plant Camera | $59.99 at Best Buy | £34.99 at Very
Where to pre-order Donkey Kong Bananza
Donkey Kong Bananza isn't a launch title, but it is one of the most popular pre-orders alongside the handheld itself. While this 3D action platformer won't land at your doorstep until July 17, it's in stock across the US and UK right now.
Donkey Kong Bananza | $69 at Walmart | £64.99 at Very
Be sure to sign up to email notifications
Last week, The Game Collection actually made good on its email notification system in the UK, letting us know of a bundle drop that would be landing just a few hours later. That's why it's so important to stay up to date with these retailers, while some will simply stealth drop their stock (looking at you Amazon), others can actually give you a valuable heads up.
Very and Walmart add new games for pre-order
Four more Nintendo Switch 2 game pre-orders have now arrived at Walmart (and Very if you're in the UK). Both Cyberpunk 2077 and Split Fiction are ready to go ahead of that June 5 launch date, meanwhile Madden 26 is queued up to release on August 31. Walmart doesn't have Civ VII on its shelves yet, but UK stock-hunters can now pre-order as well.
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition | $69 at Walmart | £64.99 at Very
Split Fiction | $49.99 at Walmart | £44.99 at Very
Madden NFL 26 | $69.99 at Walmart | £69.99 at Very
Sid Meier's Civilization VII | £59.99 at Very
GameStop is investigating a store over shady Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders
GameStop's Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders went live in-store on April 24 last week, but some have reported (like Elea Tsentzelis on Twitter) that stock-hunters were being turned away if they did not want to buy one of the store's own bundles.
Rather than selling the handheld, Mario Kart World bundle, and a few other packages separately, some brick and mortar stores were apparently pushing larger-priced bundles instead.
Of course, retailers can do what they want with their allocation and this was only reported from one location so far.
PSA: You don't need to rebuy Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has a full Nintendo Switch 2 version hitting the shelves on June 5, but if you already own the game for your existing Switch you can simply buy an "upgrade pack" to enjoy the upscaled title.
The Switch 2 version benefits from higher resolution gameplay and adds HDR support and compatibility for the Zelda Notes section of the Nintendo Switch App. The upgrade is $9.99 in the US and £7.99 in the UK, which means it may be cheaper to buy a Switch version of the game and upgrade later.
The full game costs $69 / £64.99 at pre-order, but you can pick up a Switch copy for $49.58 at Walmart right now, or £44.99 at Very.
Will retailers restock before June 5?
We're in a quiet period right now, which means stores have already sold out of their first Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order allocations and are likely trying to gather more handhelds to put on the shelves. Whether or not we see more stock before launch day depends on whether Nintendo is providing that second wave.
Both Sony and Microsoft replenished retailer supplies frequently when the PS5 and Xbox Series X first launched back in 2020. I saw new pre-orders launching fairly frequently in the weeks following that first wave, though things did slow down closer to launch.
Right now, I'm erring on the side of optimism. I've seen stock come back on every major pre-order release I've covered and, while Nintendo does do its own thing and has been affected by the tariff situation, I'm confident we'll see something similar here.
New Legend of Zelda Amiibo are starting to run out of stock
The Riju and Tulin Legend of Zelda Amiibo have now run out of stock at Walmart (though are still available at Best Buy), and the Yunobo figure remains unavailable until release day on June 5 for some reason. Justice for my guy Sidon, though, that Amiibo is still readily available having seen less interest during this pre-order season.
- Tulin | $29.99 at Best Buy
- Sidon | $29.88 at Walmart
- Riju | $29.99 at Best Buy
- Yunobo | Check stock at Walmart
There's more where that came from
If you're more Capcom-leaning, you'll be glad to know there's also a series of three new Street Fighter 6 Amiibo available for pre-order. These are a little more expensive, coming in $10 higher than the Zelda figures, but they are all still in stock ahead of that June 6 release date.
Luke Amiibo | $39.88 at Walmart
Kimberly Amiibo | $39.88 at Walmart
Jamie Amiibo | $39.88 at Walmart
Top Tip: Go straight for the Mario Kart World bundle when stock does land
The Mario Kart World bundle costs $50 more in the US and £30 more in the UK, but it offers far better value than buying the handheld by itself. That's because the game comes in at $79.99 / £74.99 by itself, so the bundle is saving you a good chunk of change straight from the off.
That means it's the more popular option by far, and we also know that retailers have higher allocations of this stock as a result. It's better value and there's more to go around, but you might have to fight a little harder to get it.
Where to pre-order Street Fighter 6 Years 1-2 on Nintendo Switch 2
Street Fighter 6 Years 1-2 is available for pre-order in both the US and UK right now, with the Capcom title due to land alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5. This is cheaper than most first-party launch day games, coming in at $59.99 / £49.99.
Street Fighter 6 Years 1-2 | $59.88 at Walmart | £49.99 at Very
Will Walmart's guaranteed launch day delivery hold for future restocks?
Walmart had an ace up its sleeve when Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders first went live last week. The retailer was offering free launch day delivery on all orders placed before June 4, with shipping guaranteed before 9am. That's as good as getting up and queuing for a store's opening.
However, some reported that delivery date slipping slightly towards the end of Walmart's first wave of stock. Whether or not the offer returns when the retailer does get a new batch of handhelds to fling out remains to be seen. Given the longer timeline of June 4, though, I'm cautiously optimistic.
Where to pre-order the official Nintendo Switch 2 carry case
I don't know about you, but when I spend nearly $500 on a new gadget I want a case as soon as possible. While there will no doubt be a multitude of third party cases on the shelves by the time the Nintendo Switch 2 makes its official debut, Ninty itself has its official clamshell available to pre-order right now.
The $39.99 / £20.99 carry case is a simple design, but it will see you through those early days of carting your new toy around town - plus it comes with a screen protector for good measure. Stock is out in the US right now, but GameStop still has a listing page live so I'd recommend checking there first. Meanwhile, UK stock-hunters can readily pre-order at Very.
Nintendo Switch 2 carry case | Check stock at GameStop | £20.99 at Very
Walmart only has a few Nintendo Switch 2 accessories left
Only the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera and Nintendo Switch 2 AC Adapter remain on Walmart's shelves right now, with everything else being sold out. Best Buy is picking up the slack on a few bits and pieces but overall this is odd behavior from one of the largest retailers in the game.
With Amazon apparently sitting this generation out, I would have expected Bezos's allocation to be split between Walmart and Best Buy. However, that fact that the big-box store to have run out of stock so much quicker than its yellow-label counterpart is a little odd.
View all Nintendo Switch 2 accessories at Walmart
Is Currys going online? Probably not
A few days ago, we spotted that Currys had actually posted listing pages for the Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle. That came as a surprise seeing as the retailer was so adamant it was only doing in-store pre-orders.
There's some mixed messages on this page, though. A smaller boxout is telling us to go to a nearby store to pre-order, but there's also an email notification for new stock updates. I've seen that page element on other products in the past, so I wouldn't put too much stock in it - it's likely a static button that exists on every Currys item that happens to be unavailable.
I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, and I'm more than happy to be proven wrong here, but I expect this isn't a listing page for pre-orders. Currys will ultimately be selling the Nintendo Switch 2 on its website after launch, and considering the page is still directing traffic towards in-store orders I expect this is more of a holding page for June 5.
Still, there's movement here. And we'll take any movement we can get at the moment.
Nintendo Switch 2 | £395.99 at Currys
Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle | £429.99 at Currys
There's always Nintendo
If you're getting frustrated with the lack of stock in the US, I'd recommend signing up to Nintendo's invite system as soon as possible. Priority will be given to those with longer Switch Online memberships and more than 50 hours of playtime on their account, but these pre-orders don't start until May 8.
The brand has recently stated that its supplies couldn't keep up with Japan's demand when it launched pre-orders in the region, so this is far from a guarantee. However, it is another shot to keep in your back pocket.
There could be more to that May 8 date
I have a theory, and it's simply a theory. Nintendo could well be holding back on its additional allocation to third party retailers until after that May 8 invite date. We could be in for a quiet week until it rolls around, but this could mark the start of the next wave of units being allocated to stores in the US and UK.
