Switch 2 Pre-Order Invitations: U.S. and Canada Dates and Priority Set

Pre-orders for the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 were originally scheduled to begin globally on April 9. However, economic turbulence caused by Trump's tariffs led Nintendo to delay pre-orders in the U.S., followed by Canada. Meanwhile, pre-orders proceeded as planned in other regions, including the UK.

According to a FAQ on Nintendo's website, the first round of invitations for pre-orders will be dispatched starting May 8, 2025, exclusively through the My Nintendo Store. Details regarding retail pre-orders have yet to be disclosed.

Nintendo has also announced that additional batches of invitation emails will be sent out "periodically" until the My Nintendo Store opens pre-orders to everyone.

The initial invitations will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to "eligible registrants who meet the priority criteria," as per Nintendo's statement. Those who receive an invitation will have 72 hours from the time the email is sent to finalize their purchase.

To be eligible for the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order invitation, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must have 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 into sharing gameplay data and have accumulated at least 50 hours of total gameplay.

Nintendo Switch 2 Game Boxes

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While Nintendo has not confirmed whether they will maintain their initially announced pricing for the Switch 2, its games, and accessories, or if there will be an increase, some analysts have raised concerns. They suggest that the ongoing tariff war might push Nintendo to raise the price of the base Switch 2 above $449.99. However, no official announcement has been made regarding any price changes.

It's important to note that Nintendo is offering a bundle that includes Mario Kart World with the Nintendo Switch 2 for $499.99, effectively reducing the game's price by $30. This bundle, however, is available for a limited time only.

Here is the current pricing for the Nintendo Switch 2 and related products 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 covered reactions to Nintendo's decision to price the Switch 2 generation games at $80, including insights from analysts who have provided context on this pricing strategy.

Elsewhere, 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 Wii's pack-in game, Wii Sports, through his social media posts.