With the Nintendo Switch 2 set to arrive on 5 June 2025, excitement is building across the gaming community. The base console comes in at $449.99, while the Mario Kart World bundle is priced at $499.99. The new model features improved graphics, an updated Joy-Con 2 controller, and a redesigned dock.
Nintendo’s next hybrid console looks set to build on the huge success of the original Switch. Mario Kart World leads the launch titles, backed by enhanced versions of fan favourites like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, creating a real buzz among Nintendo fans.
Pre-Order Rush Creates Online Mayhem
Pre-orders opened at midnight ET on 24 April 2025, and demand quickly overwhelmed major retailers. Target, Walmart, and Best Buy all struggled to keep up with the rush, as high traffic brought their sites to a crawl.
Many customers faced error messages, system crashes, and long online queues. One gamer on X compared it to trying to get tickets for a top band, as the stock sold out within minutes.
Target’s servers faltered, Walmart kept shoppers stuck in checkout, and Best Buy’s delayed launch meant even more frustration. Some customers were lucky enough to grab a console, especially during Walmart’s brief restock on 26 April, although opportunities were short-lived.
Not everyone enjoyed the process. Walmart came under fire for cancelling some pre-orders, with reports saying orders were dropped after customers asked about delivery details or changed addresses.
Some think retailers might have oversold or faced payment issues, leaving many fans unhappy. A Reddit user shared how their order was cancelled after hours of refreshing pages. Scalpers and bots made things worse, buying up consoles to resell at much higher prices on sites like eBay.
Retailers Prepare for Release Day
Missed the pre-order window? There’s still hope. Target, Walmart, and Best Buy have all confirmed they’ll offer more units on launch day, both online and in stores. Reports suggest Target could have between 30 and 100 consoles available at some branches for walk-in shoppers.
A now-deleted Reddit post, supposedly from a Target employee, mentioned 40 Switch 2 units, with an even split between the base model and the Mario Kart World bundle, being kept under lock and key for release day. Stock watcher Jake Randall shared that there won’t be a midnight launch at Target, so early arrival on opening day could pay off.
Best Buy is taking things up a notch with some stores opening at 12:01 a.m. ET on 5 June. They promise “limited inventory” for consoles, games, and accessories, plus a free Nintendo collectible for early shoppers.
GameStop will also restock both in-store and online, although numbers will be limited. Walmart, while keeping plans quiet, has revived its Switch 2 web pages, hinting at more stock for launch day. Deal tracker @Wario64 on X suggests staying alert online or arriving early in person for the best shot at buying a Nintendo Switch 2 console.
Nintendo’s Strategy
Nintendo is handling things a bit differently. Instead of regular pre-orders and coupons, the My Nintendo Store asks fans to register their interest using an account with at least 50 hours of play logged before 2 April 2025. This aims to cut down on scalpers for Nintendo Switch 2.
Invitations to buy are being sent out in stages, so some fans are still waiting for their chance. This new approach has divided opinion, with some supporting Nintendo’s efforts to stop resellers and others frustrated by the strict requirements.
How to Boost Your Chances of Getting a Nintendo Switch 2
With launch day approaching, here are some ways to improve your odds:
- Sign up for restock alerts from Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and GameStop.
- Use sites like HotStock or NowInStock to check availability in real time.
- If online options don’t work, try visiting Target or Best Buy on release day. Arrive early, as queues are expected.
- Avoid paying inflated prices on resale sites. Waiting could mean getting the console at the regular price.
Excitement Builds for Launch
As 5 June draws closer, Nintendo Switch 2 fans are showing real excitement. Mario Kart World’s open-world racing and the new Pro Controller, priced at $84.99, are adding to the hype. There’s strong optimism that Switch 2 could break sales records, with some experts predicting 20 million units sold in its first year.
Stores are gearing up, and fans are preparing to queue up from early morning. The Nintendo Switch 2 looks set to be one of the biggest gaming launches in recent years.
