Nintendo has issued a crucial warning to U.S. fans eagerly awaiting the release of the Nintendo Switch 2. Following the company's announcement of struggling to meet demand in Japan, it's now clear that securing a Switch 2 on launch day, June 5, could be challenging for American consumers as well.
On its official website, Nintendo updated fans who had registered their interest in purchasing the Switch 2 from the My Nintendo Store. The company stated it cannot guarantee delivery by the June 5 release date. This means that invitation emails for purchasing the console might arrive after the Switch 2 has already hit the market. However, Nintendo assures that upon purchase, customers will receive a confirmed shipping date.
"Thank you to those of you who have already registered your interest in purchasing from My Nintendo Store," Nintendo's statement read. "We're thrilled by the enthusiasm for Nintendo Switch 2! Due to the very high demand, we will be working diligently to fulfill orders as product becomes available, but delivery by June 5 is not guaranteed. Your invitation email may arrive after the Nintendo Switch 2 launch. We'll confirm your shipping date upon purchase."
In light of this, Nintendo suggests that fans might have a better chance of obtaining a Switch 2 at launch by pre-ordering through third-party retailers. However, this advice comes at a time when pre-orders at these retailers, such as GameStop, have already sold out following their launch overnight.
"If you wish to increase your opportunity of obtaining a Nintendo Switch 2 system at launch, please visit our participating retail partners above," the statement directed, linking to GameStop, where the Switch 2 is currently unavailable. For those willing to wait, Nintendo reassures that no further action is needed after registering interest with the My Nintendo Store.
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The challenges faced by fans trying to pre-order the Switch 2 on April 24, combined with Nintendo's recent warning, indicate that the next-generation console will be in high demand and difficult to purchase around its launch date.
Earlier this week, Nintendo issued a similar warning to its customers in Japan, stating that a "significant" number would miss out on pre-ordering directly from the company. In a statement on X / Twitter, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa revealed that 2.2 million people in Japan alone had applied for a pre-order from the My Nintendo Store. This "extremely large number of applications… far exceeds our expectations, and far exceeds the number of Nintendo Switch 2 consoles that can be delivered from the My Nintendo Store on June 5," Furukawa explained.
According to an FAQ posted to Nintendo’s website, the first batch of invitations for the My Nintendo Store in the U.S. will be sent out starting May 8, 2025. Additional batches of invitation emails will then be sent "periodically" until purchasing is opened to everyone. Initial invitation emails will be delivered on a first-come, first-serve basis to "eligible registrants who meet the priority criteria." Invitees will have 72 hours from the time the email is sent to complete their purchase.
Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order invitation priority requirements:
- You must have been the one who purchased any Nintendo Switch Online membership.
- You must have had any paid Nintendo Switch Online membership for a minimum of 12 months.
- You must have opted in to share gameplay data and have at least 50 hours total gameplay hours.
Last week, Nintendo announced that Switch 2 pre-orders would begin in the U.S. on April 24, 2025, maintaining the original price of $449.99 and the launch date of June 5. Alongside the base console price, Nintendo confirmed that the Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle would remain at $499.99, and the pricing for both the physical and digital versions of Mario Kart World ($79.99) and Donkey Kong Bananza ($69.99) would not change at launch. However, amid ongoing tariff issues, Nintendo has increased the price of Switch 2 accessories.
Nintendo had initially planned to open pre-orders for the Switch 2 on April 9, but it decided to delay them to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions.
For those looking to pre-order a Nintendo Switch 2, GameCube controller, or other accessories and games, keep an eye on our Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide, which will stay updated with the latest news and information. You can also find out more about how to increase your chances of getting a new Nintendo Switch 2 console on day one.
