Latest updates to restocking for retailers like GameStop, Walmart, Target and Best Buy
The Nintendo Switch 2 reservation window is technically open, but if you haven’t received an order yet, it can be hard to grab the console before the June 5 release date. To review the current situation: Nintendo finally launched reservations in the United States and Canada on April 24 after the device’s original April 9 booking date delay. After a few hours, the headache caused by several hours is in stock on third-party retailers such as Walmart, Target, and Best Buy Buy solled. Gamestop started taking orders later that morning, but soon encountered the same fate.
Some Hawkeye buyers are reportedly able to book through Walmart until Saturday, April 26, but the retailer has since completely removed 2 pages of one of its Switches while another listed the stock. The other stores mentioned above also did not accept reservations during our latest update.
We’ve been following this change when it comes to this, but now we know that the only other retailer we know will have reservations is Nintendo itself, which is through its Nintendo store itself. That is, the equipment manufacturer will only provide switch 2 through the invitation system. It begins accepting registrations on April 2 and will launch its first wave of invitations on May 8. However, the company updated its website last week to indicate that some people may not receive booking emails until the June 5 launch date.
How to book a Nintendo Switch 2
As mentioned above, third-party retailers like Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart and Target opened their reservations on April 24. Bookings for Best Buy, Walmart and Target start at midnight ET, while live staff and online bookings for GameStop start at 11 a.m. ET. However, on our latest scan, the console is still sold out in all of these stores or is listed as “coming soon.”
We expect to offer Switch 2 from Amazon sometime in the future, but there isn’t yet, and there is no indication when it will change. Other membership-based stores like Costco and Sam’s Club have also released Switch 2 listings, but we didn’t see anything that we could suggest them accept reservations. Newegg also has a Switch 2 pages, but has not yet offered a purchase option.
At this point, if you haven’t already, we recommend registering through Nintendo’s website. It can be signed up for free and you will eventually receive an email that you can order the console even if you have to wait until after June 5 launch date. Note that Nintendo will give invitations “on a first come first served basis” priority to those who pay for their switches’ online services for at least 12 months and record at least 50 hours of total switch playback time. (For the latter, you need to choose to share game data with Nintendo, which you can confirm in your account’s privacy settings.) So, if you’re just signing up on Nintendo today, don’t be surprised that your invitation doesn’t arrive until some time after the batch on May 8.
Anyway, if you are desperate to receive restocking, it is best to create a free account with each of the retailers above and make sure all shipping and billing information is up to date. Downloading each store’s mobile app and signing up for notifications can also help, although this can quickly become annoying. We will continue to update this post with the latest Switch 2 reservation information over time.
Book Nintendo Switch 2
Book Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Karting World bundle
*As of Friday, May 2, at 1:15 pm ET, Amazon has not listed any Switch 2 console kit for sale. If they arrive, we will update this article with a direct link; prior to that, we were linking to the Nintendo-centric hub of the site.
How to book 2 accessories and games
Naturally, the Switch 2 has several accessories and new games that you can book separately. While Nintendo did not adjust the console’s pricing after announcing the revised pre-order date, it did increase the cost of several accessories. The new Switch 2 camera now costs $55 instead of the original $50, while the new Switch 2 Pro Controller costs $85 instead of $80. Starting at $90, an additional set of Joy-Con 2 controllers costs up to $95, while the official Joy-Con charging grip now costs $40 instead of $35. You can check out Nintendo’s official statement in all of these price adjustments on April 18.
Broadly speaking, most of these accessories are still snapped up at least at one or two retailers, but the stock has become more bloated since the initial booking. Upcoming first-party games Mario Karting World and Donkey BananaAt the same time, it can still be widely used.
Mario Karting World $80
Donkey Banana $70
Additional Switch 2 Game
Samsung MicroSD Express Card (256GB) for Nintendo Switch 2 is priced at $60
$95 Joy-Con 2 Bundle
Switch 2 Pro Controller for $85
Switch 2 cameras for $55
Hori Nintendo Switch 2 Piranha Plant Camera, $60
Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip, priced at $40
joy-con 2 wheels (2 sets 2 sets), priced at $25
Switch 2 $85 all-in-one carry case
*As of Friday, May 2, at 1:15 pm ET, Amazon has not listed any first-party switch 2 accessories or games for sale. (However, some third-party devices and games are listed.) If arrived, we will update this article with a direct link; prior to that, we were linking to the Nintendo-centric hub of the site.
More Switch 2 details
We know from the original trailer that Switch 2 will be bigger than the original trailer and take a new approach to exchange for the detachable Joy-Cons. The new controller is now magnetically connected, including a C button, mouse controls, and a built-in gyroscope for tilt control. The device itself is indeed bigger, with a 7.9-inch LCD screen that supports 120Hz refresh rate (with VRR), HDR10 and 1080p resolution. The hardware also has a built-in microphone that supports a new feature called GameChat that allows you to communicate with friends during the game. Nintendo said that until March 31, 2026, all switch 2 users will provide free service, and online membership will be required.
When docked, you will be able to play up to 4K on your TV, Nintendo says it also improves the console’s internal speakers. The new dock has a built-in fan that keeps the console cool and helps maintain performance over long races. Switch 2 has dual USB-C ports for charging, and internal storage jumps from 32GB to 256GB. The Switch 2’s storage space can be expanded as before, but it can only be used with newer (more expensive) microSD Express cards. As the latest 20.0.0 update of the original switch shows, the upcoming console will also take advantage of Nintendo’s new virtual game card system for borrowing digital games across systems, as well as a gaming feature that allows you to share the selection title locally with just one copy of the game.
Tariffs and Nintendo Switch 2
In its latest direct talk in early April, Nintendo showed off more Switch 2 than ever before. In addition to the initial $450 price, this includes the unveiling of the April 9 booking opening date. Soon after, President Trump announced tariffs on China and other countries, prompting Nintendo to postpone reservations in the United States and Canada.
In a reversal, President Trump later announced a 90-day pause on steep tariffs affecting 75 countries, but also announced that tariffs imposed on China would rise further (currently at 145%).
We now know that the initial $450 price of the Switch 2 will remain the same in the U.S. and Canada, but according to its official statement, Nintendo appears to be opening the door for potential future price increases.
We also know that Nintendo began moving some of its switch console manufacturing to Vietnam in 2019. Vietnam’s tariffs increased by 46%, but this is temporarily held in favor of a 10% tariff, which is actually valid during the 90-day pause.
It is speculated that Nintendo will enhance the production of the Switch 2 console in Vietnam, so it can be followed on time even if it sells the console at a loss in the short term. It seems the company will have to seriously increase production to keep up with the demand for the Switch 2: According to Nintendo, in Japan alone, 2.2 million people entered the pre-booked lottery, which far exceeded the expected equipment in the region on launch day.
