GameStop, Target, and Walmart Reveal Switch 2 Preorder Start Dates

Nintendo just dropped some exciting news for gamers eagerly awaiting the Switch 2! Preorders in the US are set to kick off on April 24th, well ahead of the console's official launch on June 5th. And guess what? Retail giants like GameStop, Target, and Walmart have spilled the beans on when you can jump on the preorder bandwagon.

GameStop announced on X that if you're the type who loves to be first in line, you can snag your Switch 2 preorder in-store when the doors swing open on April 24th. But if you'd rather not leave your couch, online preorders will start at 11AM ET on the same day. And when the big day arrives, GameStop promises that "all stores" will be ready to roll out the red carpet at 12AM ET on June 5th (or 9PM PT on June 4th) for the console launch.

Over at Target, the clock starts ticking at 12AM ET on April 24th for Switch 2 preorders, according to their website. Whether you're after the console, games, or accessories, you'll want to set your alarm for that one.

Walmart's jumping into the fray at the same time as Target—12AM ET on April 24th, as confirmed by company spokesperson Leigh Stidham to *The Verge*. Plus, if you get your preorder in by June 4th at 8AM ET, Walmart guarantees you'll have your console in hand before 9AM on launch day, as long as they haven't run out of stock.

Best Buy hasn't pinned down a specific time yet, but they've made it clear on their website that you'll be able to preorder "the console, games and accessories" starting April 24th through the Best Buy Mobile App and BestBuy.com. We're still waiting to hear back from Best Buy on the exact timing. And come June 5th, "most stores" will be open for preorder pickups starting at 12AM ET (or 9PM PT on June 4th).

We've also reached out to Amazon to see if they'll be joining the preorder party and, if so, when the festivities will begin.

Originally, Nintendo had planned for preorders to start on April 9th, but they hit the brakes to take a closer look at tariffs and the ever-shifting market landscape.

As part of today's big reveal, Nintendo confirmed that the Switch 2's starting price will stick at $449.99, and the bundle with *Mario Kart World* will remain at $499.99. But don't forget, there's a bit of a sting with accessory prices going up—Switch 2 Joy-Con and Pro Controller are both seeing a $5 hike.

And a word to the wise: Nintendo hinted that prices might not stay the same forever, saying, "other adjustments to the price of any Nintendo product are also possible in the future depending on market conditions."

Updates, April 18th: Added details from GameStop, Walmart, and Best Buy.