The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch on June 5, 2025, and it's expected to be a highly sought-after product. To ensure that dedicated Nintendo fans get a fair chance at pre-ordering, the company has introduced some strategic measures on the official My Nintendo Store. By registering their interest, Nintendo Account holders can pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2 system along with "select accessories." Those who sign up will receive an invitation email when it's their turn to pre-order, which will be valid for 72 hours. However, there's a catch: to be eligible, you must have spent time playing on your current Switch and be a member of Nintendo Switch Online.
According to the fine print on the site, "Invitation emails will be prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis to registrants who have purchased a Nintendo Switch Online membership with a minimum of 12 months of paid membership and a minimum of 50 total gameplay hours, as of April 2, 2025." Additionally, these invitations are non-transferable and will be sent to the email address linked to the Nintendo Account that registered interest. There's a one-per-account limit for both the system and each accessory during the invitation period. Currently, you can express interest in either the base Nintendo Switch 2 system or a bundle that includes Mario Kart World.
Once an order is placed, it will be shipped after purchase, and an approximate shipping date will be provided at the time of ordering. Nintendo clarifies that "release-day delivery is not guaranteed due to processing and shipment times." These measures appear to be designed to ensure that the people buying the Switch 2 through this process are genuinely interested in using the console themselves, rather than reselling it for profit.
Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 Console Slideshow
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Scalping has been a persistent issue with the release of popular products, as seen with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, as well as the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Valve managed to mitigate this issue with the Steam Deck through a queue system that linked purchases to Steam accounts and checked the age of the account. It's no surprise that Nintendo is adopting a similar strategy with the My Nintendo Store pre-order process.
While other avenues to purchase the Nintendo Switch 2 will be available, these measures should help long-time Switch owners secure a pre-order more easily and avoid the potential chaos of launch day.
