Nintendo has issued a crucial warning to U.S. fans eagerly awaiting the release of the Nintendo Switch 2. The company announced that it may not be able to guarantee delivery by the anticipated release date of June 5, following similar concerns raised in Japan about meeting demand.
An update posted on Nintendo's official website specifically targets those who have registered their interest in purchasing a Switch 2 from the My Nintendo Store. The company cautioned that invitation emails to buy the console might arrive after the launch date. However, Nintendo reassures customers that they will confirm the shipping date at the time of purchase.
“Thank you to those of you who have already registered your interest in purchasing from My Nintendo Store,” the statement from Nintendo reads. “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.”
Nintendo suggests that potential buyers might have a better chance of securing a Switch 2 on launch day by pre-ordering through third-party retailers. This advice comes in the wake of the console selling out rapidly after pre-orders opened 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 advises, directing customers to a GameStop link, though the Switch 2 is currently sold out at GameStop.
For those who prefer to wait for an invitation from My Nintendo Store, no further action is needed after registering interest.
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The challenges faced by fans trying to pre-order the Switch 2 on April 24, coupled with Nintendo's warning, suggest that obtaining the next-gen console will be difficult around its launch.
Earlier in the week, Nintendo had also warned its customers in Japan 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 applied to pre-order the Switch 2 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 on Nintendo’s website, the first batch of invitation emails for the My Nintendo Store in the U.S. will be sent starting May 8, 2025. Additional batches will be sent periodically until purchasing is opened to everyone. Initial invitation emails will be sent on a first-come, first-serve basis to eligible registrants who meet specific 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, with the original price of $449.99 and launch date of June 5 remaining unchanged. Alongside the base console, Nintendo confirmed the Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle would stay at $499.99, and the prices for both the physical and digital versions of Mario Kart World ($79.99) and Donkey Kong Bananza ($69.99) would remain the same at launch. However, amid ongoing tariff issues, Nintendo increased the prices of Switch 2 accessories.
Originally, pre-orders for the Switch 2 were planned to open on April 9, but Nintendo delayed them to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions.
For those interested in pre-ordering 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. Additionally, you can find out more about how to increase your chances of getting a new Nintendo Switch 2 console on day one.