In context: Nintendo has set a brand new date for Swap 2 pre-orders: April 24. The corporate initially promised pre-orders would start on April 9 however backtracked simply days earlier than, citing ongoing tariff uncertainty as the explanation for the delay. With these commerce considerations seemingly resolved or at the least accounted for, Nintendo is giving it one other shot.
The Swap 2 will nonetheless launch on June 5, that includes upgraded internals, improved Pleasure-Con controllers with magnetic snap-on rails, and backward compatibility for many digital Swap video games. Nintendo has been comparatively open concerning the {hardware}. Nevertheless, its wishy-washy strategy to pre-orders has brought about confusion and hypothesis, significantly concerning its worth.
When the corporate postponed the April 9 date, it issued a quick assertion that blamed “evolving international commerce circumstances” and promised updates quickly. That led to conjecture that Nintendo may be ready for readability on U.S. import tariffs – particularly for the reason that new console, like its predecessor, is manufactured in China, which faces the stiffest tariffs. Just a few analysts predicted Nintendo would delay the pre-order window by weeks and even months. So, the corporate’s new April 24 timeline is extra optimistic than many anticipated.
Pre-orders might be accessible from Nintendo immediately and thru Amazon, Walmart, GameStop, Greatest Purchase, and Goal. Nintendo will provide two SKUs: a $450 standalone Swap 2 and a $500 bundle that features Mario Kart World. That hasn’t modified. What has modified are the costs of some first-party equipment, together with the Professional Controller, Pleasure-Con units, and the charging dock, which now price barely greater than their unique announcement. A whole breakdown of merchandise and pricing is on the market on Nintendo’s web site.
With simply six weeks left earlier than launch, the brand new pre-order window offers patrons much less time to safe a console – however it may additionally assist Nintendo restrict scalping. Scalping has been a hot-button subject for all main consoles. The unique Swap was unavailable for over a yr due to it. This time, Nintendo has closely restricted pre-orders by its storefront.
Prospects who wish to purchase immediately from Nintendo have to be at the least 18, check in with a Nintendo account, and register their curiosity earlier than pre-orders open on April 24 – a queue for the queue, so to talk. Whereas Nintendo says it should prioritize orders on a first-come, first-served foundation, further eligibility guidelines apply.
“Registrants who’ve bought a Nintendo Swap On-line membership with a minimal of 12 months of paid membership and a minimal of fifty whole gameplay hours, as of April 2, 2025,” will obtain the best precedence, the corporate says.
Qualifying clients will get e-mail invites legitimate for simply 72 hours. In impact, Nintendo is providing first dibs to its most devoted followers, however has put it behind a Swap On-line subscription paywall. Informal patrons could have higher luck with different retailers.
Since scalpers can and do nonetheless record assured pre-order slots on eBay for double or extra retail costs, brushing up on methods to beat them may be sensible. Take a look at how I landed a PlayStation 5 throughout peak demand – as a result of these pre-orders will go quick.
