Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders live — US to begin this week, UK restocks and latest updates

DK could be a Switch 2 system-seller

If you're weighing up whether to try and pre-order a Nintendo Switch 2 this week, then you might be looking at the upcoming software lineup to help make your decision. For our Senior Computing Writer, Tony Polanco, it was Donkey Kong Bananza that has managed to convinced him to pick up a Switch 2 at launch.

While Donkey Kong won't be swinging onto the Switch 2 on launch day, early Switch 2 adopters won't have long to wait until they can embark on Kong's first 3D adventure since 1999, as Donkey Kong Bananza is set to launch on July 17, 2025.

To me, it looks like it could be the perfectly timed release, as by mid-July, I might be getting just a little bit sick of Mario Kart. Plus, with its large open levels and destructible environments, I think Banaza could be a real Switch 2 showcase.

Don't forget your Switch 2 games

If you're planning to lock in your Switch 2 console this week, you'll also need a few games. After all, what good is a video game system without must-play software!

There's already a bunch of pre-order pages for Nintendo Switch 2 games at retailers including Walmarts with the likes of Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza (which isn't a launch title, it comes later in mid-July) set to be available to pre-order alongside the Switch 2 starting on Thursday, April 26.

Personally, I'm actually most excited about The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. I adored Tears of the Kingdom on the current Switch, but it was a title that pushed the aging hardware beyond its limits and the choppy frame rate and spiky visuals an unfortunate negative. I can't wait to dive back into the world of Hyrule on a much more powerful system.

• Donkey Kong Bananza: $69 at Walmart
• Mario Kart World: $79 at Walmart
• Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Switch 2): $79 at Walmart
• Kirby Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World: $79 at Walmart
• Street Fighter 6: $59 at Walmart

We've played the Nintendo Switch 2 (twice!)

The Switch 2 doesn't launch until June 5, but a few lucky members of the Tom's Guide team have already had the chance to go hands-on with the console. Not once, but twice. Yup, we've been to Switch 2 events on both sides of the pond.

There's a bunch we liked about the Switch 2, with the stunning display being a particular highlight. It might not be the OLED display of our dreams, but it still appears capable of some impressive images. The improved Joy-Con 2 controllers were another huge upgrade, and the software lineup is shaping up nicely.

One area that our UK EiC, Jeff Parsons, wasn't so sold on was the Switch 2's much-marketed mouse mode, which felt imprecise and not super comfortable to play.

What about Switch 2 pre-orders in the U.K.

Over in the U.K., there's been a lot of Switch 2 pre-order activity already this month. Unlike the in the U.S., there was no delay, and instead pre-orders started the day after the Nintendo Direct. Since April 3, we've seen pretty much every major retailer in the U.K. take Switch 2 pre-orders from Argos to Amazon.

Currently, these major retailers are all sold out of Switch 2 pre-orders, but we have already seen several restocks this month, with online stores such as Very, EE and John Lewis offering Switch 2 bundles that include the console and accessories. Some of these have taken several hours to sell out, a few took almost a whole day.

I'm still closely watching Switch 2 pre-orders in the U.K. and will flag any fresh stock if it goes live. It's been quiet over the last few days, but once the long Easter weekend is over, there's a chance that U.K. retailers might spring back into action.

Get yourself a discounted Switch 2 with trade-in

Let's face it, we're a long way off (maybe even years away) from seeing any sort of Nintendo Switch 2 discounts. In fact, the console is more likely to see a post-release price hike than a price cut in the months/years following its June launch.

So, if you want to save some money on your Switch 2 this summer, your best bet is going to be taking advantage of GameStop's trade-in offer, which lets you save up to $175 off a Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order.

You'll need to trade in a Switch OLED to score the biggest discount, but if you have a standard Switch, you can still get up to $125 in credit. For the Nintendo Switch Lite, it's up to $100. If you're signed up for its $25/year GameStop Pro program, you’ll get an extra 10% added to the standard Switch trade-in deal.

When will Switch 2 pre-orders begin?

So, now that we have a fresh date for Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders in the U.S., the big question is when retailers will begin taking pre-orders on Thursday, April 24.

Fortunately, a few retailers have already confirmed when they will open the pre-order floodgates. Target and Walmart are all set to take Switch 2 orders from 12 a.m. ET (aka midnight), so you might want to load up on coffee ahead of time because it could be a long night of refreshing retailer listing pages.

Meanwhile, if you value your sleep, GameStop will be taking Switch 2 pre-orders from 11 a.m. ET. The gaming retailer will also be taking in-store pre-orders, so check the opening time of your nearest GameStop location for further details.

As of yet, Best Buy hasn't confirmed when it will begin taking Switch 2 pre-orders on April 26, and curiously, Amazon hasn't even launched a Switch 2 listing page so we can't say for certain it will be stocking the console (though Amazon U.K. did take Switch 2 pre-orders already, so I expect we will see Switch 2 in the U.S. too).

But it's not all good Switch 2 news

While we were delighted to get a new Switch 2 pre-order date last week (again, that's on April 24!), and also confirmation that the console will still launch on June 5 for $449, Nintendo's announcement did come with some less welcome news.

It's been confirmed that several Switch 2 accessories will be getting a price hike to due to changes in market conditions." The increases include the Switch 2 Pro Controller jumping from $79 to $84, and a set of Joy-Con 2 also increasing by $5.

You can read the full list of accessories and their new prices down below, and also be aware that these might not be the last price hikes. Nintendo also noted, "Other adjustments to the price of any Nintendo product are also possible in the future depending on market conditions." So, further increases could happen.

• Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller - $84.99 (was $79.99)
• Joy-Con 2 Pair - $94.99 (was $89.99)
• Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip - $39.99 (was $34.99)
• Joy-Con 2 Strap - $13.99 (was $12.99)
• Joy-Con 2 Wheel Set - $24.99 (was $19.99)
• Nintendo Switch 2 Camera - $54.99 (was $49.99)
• Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Set - $119.99 (was $109.99)
• Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector - $39.99 (was $34.99)
• Nintendo Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case - $84.99 (was $79)
• Nintendo Switch 2 AC Adapter - $34.99 (was $29.99)
• Samsung microSD Express Card (256GB) - $59.99 (unchanged)

ICYMI: We have a new Switch 2 pre-order date

If you're just getting up to the speed with the Switch 2 pre-order situation right now (where have you been all month?), the console was initially supposed to be made available to reverse in the U.S on April 9, but this date was delayed unexpectedly with Nintendo citing a need to assess the impact of Trump's tariffs.

While U.S. Nintendo fans have been sweating that this delay could result in an increased launch price, or even a delay to the console's launch on June 5, last Friday (April 18), Nintendo confirmed Switch 2 pre-orders go live in the U.S. on Thursday, April 26 via a handy blog post on it's official website.

Even better, it's also been confirmed that Switch 2 won't be getting a launch day price increase (though the big-N doesn't rule out future price hikes). For now, Switch 2 is sticking to its $449 standalone price and $449 with Mario Kart game.

It's going to be a BIG week

Welcome! It's set to be a big week for Nintendo fans as the Japanese gaming giant's hotly anticipated new console, the Switch 2, will at long last be made available to pre-order in the U.S. following a delay to it's initially announced date.

In this live blog, I'll be on hand to track all the latest pre-order listings and bring you any breaking Switch 2 news as well. I'll even be sharing some of my top tips to help you lock in your new console when the pre-order event begins on April 26.

Plus for those in the U.K., I'm keeping a close eye out for any restocks of the Switch 2 across major retailers. Just in case you missed the boat earlier this month.