Where to Get a Switch 2 on Launch Day

The post Where to Get a Switch 2 on Launch Day appeared first on Cheat Code Central.

It’s here! After what seems like an unusually long wait for Nintendo to reveal its next generation of hardware, the iconic company officially announced the Switch 2 back in April at its Nintendo Direct presentation focused specifically on the console and its software, complete with the reveal that players worldwide could get their hands on it on June 5, 2025. But thanks to economic uncertainty and instability in the US due to retaliatory tariffs, the pre-order for Switch 2 was delayed, with North American consumers having to wait three weeks after the rest of the world to try and secure a unit.

Thankfully, even if you missed out on getting a pre-order for the Switch 2, there are still plenty of brick-and-mortar locations nationwide that surprisingly have a fair amount of systems in stock, and we have some tips on how to secure yourself a console for pick-up on launch day. Obviously, availability will vary based on your location, but most major retailers seem to have standard Switch 2 units in stock, with the Mario Kart World bundle being slightly harder to come by.

Check Retailer Apps and Websites for In-Stock Notifications

This almost goes without saying, but the availability of stock information on most major retailers’ websites and phone apps has eliminated the need to physically visit locations in hopes of picking up hard-to-find items. Getting ahold of a Switch 2 on launch day may seem futile (especially if you happened to miss out on pre-orders or were unable to secure one during the hectic pre-order window), but it’s worth pointing out that, if you check the apps or sites of the big box retailers today, you’ll see that many in your area will have Switch 2 systems in-stock. However, it’s worth noting that, in most cases, retailers have a higher stock of the standard Switch 2 system and are currently sold out of the bundle that includes Mario Kart World pre-installed on the console.

While I was able to secure a pre-order for a Switch 2 that shipped in time to arrive on launch day, I still ran a search earlier today on Target’s app and website to see which stores in my area have Switch 2 consoles in stock. To my surprise, there were plenty of locations nearby that have reliable stock of the standard Switch 2 console, with some stores further away even having limited availability of the Mario Kart World bundle.

Equally as surprising is seeing that many major retailers have full displays of all the peripherals and launch games for the Switch 2, meaning it’s possible to pick up everything you’d want for the console’s launch if you’re willing and ready to visit more than one location. If you’re dead-set on picking up a Switch 2 on launch day, pull up a search on your phone or computer for nearby retailers and make a plan of attack before making the trip.

Avoid Resorting to Secondary Markets For Now

We’re already seeing plenty of Switch 2 consoles go live on secondary marketplaces like eBay and Facebook Marketplace, and these should be a last-resort option. Considering how readily available the standard Switch 2 console is from many major retailers in heavily populated areas, picking up a console from the secondary market at an inflated price is simply unnecessary. In the photo above, we see that an on-hand Switch 2 bundle with Mario Kart World is being sold for $700, a roughly 35% markup from the retail price. Again, with stock available in-person at brick-and-mortar locations of many major retailers, paying an inflated price for the Switch 2 doesn’t seem right (or fair).

That said, some consumers who are eagerly anticipating a Switch 2 console, and who may have missed out on pre-orders, may not have any stores nearby with units in stock. In those cases, if you absolutely must have a Switch 2 console on launch day, you may wish to resort to secondary marketplaces, but you’ll still have to wait for the item to ship and hope that it arrives in satisfactory condition — something that is entirely up to the quality and trustworthiness of the seller. By the time a secondary market-purchased Switch 2 arrives, there may even be consoles available for you to pick up nearby at official retailers, and for retail MSRP.

Retailers With Known Stock

As of the time of writing, most of the major retailers in the US have varying degrees of stock of both the standard Switch 2 and the Switch 2 bundle with Mario Kart World. We strongly suggest checking these locations first, as they’re the most likely candidates to have systems on hand for launch day.

• Target
• Walmart
• Best Buy
• Game Stop

But even beyond the “big box” retail chains, there are several mom-and-pop, locally-owned game shops that may have stock of both SKUs of the Switch 2. Again, check these places before resorting to trying to pick up a console on the secondary market. Not only will you be paying a non-inflated retail price for the Switch 2, but you could also be helping support small businesses.

Availability of the standard Switch 2 and the Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle will vary depending on your location. But as of the time of writing, all the major retail chains listed above have some stock at various locations in major metropolitan areas. For my area (metropolitan Atlanta), Walmart’s website is showing that nearby stock has depleted since this morning, but Target, GameStop, and Best Buy all have locations with systems in stock. Again, make sure to check these retailers’ apps and websites before heading out to physical locations to verify stock.

Where to Order Online

So, what are your options if you can’t make it to a store or prefer to order online? Unfortunately, online supply is far more limited than making the trip to pick up a Switch 2 console in store. The major big box retail chains in the US are each showing “Out of Stock” notifications for both versions of the Switch 2, meaning you’ll need to wait for them to refresh their online stock before being able to place an order. Amazon is also currently not showing any listings for the Switch 2. But the one place you can still place an order for a Switch 2 (or at least get on a waiting list) is with Nintendo.

Visiting the Nintendo website provides a few limited options to try and purchase a Switch 2. Clicking the “How to Buy” link on the product landing page will take you to a listing with outbound links for the various major retail chains carrying the Switch 2 console, but there’s another option. By hovering over the “Shop” icon at the top of the page and selecting “Hardware”, you’ll arrive at a page where you can purchase a Switch 2 console directly from Nintendo. However, you’ll need to have pre-registered for an invite via email.

Do note, though, that the current spotty availability of the Switch 2 in the US will be temporary. It may be easier to physically pick up a Switch 2 console in person now, but in a week or two, stores will have replenished their stock and be able to ship consoles purchased online. If you absolutely must get a Switch 2 on launch day, making an in-person purchase is your best and most reliable option, but that should turn around fairly quickly.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Switch 2 hardware display.

The post Where to Get a Switch 2 on Launch Day appeared first on Cheat Code Central.