GameStop confirmed that its first batch of Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders will start on Thursday, April 24, at 11:00 AM Eastern, once stores open for the day. Along with online Switch 2 pre-orders via its website, GameStop confirmed it will also take in-person orders at stores nationwide at the same time, while supplies last.
After revealing the Switch 2’s price and release date during the April 2 Nintendo Direct episode, Nintendo subsequently delayed pre-orders of its upcoming system in the US and Canada in the wake of the Trump administration’s tariffs on various goods from nations like China and Vietnam. Over two weeks later, Nintendo confirmed that the MSRP for Switch 2 games and consoles would not change, though accessories saw a slight price increase to compensate. Nintendo also confirmed that pre-orders will begin in the US and Canada on Thursday, April 24, via retailers like GameStop, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy. The My Nintendo Store will take pre-orders via an email lottery starting on May 8.
Although other retailers like Target will have Switch 2 pre-orders beginning at midnight Eastern time, Nintendo fans will have another opportunity through GameStop. According to social media posts, GameStop will begin taking pre-orders for Switch 2 consoles and accessories on Thursday, April 24, at 11:00 AM Eastern (8:00 AM Pacific). This time lines up with the retailer’s stores open for the day.
Along with online pre-orders via GameStop’s website, the retailer will also take pre-orders in person at participating stores, while supplies last. GameStop also confirmed that it will hold a traditional midnight launch of the Switch 2, which will take place at all participating locations on Thursday, June 5, at midnight Eastern (Wednesday, June 4, at 9:00 PM Pacific).
During the Switch 2’s launch window, GameStop will offer a “Transfer and Trade” program to customers looking to trade in their original Switch console to get a Switch 2 at a discounted price. At the time of writing, trade-in offers on Switch consoles range from $90 to $121. Should customers take this deal, GameStop will also give them time to transfer save data from games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons to their new Switch 2 system before turning in the older unit and other required items. Though the program is subject to change, more details about GameStop’s Transfer and Trade for the Switch 2 will be posted closer to launch.
Headlined by launch titles such as Mario Kart World, the Switch 2 will be a hot commodity for shoppers in 2025. Only time will tell how GameStop will handle the pre-order rush from customers.