How To Get Your Hands On A Nintendo Switch 2: Launch Day Details Revealed.
The Nintendo Switch 2 has officially launched, and if you missed the pre-order rush, there’s still hope. Retailers across the U.S. are hosting midnight openings, early-morning promotions, and limited in-store stock for eager fans hoping to grab one on release day.
Where to Buy the Nintendo Switch 2 on Launch Day
Best Buy:
Best Buy hosted a midnight release event, with doors opening at 12:01 a.m. ET (11:01 p.m. CT, 10:01 p.m. MT, 9:01 p.m. PT). Some lucky customers even walked away with commemorative coins. While the console itself won’t be available online, games and accessories are. If you pre-ordered, you’ve already chosen either delivery or in-store pickup. My Best Buy Plus and Total members get an added perk—$20 in rewards for every $150 spent on Nintendo gear, up to $100.
GameStop:
GameStop opened its doors early on June 4 at 3 p.m. local time, with pre-order pickups starting at 9 p.m. PT / 12 a.m. ET. Didn’t pre-order? Don’t worry—select stores have walk-in stock at midnight. The available bundle includes the Switch 2 console, Mario Kart World, a Joy-Con 2 grip, steering wheel, and a 25GB microSD card for $624.96. GameStop Pro members also scored a free can of Red Bull while waiting (limit one per person). A trade-in promotion offered 40% extra credit on games traded toward Switch 2 gear through May 31.
Target:
No midnight madness here—Target opens at 8 a.m. local time on June 5. Staff will distribute digital and physical tickets to early line-goers, reserving consoles for those who get one. Ticketing ends when supply runs out or 10 minutes before opening, whichever comes first. Online stock won’t be available on launch day, but Target plans to restock online on Friday, June 6.
Walmart:
Walmart skipped a midnight event, but most locations open at 6 a.m. local time on June 5. Stock levels vary, so calling ahead is smart. Online listings still show “Coming soon,” hinting at a potential timed online drop. Walmart says pre-orders will be delivered by 9 a.m. local time—provided your order wasn’t affected by recent system cancellations.
Sam’s Club:
Sam’s Club members can try to snag the Mario Kart World Switch 2 bundle in-store on launch day, though stock varies by location. Stores open at 8 a.m. for Plus members and 10 a.m. for all other members. Quantities are unknown, so arriving early is advised.
Costco:
Costco’s launch-day bundle includes the Switch 2, Mario Kart World, and a 12-month Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. Availability depends on the warehouse, so calling ahead is recommended. A listing marked “Coming soon” on Costco’s website suggests a potential online drop, but nothing is guaranteed.
Pre-Ordering from Nintendo Directly
Nintendo opened its own pre-orders on May 8 through an invite-only system. To be eligible, you must have an active 12-month Switch Online membership and at least 50 hours of gameplay linked to your account. Invitations are still being sent out but are rare. If selected, you can head straight to checkout—if stock remains.
Where Pre-Orders Currently Stand (as of June 5):
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Best Buy: In stock when stores open
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Target: In stock when stores open
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GameStop: One large bundle, available in-store
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Walmart: In-store only; online out of stock as of April 24
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Nintendo: Invitation-only
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Sam’s Club: Out of stock
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Amazon: Out of stock
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Costco: Out of stock
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Newegg: Out of stock
With midnight launches, early store openings, exclusive bundles, and limited walk-in stock, there are still plenty of opportunities to get your hands on a Nintendo Switch 2—if you act fast. I can’t wait to get my hands on one!
