You can pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2 from most major gaming and electronics retailers, plus Nintendo itself in some regions, but availability and timing depend heavily on your country and on current stock.

Main places to pre-order Switch 2 (US-focused)

As of the 2025–2026 launch window, these are the core retailers repeatedly used for Switch 2 pre-orders in the U.S.

  • Walmart – Offered console-only and Mario Kart World bundle online with midnight pre-order waves and later restocks.
  • Target – Online pre-orders, plus in‑store launch‑day queues with ticket systems at many locations.
  • Best Buy – Online pre-orders for both the base console and bundles; often part of the same midnight wave as Walmart/Target.
  • GameStop – Online and in‑store pre-orders; some stores took physical lines with limited allocations.
  • Nintendo.com (direct) – Limited direct pre-orders or restocks, sometimes restricted to Nintendo Switch Online members and specific dates.

Additional or secondary options (often bundles or limited stock):

  • Sam’s Club, Costco, BJ’s Wholesale – Usually bundle-focused (console + game + membership perks), sometimes members‑only, often online plus select in‑store drops.
  • Newegg, antonline, Staples, Meijer, Fred Meyer – Region‑ or chain‑specific availability; some are online only, some are in‑store only with “first‑come, first‑served” rules.
  • Amazon – Frequently carries accessories and third‑party listings; first‑party Switch 2 console listings have been inconsistent or delayed compared with other retailers.

Typical MSRP for the base Switch 2 in the U.S. has been around $449.99 , with bundles (such as a Mario Kart World pack) priced higher.

How to actually secure a pre-order

Because Switch 2 pre-orders have sold out quickly at multiple retailers, you usually need to combine online prep with a backup in-store plan.

1. Online strategy

  • Create / log into accounts in advance for Walmart, Target, Best Buy, GameStop, and Nintendo, with payment and shipping saved.
  • Know the common drop times : many retailers have used midnight Eastern for online pre-order waves (e.g., Walmart/Target/Best Buy) and late‑morning Eastern for GameStop.
  • Use multiple devices and browsers so you can refresh product pages in parallel when the window opens.
  • Aim for bundles if you’re desperate – they sometimes stay in stock longer than console‑only listings.

Example: One popular pre‑order guide recommended being online a few minutes before midnight Eastern on pre‑order night with all retailer tabs open (Walmart, Target, Best Buy, GameStop) and refreshing on the exact clock change to catch stock before bots and scalpers exhaust it.

2. In‑store strategy

  • GameStop : Many locations have offered a separate in‑store allocation; people have queued 1–2 hours before opening to secure a ticket or spot.
  • Target : Some launches have used a ticket system at opening time, where staff hand out numbered tickets to people in line and then escort them to electronics for pre-orders or same‑day purchases.
  • Staples, Meijer, Fred Meyer and others : Often first‑come, first‑served with no online pre-order, so arriving early is key; chains sometimes publish store lists or confirm participation in advance.

One community guide suggests visiting or calling local stores the day before a big pre-order phase to confirm whether they are participating and how many units they expect, then choosing the store with the best odds instead of guessing on launch morning.

Region and timing caveats

  • Country differences : The retailers above are mostly U.S. specific; in Europe and other regions, you’ll rely more on local chains (e.g., GAME, MediaMarkt, fnac) and Nintendo’s regional store, but the same principles (major retailers + early queues) apply.
  • Stock waves : Even after initial pre-orders sell out, retailers tend to do restock waves online and small in‑store allocations leading up to launch day and shortly after.
  • Bundles and accessories : Some stores prioritize bundles, raising the up‑front cost but increasing your chances to actually secure hardware.

If you tell me your country or region, I can narrow this down to the specific sites and chains most likely to offer Switch 2 pre-orders where you live.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.

TL;DR: If you’re asking “where to pre order Switch 2,” start with Walmart, Target, Best Buy, GameStop, and Nintendo’s official store online, and treat GameStop/Target (plus warehouse clubs like Costco/Sam’s) as strong in‑store backups on pre-order and launch days.