Nintendo Warns U.S. Customers: Switch 2 Release Date Delivery 'Not Guaranteed' Amid High Demand

Nintendo has issued a warning to U.S. fans eagerly awaiting the release of the Switch 2, following a similar announcement in Japan about struggling to meet demand. The company updated its website, informing those who registered their interest in purchasing a Switch 2 from My Nintendo Store that delivery by the June 5 release date cannot be guaranteed. As a result, invitation emails to purchase the console may arrive after the launch date, though Nintendo will confirm shipping dates upon purchase.

Nintendo expressed gratitude to those who have already shown interest, stating, “Thank you to those of you who have already registered your interest in purchasing from My Nintendo Store. We're thrilled by the enthusiasm for Nintendo Switch 2! Due to the very high demand, we will be working diligently to fulfill orders as product becomes available, but delivery by June 5 is not guaranteed. Your invitation email may arrive after the Nintendo Switch 2 launch. We'll confirm your shipping date upon purchase.”

To increase the chances of securing a Switch 2 at launch, Nintendo suggests pre-ordering from third-party retailers. However, this advice comes at a time when Switch 2 pre-orders have already sold out at retailers like GameStop. Nintendo's statement directed fans to visit participating retail partners, specifically mentioning GameStop, though the console is currently unavailable there.

For those willing to wait, no further action is needed after registering interest with My Nintendo Store. The difficulty fans faced when trying to pre-order on April 24, combined with Nintendo's warning, indicates that the Switch 2 will be challenging to obtain around its launch date.

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Earlier this week, Nintendo warned its Japanese customers that a significant number would miss out on pre-ordering directly from the company. Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa revealed on X / Twitter that 2.2 million people in Japan applied for a Switch 2 pre-order from the My Nintendo Store, exceeding the company's expectations and the number of consoles available for delivery on June 5.

According to an FAQ on Nintendo’s website, the first batch of invitations for the U.S. My Nintendo Store will be sent out starting May 8, 2025. Additional batches will follow periodically until purchasing is open to everyone. These initial invitations will be sent on a first-come, first-serve basis to eligible registrants meeting specific priority criteria. Invitees will have 72 hours to complete their purchase after receiving the email.

To be eligible for priority pre-order invitations, customers must meet the following criteria:

• Have purchased a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
• Have maintained a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership for at least 12 months.
• Have opted in to share gameplay data and have logged at least 50 hours of total gameplay.

Last week, Nintendo confirmed that Switch 2 pre-orders would begin in the U.S. on April 24, 2025, with the console's original price of $449.99 and launch date of June 5 remaining unchanged. The Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle will stay at $499.99, and the prices for both physical and digital versions of Mario Kart World ($79.99) and Donkey Kong Bananza ($69.99) will not change at launch. However, Nintendo has increased the prices of Switch 2 accessories due to ongoing tariff issues.

Originally, pre-orders were set to open on April 9, but Nintendo delayed them to assess the impact of tariffs and market conditions. For those looking to pre-order the Switch 2, GameCube controllers, or other accessories and games, it's advisable to follow our Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide, which will be regularly updated with the latest news and information. Additionally, learn more about how to increase your chances of getting a new Nintendo Switch 2 console on day one.