The Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date is a toss up, but be prepared at this time
Don't reset your alarm clock for April 9 just yet. Be prepared to pre-order on April 9 at 10am ET, as that's the first time you may be able to reserve the console.
Updated: We finally know the Nintendo Switch 2 price and Nintendo Switch 2 release date, it will release on June 5 for $449.
The Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date and time could still be Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 10am ET, and you should go into next week thinking that just in case. There are still reasons to believe that retailers in the US may open up reservations then.
But today, there’s new speculation that the Nintendo console will launch on April 9, reports Insider Gaming citing (but not showing) the evidence from internal emails and documents. The alleged proof is said to be from a “large US retailer.”
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Why April 2 for Nintendo Switch 2 is still likely
This Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order news contradicts the April 2 date that Best Buy briefly confirmed yesterday through a premature posting on its Canadian website. The leaked corporate blog post was pulled within one hour. You may be scratching your head about how best to prepare for the pre-order before Switch 2 sells out.
So far, the April 2 leak from Best Buy is the only truly public evidence from a retailer in the United States.
So far, the April 2 leak from Best Buy is the only truly public evidence from a retailer in the United States. And because that date happens first and the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct video presentation is one hour before the expected pre-order time of 10am ET, you should set your Nintendo Alarmo clock for then. If it’s one week later, on April 9, you’ll just have a bit of déjà vu but at least have a chance to prepare again.
When the original Nintendo Switch console launched in 2017, pre-orders went live almost immediately after a January presentation at retail locations across the US. So, precedent says that you should still be prepared for the Nintendo Switch 2 on April 2.
Before or after the Nintendo Switch 2 hands-on?
Finally, Nintendo will be hosting a Nintendo Switch 2 hands-on event in New York City starting April 4. The press may be getting their hands on the console just after the Nintendo Direct reveal, likely on on April 2 and April 3.
That’s pretty typical of the tech companies we report on, from Apple to Microsoft: an official announcement, press analysis, and public reaction scattered across a week. And usually, video game and tech companies like to ensure pre-orders go live before any media analysis tells them to buy or not buy a product.
Wrap-up: the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date
So there you have it. Be prepared for both April 2 at 10am ET, and, just in case, the new date that’s being floated out there: April 9. If you only prepare for April 9 and it happens to be April 9, you can’t go back in time.
But there are multiple reasons to believe that April 2 is still the go-to date:
The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct video presentation is on April 2, 2025
The original Nintendo Switch launched immediately after a similar presentation
A Best Buy blog post confirmed (but was then pulled) info on the April 2 date
Tech companies usually favor starting pre-orders before hands-on events and media analysis
Whether or not the Switch 2 pre-order happens on April 2 remains to be seen. But we’re guaranteed to see other Nintendo Switch 2 launch games besides Mario Kart 9 next week. Stay tuned for frequent Nintendo Switch 2 updates as the pre-order nears.
