US Nintendo Warns of Switch 2 Stock Shortage

Nintendo has now delivered the inevitable warning to its U.S. fans regarding release-day delivery for the Switch 2, following its statement about struggling to meet demand in Japan.

The company published an update on its website cautioning those who registered interest in buying the Switch 2 from the My Nintendo Store, stating that delivery by the June 5 release date cannot be guaranteed.

As a result, invitation emails might arrive after the Switch 2 is already available. Nintendo did note, however, that your specific shipping date will be confirmed once you complete your purchase.

“Thank you to those of you who have already registered your interest in purchasing from My Nintendo Store,” read Nintendo’s statement.

“We're thrilled by the enthusiasm for Nintendo Switch 2! Due to the extremely high demand, we will be working diligently to fulfill orders as stock 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.”

Nintendo is now suggesting that you might have a better chance of securing a Switch 2 at launch if you pre-order through a third-party retailer — a concerning suggestion given the console has already sold out after pre-orders went live overnight.

“If you wish to increase your opportunity of obtaining a Nintendo Switch 2 system at launch, please visit our participating retail partners above,” the statement said, directing users to a GameStop link (where the Switch 2 is currently sold out).

“If you wish to continue waiting for your invitation from My Nintendo Store, no further action is required after registering your interest.”

Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery

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The difficulty fans experienced trying to pre-order the Switch 2 on April 24, combined with this official warning, indicates that the next-generation console will be very difficult to purchase around its launch.

Earlier this week, Nintendo issued a caution to customers in Japan, saying a “significant” number of people would be unable to pre-order the Switch 2 directly from the company.

In a statement posted on X / Twitter, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa said the company had received 2.2 million pre-order applications in Japan alone for the Switch 2 via the My Nintendo Store. This "extremely large number of applications… far exceeds our expectations, and far exceeds the number of Nintendo Switch 2 consoles that can be delivered from the My Nintendo Store on June 5," Furukawa explained.

According to an FAQ on Nintendo’s website, the first batch of invitations for the U.S. My Nintendo Store will begin on May 8, 2025. Subsequent batches of invitation emails will then be sent “periodically” until purchasing on the My Nintendo Store is available to everyone.

Initial invitations will be sent on a first-come, first-served basis to “eligible registrants who meet the priority criteria.” Recipients will then have 72 hours from when the email is sent to finalize their purchase.

Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Order Invitation Priority Requirements:

You must have been the original purchaser of any Nintendo Switch Online membership, you must have maintained a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership for a minimum of 12 months, and you must have opted in to share gameplay data with at least 50 total hours of gameplay.

Which Nintendo Switch 2 Game Are You Most Excited For?

The DuskbloodsDonkey Kong: BananzaMario Kart WorldHollow Knight: Silksong

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Last week, Nintendo confirmed that Switch 2 pre-orders would open in the U.S. on April 24, 2025, and that the original $449.99 price and June 5 launch date remain unchanged. Alongside the base console price holding steady, Nintendo confirmed the Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle would stay at $499.99, and pricing for both physical and digital versions of Mario Kart World ($79.99) and Donkey Kong Bananza ($69.99) would not change at launch. However, Nintendo has increased the price of Switch 2 accessories amid ongoing tariff disruptions.

Nintendo had originally planned to start Switch 2 pre-orders on April 9, but it decided to postpone them to assess the "potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions."

If you're hoping to pre-order a Nintendo Switch 2, a GameCube controller, or other accessories and games, be sure to check our Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide, which is continuously updated with the latest news. You can also find out more about how to improve your chances of getting a new Nintendo Switch 2 console on launch day.