Nintendo Switch 2 Preorders Face Store Restrictions to Combat Scalpers

The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch on June 5, 2025, and it's expected to be a highly sought-after product. To ensure that genuine Nintendo fans can secure their pre-orders, Nintendo is introducing special pre-order measures on the official My Nintendo Store. If you have a Nintendo Account, you can express your interest in pre-ordering the Nintendo Switch 2 system along with "select accessories." Once your turn arrives, you'll receive an invitation email that's valid for 72 hours. However, there's a condition: you must have spent time playing on your existing Switch and be a member of Nintendo Switch Online.

According to the site's fine print, "Invitation emails will be prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis to registrants who have purchased a Nintendo Switch Online membership with a minimum of 12 months of paid membership and a minimum of 50 total gameplay hours, as of April 2, 2025." These invitations are "non-transferable" and will be sent to the email addresses linked to the Nintendo Account that registered interest. Additionally, there's a one-per-account limit for both the system and each accessory during the invitation period. You can choose between a base Nintendo Switch 2 system or one bundled with Mario Kart World.

Once you've placed your order, it will be shipped post-purchase, and you'll be provided with an approximate shipping date at the time of ordering. Nintendo emphasizes that "release-day delivery is not guaranteed due to processing and shipment times." These measures seem designed to ensure that those who pre-order a Switch 2 are doing so for personal use, rather than for resale.

Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 Console Slideshow

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Scalping has been a significant issue with the release of popular products, as seen with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, as well as the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Valve successfully managed this problem with the Steam Deck by using a queue system that linked purchases to Steam accounts and checked account creation dates. It's clear that Nintendo is adopting a similar strategy with the My Nintendo Store process.

While there will be other avenues to purchase a Switch 2, these pre-order measures aim to help long-time Switch 1 owners secure a launch day pre-order without facing the chaos often associated with high-demand product launches.