Nintendo Switch 2 is here. What to know about Thursday's release
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A Nintendo Switch 2 at a Nintendo store ahead of the console's release. It's Nintendo's first new gaming system in eight years. Photo: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Nintendo Switch 2 arrives Thursday with Best Buy and GameStop holding midnight release events for pre-order pickups and limited inventory.
Why it matters: The highly anticipated gaming console is expected to be in short supply globally.
Flashback: Nintendo announced the Switch 2 price and launch date on April 2, the same day President Trump unveiled sweeping tariffs.
- That led Nintendo to pause the start of U.S. preorders to examine the impact of the tariffs.
- U.S. preorders quickly sold out on April 24.
Switch 2 release
The big picture: The Switch 2 officially launches on Thursday, June 5.
- It has a 7.9-inch built-in LCD screen that displays in full HD at 1080p and maintains the same thickness of the original Switch, Nintendo said.
Nintendo Switch 2 prices
Zoom in: The Switch 2 has a suggested retail price of $449.99. The original Switch launched in 2017 at $299.
- The Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle costs $499.99 and Mario Kart World is $79.99. Donkey Kong Bananza is $69.99.
Yes, but: Switch 2 accessories increased from what Nintendo announced on April 2 "due to changes in market conditions."
- "Other adjustments to the price of any Nintendo product are also possible in the future depending on market conditions," the company said.
Best Buy Switch 2 midnight release
Most U.S. Best Buy stores will open at 12:01am ET Thursday for pre-order pickup and walk-in purchases. Stores will be open for two hours.
- "We anticipate that customers will line up early for a chance to get a system," Best Buy said on its website, adding there will be two lines, one for pre-orders and "one for limited quantities of inventory for sale."
- Best Buy said its Nintendo Switch 2 hardware inventory will be in stores only during launch week.
GameStop Switch 2 launch event, midnight release
GameStop's Switch 2 in-store launch event began at 3pm local time Wednesday and pickups being 12am EST Thursday or 9pm PST Wednesday.
- "Additional Switch 2 units will be available in-store and online at launch while supplies last," the retailer said on Instagram.
Target Switch 2 launch Thursday with tickets
Target says the Nintendo Switch 2 and the Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle will be available in Target stores Thursday and then will be available on its app and website Friday.
- Target says shoppers "can begin lining up in the designated queuing location at the entrance of each Target store before stores open on Thursday, June 5."
- Store employees will distribute physical or digital tickets, which will reserve products for purchase.
Walmart Nintendo Switch 2 orders
Walmart said in a post on X that sales of Nintendo Switch 2 start Thursday at midnight ET online and in "Supercenters across PST/MST/Hawaii/Alaska."
- Supercenters in Central and Eastern time CT/ET and all Walmart stores open 6am local time Thursday.
- There are limited quantities and inventory will vary by location, Walmart said.
Costco Nintendo Switch 2
Costco says on its website that a Mario Kart World Bundle will be available to purchase Thursday.
- The website notes there's a limit of one transaction per membership with a maximum of one unit per seven days.
Staples to sell Nintendo Switch 2 at select stores
Staples says on its website that "inventory arrival dates will vary by location, and availability is not guaranteed on a specific date."
- Availability is first-come, first-served and there's a limit of one.
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