Nintendo Warns U.S. Customers: Switch 2 Delivery Not Guaranteed Due to High Demand

Nintendo has issued a crucial warning to its U.S. fans regarding the highly anticipated release of the Nintendo Switch 2. Following similar concerns raised in Japan, Nintendo announced on its website that it may struggle to meet the demand for the console on its release date, set for June 5. Those who registered their interest in purchasing a Switch 2 from the My Nintendo Store have been informed that delivery by the launch date cannot be guaranteed. Consequently, invitation emails for purchasing the console might arrive after the Switch 2 has already hit the market. However, Nintendo assures customers that they will confirm the shipping date upon purchase.

Nintendo expressed gratitude towards fans for their enthusiasm, 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."

In light of these challenges, Nintendo suggests that fans might have a better chance of securing a Switch 2 at launch by pre-ordering through third-party retailers. However, this advice comes at a time when pre-orders have already sold out at several major retailers, such as GameStop, following the opening of pre-orders on April 24. Nintendo encourages fans to visit participating retail partners to increase their chances of obtaining a console at launch, while those who wish to wait for an invitation from My Nintendo Store need take no further action after registering their interest.

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The difficulty experienced by fans trying to pre-order the Switch 2 on April 24, coupled with Nintendo's warning, indicates that obtaining the next-gen console will be challenging at least around its launch date. Earlier in the week, Nintendo also warned its Japanese customers that a significant number would miss out on pre-ordering directly from the company. In a statement on X / Twitter, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa revealed that 2.2 million people in Japan alone had applied for a pre-order through the My Nintendo Store, far exceeding the company's expectations and the available stock for the June 5 release.

According to an FAQ on Nintendo’s website, the first batch of invitation emails for the My Nintendo Store in the U.S. will start going out on May 8, 2025, with additional batches sent periodically until purchasing is open to everyone. These initial emails will be sent on a first-come, first-serve basis to eligible registrants who meet specific priority criteria. Invitees will have 72 hours from the time the email is sent to complete their purchase.

To be eligible for priority invitation, customers must meet the following criteria:

• Have purchased any 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 accumulated 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, maintaining the original price of $449.99 and the launch date of June 5. Additionally, the Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle will remain priced at $499.99, with no changes to the prices of the physical and digital versions of Mario Kart World ($79.99) and Donkey Kong Bananza ($69.99) at launch. However, amidst ongoing tariff issues, Nintendo has increased the prices of Switch 2 accessories.

Originally, Nintendo planned to open pre-orders for the Switch 2 on April 9, but delayed them to assess the potential impact of tariffs and market conditions. For those eager to pre-order a Nintendo Switch 2, GameCube controller, or other accessories and games, staying updated with our Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide is recommended. Additionally, you can find out more about how to increase your chances of securing a new Nintendo Switch 2 console on launch day.