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

The eagerly awaited Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch on June 5, but fans in the U.S. should brace themselves for potential delays. Nintendo has issued a warning that it might struggle to meet the demand, similar to the challenges it faced in Japan. On their official website, Nintendo announced that those who registered their interest in purchasing the Switch 2 through the My Nintendo Store may not receive their console on release day. Invitation emails for purchase could arrive after the console's launch, although shipping dates will be confirmed upon purchase.

Nintendo expressed gratitude for the overwhelming enthusiasm and stated, "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."

For those eager to secure a Switch 2 at launch, Nintendo recommends pre-ordering from third-party retailers. However, this advice comes at a time when pre-orders have already sold out at many outlets, including GameStop. Nintendo's statement suggests that those willing to wait for an invitation from My Nintendo Store need take no further action after registering their interest.

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The difficulty in securing a pre-order for the Switch 2, which began on April 24, coupled with Nintendo's warning, indicates that obtaining the next-gen console around its launch date will be challenging. Earlier in the week, Nintendo's president, Shuntaro Furukawa, highlighted the significant demand in Japan, where 2.2 million people applied for a pre-order through the My Nintendo Store. Furukawa noted that this number far exceeded the company's expectations and the available stock for the launch.

According to an FAQ on Nintendo’s website, the first batch of invitations for the My Nintendo Store in the U.S. will be sent starting May 8, 2025. Additional invitations will follow periodically until the purchasing process is open to everyone. These initial invitations 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 receipt of the email to complete their purchase.

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

• You must have purchased a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
• You must have maintained a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership for at least 12 months.
• You must 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 start on April 24, 2025, maintaining the original price of $449.99 and the launch date of June 5. The Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle will remain priced at $499.99, with no changes to the pricing of Mario Kart World ($79.99) and Donkey Kong Bananza ($69.99) at launch. However, due to ongoing tariff issues, the prices of Switch 2 accessories have been increased.

Originally, Nintendo planned to open pre-orders on April 9 but delayed them to assess the impact of tariffs and market conditions. For the latest updates on pre-orders and tips on increasing your chances of securing a Nintendo Switch 2 on launch day, keep an eye on our Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide.