Today’s Nintendo Direct presentation, which focused on the Switch 2, revealed when and how fans can get their hands on the new console. After a lengthy wait, pre-orders for the Switch 2 will commence on April 9. The console’s starting price is $450, and it will be widely available on June 5. The device will be sold by major retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, and Walmart, among others.

The $450 price point is for the Switch 2 console alone, but Nintendo will also offer a bundle that includes the Switch 2 and a copy of the new Mario Kart World game, a Switch 2 exclusive, for $500.

There are some conditions to be aware of when pre-ordering directly from Nintendo. According to the pre-order page on Nintendo’s website, you must be at least 18 years old, sign in with your Nintendo account, and register your interest in pre-ordering. You will then receive an invitation email when it’s time to place your pre-order, and the invitation will be valid for 72 hours. Additionally, “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.” This implies that those who have recently paid for Switch Online and have spent a significant amount of time playing Switch games will get priority access to buying a Switch 2. It is unclear whether these restrictions will apply to pre-orders from third-party retailers.

From the teaser trailer for the Switch 2, we knew that Nintendo’s new hardware would be larger and feature a new approach to the detachable Joy-Cons. The new Joy-Con 2 have a new C button, mouse controls, and a built-in gyroscope for tilt control. The console has a built-in mic to support a new feature called Game Chat that allows in-game communication with friends. The device has a 7.9-inch LCD screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR, and 1080p resolution.

When docked, the Switch 2 can play games at up to 4K on your TV, and Nintendo has improved the console’s internal speakers. The new dock also features a built-in fan to keep the console cool and maintain performance during extended play sessions. The Switch 2 has dual USB-C ports for charging, and the base storage has been increased to 256GB. The Switch 2’s storage can be expanded, but only with newer microSD Express cards.

The Switch 2 has several accessories available for purchase, including a new Switch 2 camera for $50, a new Switch 2 Pro controller for $80, an extra pair of Joy-Con 2 controllers for $90, a Joy-Con 2 charging grip for $35, and more.

Pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2 starting April 9 from: