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Nintendo , Switch 2
Trevor Barnes
3 3 min read

Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Orders Are (Finally) Happening — But the Timing’s Kinda Brutal

This is the moment we’ve been waiting for — just not quite like this.

When Nintendo delayed U.S. pre-orders earlier this month due to the whole tariff shuffle (classic 2025 headline), it left a lot of us hanging. At TechInform, we’ve been tracking every whisper and waiting for that green light. Over the weekend, Nintendo finally gave it — Switch 2 pre-orders go live April 24.

Great news! Except… that’s less than a week away. No hype cycle, no countdown — just a quiet “oh hey, go preorder now” after a three-week delay. It doesn’t exactly give people a lot of time to budget or plan — especially if, like me, you’re hoping to score the full Mario Kart World bundle.

🎯 The Core Details (and What’s Staying the Same)

Nintendo kept the base pricing exactly where they left it on April 2 — no last-minute changes, which is honestly a relief in 2025.

Here’s what’s confirmed:

  • Nintendo Switch 2 — $449.99
  • Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle — $499.99
  • Mario Kart World (standalone) — $79.99
  • Donkey Kong Bananza — $69.99

If you’re even remotely interested in Mario Kart World (and come on, you are), the $499.99 bundle is hands-down the smartest pickup. That’s the one I’m trying to pre-order — we’ll see if I can actually snag it before stock disappears.

🧩 Accessories Got a Price Bump

Not everything stayed the same, though. Nintendo quietly adjusted accessory prices “due to market conditions,” which is corporate speak for “these cost more now, sorry.”

Some notable numbers:

  • Pro Controller: $84.99
  • Joy-Con 2 Pair: $94.99
  • Dock Set: $119.99
  • All-In-One Carrying Case: $84.99
  • Camera Attachment: $54.99
  • microSD Express Card (256GB): $59.99

Even the Joy-Con Charging Grip and straps went up. None of it’s outrageous for 2025, but if you’re trying to build a full home setup, you’re looking at an easy $150–$250 on top of the console cost. Not exactly the most budget-friendly upgrade path.

😬 Real Talk: The Short Notice Hurts

Here’s where Nintendo dropped the ball a bit. After delaying U.S. pre-orders over tariffs (understandable), you’d think they’d give folks a heads-up when the new date was locked. Instead, they slid it in over the weekend — barely six days before orders open.

That might not sound like much, but when you’re asking people to drop $500–$700 on a console and accessories, every day counts. Whether you’re saving up, trading in your old Switch, or just trying to budget around rent, this late notice adds unnecessary stress to what should’ve been a celebratory moment.

🧪 What It Means for Me (and Maybe You)

I’m planning to go for the Mario Kart World bundle — it’s the cleanest value and probably the fastest to sell out. But I’m fully expecting a Wild West situation on April 24. Stock will go fast, and retailers probably won’t be super organized given how sudden this all feels.

If you’re trying to lock one in too, here’s my quick prep list:

📅 Trevor’s Pre-Order Checklist:

  • Set calendar reminders for the morning of April 24 (Nintendo hasn’t confirmed a specific time yet, but be ready by 9 AM ET just to be safe).
  • Sign in early to major retailers: Nintendo, Amazon, Best Buy, Target, Walmart — all likely candidates.
  • Have payment saved and autofill ready to go. Seconds matter.
  • Know your bundle preference so you don’t waste time deciding.
  • Try mobile + desktop at the same time. Some sites crash on one but not the other.
  • Accept that it might not happen and plan for round two later.

Trevor Score: 8/10 — Still Hyped, But Could’ve Been Handled Better

This isn’t a formal review — it’s just how I felt using this thing. A gut-check from someone who actually used it.

Switch 2 is shaping up to be a strong step forward. The performance is better, the new games look polished, and there’s a clear upgrade path for fans. But this pre-order rollout? Kind of a mess. After delaying U.S. buyers for weeks, Nintendo gave us less than a week’s notice to prepare — and then raised accessory prices to boot.

Still, the core console pricing held. That helps. And I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited to (hopefully) race through Mario Kart World on launch day.

Final Verdict: Switch 2 Is Here, But The Road to It Got Bumpy

This should’ve been a smooth runway to pre-orders, especially after the tariff delay. Instead, it feels like Nintendo threw a dart at the calendar and said, “Good luck, America.” But for all the awkward timing, the Switch 2 itself still looks like the real deal — and the June 5 launch is right on track.

I’ll be up early on April 24, aiming for the bundle and hoping the checkout gods are kind.

If I get one, I’ll be back here with first impressions (and maybe a few victory laps in Mario Kart World). If not… see you in the next drop wave.

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