Nintendo Switch 2 Preorders Face Store Restrictions to Combat Scalpers

The highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch on June 5, 2025, and it's expected to be a hot commodity. To ensure that genuine Switch enthusiasts get their hands on the new console, Nintendo is implementing a strategic pre-order system on the official My Nintendo Store.

On the My Nintendo Store, users with a Nintendo Account can register their interest in pre-ordering the Nintendo Switch 2 system along with "select accessories." Those who register will receive an invitation email when it's their turn to pre-order, and this invitation will be valid for 72 hours. However, there's a catch: to be eligible, you must have spent significant time on your current Switch and be a member of Nintendo Switch Online.

According to the fine print on the site, "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 ensures that the most dedicated fans get priority.

Nintendo also emphasizes that these invitations are "non-transferable" and will be sent to the email address linked to the Nintendo Account that registered interest. There's a one-per-account limit for both the system and each accessory during the invitation period. Currently, you can express interest in either a base Nintendo Switch 2 system or one bundled with Mario Kart World.

Once an order is placed, it will be shipped after purchase, with an approximate shipping date provided at the time of ordering. Nintendo clarifies that "release-day delivery is not guaranteed due to processing and shipment times."

While Nintendo hasn't explicitly stated it, these measures seem designed to ensure that the Switch 2 is purchased by individuals who intend to use it themselves, rather than reselling it online for profit.

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Scalping has been a persistent issue with the release of popular products, as seen with the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Valve managed to mitigate this problem with the Steam Deck by implementing a queue system that linked purchases to Steam accounts and checked account creation dates. It's no surprise that Nintendo is adopting a similar approach with the My Nintendo Store process.

While there will be other avenues to acquire a Switch 2, this pre-order system offers a promising solution for long-time Switch owners to secure their console without the chaos typically associated with launch day pre-orders.