Nintendo Switch 2 Preorders Get Some Nintendo Store Restrictions, Presumably to Thwart Scalpers

The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch on June 5, 2025, and it's expected to be a highly sought-after product. To ensure that dedicated Switch players have the best chance at securing a pre-order, Nintendo is implementing specific measures on the official Nintendo store.

On the My Nintendo Store, users with a Nintendo Account can register their interest in pre-ordering a Nintendo Switch 2 system and 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: you must have logged significant time on your existing 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 means that those who have been loyal to the Nintendo ecosystem will have priority.

Nintendo also emphasizes that these invitations are "non-transferable" and will be sent to the email addresses linked to the Nintendo Account used for registration. Additionally, 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 notes that "release-day delivery is not guaranteed due to processing and shipment times."

While Nintendo doesn't explicitly state it, these measures are clearly designed to ensure that the Switch 2 is purchased by genuine fans rather than scalpers looking to resell the console online at a higher price. Scalping has been a significant issue with recent high-demand products like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, and even the Pokémon Trading Card Game has faced similar challenges.

Valve successfully implemented a similar queue system for the Steam Deck, linking purchases to Steam accounts and checking account creation dates. Nintendo seems to be following suit with the My Nintendo Store process, aiming to prioritize dedicated fans.

While there will be other avenues to purchase the Switch 2, these measures provide long-time Switch owners a better chance at securing a pre-order without the chaos typically associated with high-demand launches.

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