A new date was set forNintendo Switch 2pre-orders in the United States, and now retailers have begun announcing exact times the highly anticipated console will become available for purchase. April 24 is thenew date for Switch 2 pre-ordersin the U.S., which was announced alongside price increases for accessories like controllers, likely to compensate for increased import costs stemming from the Trump administration’s sweeping tariffs.
According to theTargetwebsite (thanks to Reddit userretroanduwu24),Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders will go live at 12am EDT on April 24. At the time of this writing, other retailers have not yet followed suit in determining a time. For target, this appears to be the pre-order time for all announced console bundles, games, and accessories, as the banner includesMario Kart World, the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera, and more.
Target Starts Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Orders At Midnight Eastern Time On April 24
Expect Difficulties In Purchasing One
Midnight on April 24 is the earliest possible time Target can offer Switch 2 pre-orders in accordance with Nintendo’s chosen date. If the PlayStation 5’s launch five years ago is any indication, though, pre-orders becoming available won’t guarantee you get a Switch 2.Even large retailers like Target have limited stock, and anyone hoping to pre-order right at midnight will be competing with many others hoping to do the same. It’s best to be ready ahead of time, with payment and shipping information saved to your selected retailer’s website if possible.
Although other retailers have not yet settled on a time for pre-orders,12am EDT on April 24 will likely be a common timesince it’s the earliest possible window in the U.S. to adhere to Nintendo’s date. For those worried about missing out on the April 24 pre-order, you may be able to increase your chances of getting a Switch 2 by registering throughNintendo. Purchasing from this reserved stock won’t happen until May 8, but it does favor those who have a Nintendo Switch Online account.
When Switch 2 Pre-Orders Begin In Your Time Zone
Make Sure You’re Ready At The Right Time
Just because Target has chosen midnight Easter Time to begin its pre-orders doesn’t mean pre-orders begin at midnight in your area.12am EDT appears to be the start for pre-orders for all U.S. consumers, so if you’re trying to purchase through Target in another time zone, you’ll actually have to order late in the evening on April 23. Here’s a quick reference for when Target’s Switch 2 pre-orders start in all four contiguous U.S. time zones.
12:00am Jul 25, 2025
11:00pm June 29, 2025
10:00pm June 12, 2025
Pacific
9:00pm June 14, 2025
If you are interested in any Switch 2 accessories, be sure to check thenew accessory pricesahead of the pre-order date, though those conceivably won’t be as in high demand as the console itself. It’s also worth noting that theSwitch 2’s day-one releasesdon’t necessarily have to be ordered alongside the console, especially if you plan on purchasing them digitally, that charge can wait until yourNintendo Switch 2actually arrives.
Source:Target(viaretroanduwu24/Reddit),Nintendo
Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 is the successor to Nintendo Switch, scheduled for release in 2025. Confirmed as backwards compatible, it will play both physical and digital Nintendo Switch games. A full reveal is pencilled in for July 21, 2025.
