Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Orders: Release Date, Price, Specs & Where to Buy (IGN)

Published on: May 28, 2025

Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Orders: Everything We Know

The Nintendo Switch, a revolutionary hybrid console, has captured the hearts of gamers worldwide since its release in 2017. With its innovative design, allowing players to seamlessly switch between handheld and docked modes, it has become a global phenomenon. As the Switch approaches its twilight years, speculation and anticipation surrounding its successor, tentatively dubbed the "Nintendo Switch 2," are reaching fever pitch. While Nintendo remains tight-lipped about official details, the gaming community is buzzing with rumors, leaks, and predictions. This article consolidates all the information we know (and think we know) about the Nintendo Switch 2, focusing particularly on pre-order possibilities, potential release dates, price points, and specifications, all while adhering to the high standards of quality and accuracy you expect from IGN.

The Hype is Real: Why is Everyone Talking About the Switch 2?

The Switch has been a monumental success for Nintendo, but technology marches ever onward. Here’s why the gaming world is clamoring for a new console:

Technological Advancements: The original Switch uses hardware that, while impressive for its time, is showing its age compared to modern consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. A new console would allow Nintendo to leverage advancements in processing power, graphics capabilities, and battery life.
Demand for Enhanced Games: Many modern AAA games struggle to run optimally on the Switch, requiring significant graphical downgrades or cloud streaming solutions. A more powerful console would enable developers to create more visually stunning and technically demanding games for the Nintendo ecosystem.
Keeping Up with the Competition: Sony and Microsoft have already released their next-generation consoles. Nintendo needs to stay competitive by offering a compelling alternative with enhanced features and performance.
The Nintendo Legacy: Nintendo has a long and storied history of innovation and pushing the boundaries of gaming. A new console is an opportunity for them to redefine the handheld and hybrid gaming experience once again.

Pre-Order Speculation: When Can You Reserve Your Switch 2?

This is the million-dollar question! Unfortunately, there are currently no official pre-order announcements for the Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo typically keeps its product launch plans closely guarded until just a few months before release. However, we can look at Nintendo's past practices and industry trends to make educated guesses.

Historical Pre-Order Patterns:

Nintendo Switch (Original): Pre-orders began approximately one month before the console's release in March 2017.
Other Nintendo Consoles: Pre-order windows have varied, but generally, Nintendo announces pre-orders a few weeks to a couple of months before launch.

Factors Influencing Pre-Order Timing:

Manufacturing and Supply Chain: Nintendo needs to ensure it has sufficient units available to meet initial demand. Supply chain stability is crucial in determining when pre-orders can begin.
Marketing and Announcement Strategy: Nintendo prefers to build hype and control the flow of information leading up to a console launch. The timing of the announcement and pre-order availability is a key part of this strategy.
Competition: The competitive landscape can influence Nintendo's decision to open pre-orders earlier or later.

Predictions and Potential Scenarios:

Given the current rumors pointing to a potential late 2024 or early 2025 release, we can anticipate pre-orders opening sometime in late summer or early fall of 2024, if the release is indeed planned for 2024. If the release is pushed to early 2025, expect pre-orders to open towards the end of 2024. Nintendo will likely hold a dedicated Nintendo Direct presentation to unveil the console and announce pre-order details.

Where to Pre-Order the Nintendo Switch 2 (Speculative)

While we can’t provide definitive links yet, based on past Nintendo console launches, you can expect the following retailers to offer Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders:

Major Retailers: Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, Target, Walmart
Online Retailers: The Nintendo Official Store (online)
International Retailers: Depending on your region, look for pre-orders at local electronics and gaming stores.

Pro-Tips for Securing a Pre-Order:

Create Accounts: Ensure you have active accounts with all major retailers, with your payment information and shipping address up-to-date.
Sign Up for Email Alerts: Subscribe to newsletters and email alerts from retailers to receive notifications about pre-order availability.
Follow Social Media: Follow Nintendo and major retailers on social media (Twitter, Facebook, etc.) for real-time updates.
Be Ready to Act Fast: Pre-orders for highly anticipated consoles can sell out within minutes. Be prepared to act quickly once pre-orders go live.
Consider Bundles: Retailers may offer bundles that include the console, games, and accessories. While these bundles might be more expensive, they can increase your chances of securing a pre-order.

Price Expectations: How Much Will the Switch 2 Cost?

Pricing is another critical factor that will influence the success of the Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo needs to strike a balance between offering a competitive price and reflecting the improved hardware and features of the new console.

Historical Pricing:

Nintendo Switch (Original): $299.99
Nintendo Switch OLED: $349.99
Nintendo Switch Lite: $199.99

Factors Influencing Price:

Hardware Costs: The cost of components, such as the processor, memory, and display, will significantly impact the final price.
Manufacturing Costs: Production and assembly costs also play a role in determining the retail price.
Competition: The pricing of competing consoles (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and potentially future handhelds) will influence Nintendo's pricing strategy.
Market Conditions: Economic factors, such as inflation and currency exchange rates, can also affect pricing.
Features and Innovation: New features and innovative technologies may justify a higher price point.

Price Predictions:

Considering the factors above, we can expect the Nintendo Switch 2 to be priced higher than the original Switch. A realistic price range would be between $349.99 and $449.99. The specific price will depend on the final hardware configuration and Nintendo's overall market strategy. A cheaper, handheld-only version (similar to the Switch Lite) could potentially be released at a lower price point, but this is purely speculative at this point.

Potential Pricing Scenarios:

$349.99: A competitive price point that would make the Switch 2 accessible to a broad audience. This price would likely require Nintendo to carefully manage hardware costs and potentially offer a less powerful configuration.
$399.99: A more realistic price that reflects the improved hardware and features of the new console. This price would still be competitive with other consoles on the market.
$449.99: A higher price that reflects a significant upgrade in performance and features. This price could potentially deter some buyers, but it would be justified if the console offers a truly next-generation experience.

Nintendo Switch 2: Rumored Specs and Features

While official specifications remain a mystery, a wealth of rumors and leaks have painted a picture of what the Nintendo Switch 2 might offer.

Processor and Graphics:

NVIDIA Custom Tegra Chip: It's widely expected that Nintendo will continue to partner with NVIDIA for the Switch 2's processor and graphics. Rumors suggest a custom Tegra chip based on NVIDIA's Ampere or Ada Lovelace architecture, offering a significant performance boost over the original Switch's Tegra X1.
Improved Performance: The new chip is expected to deliver significantly improved CPU and GPU performance, allowing for higher resolutions, smoother frame rates, and more detailed graphics.
Ray Tracing and DLSS: There's speculation that the Switch 2 could support ray tracing and NVIDIA's DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) technology. Ray tracing would enable more realistic lighting and reflections, while DLSS would allow the console to render games at a lower resolution and then upscale them to a higher resolution, improving performance without sacrificing visual quality.

Display:

Larger OLED Screen: Many rumors point to a larger OLED screen, potentially around 7-8 inches, offering improved color accuracy, contrast, and brightness compared to the original Switch's LCD screen.
Higher Resolution: A higher resolution display (potentially 1080p in handheld mode and 4K when docked) would provide a sharper and more detailed image.

Memory and Storage:

More RAM: The Switch 2 is expected to feature significantly more RAM than the original Switch (which has 4GB). This would allow for larger and more complex games, as well as improved multitasking.
Faster Storage: Faster storage (potentially NVMe SSD) would significantly reduce loading times and improve overall system performance.
Increased Internal Storage: The Switch 2 is likely to offer more internal storage than the original Switch, which has only 32GB. This would allow players to store more games and data on the console itself.

Other Features:

Backwards Compatibility: Backwards compatibility with original Nintendo Switch games is highly anticipated. This would allow players to continue playing their existing game library on the new console. Nintendo could achieve backwards compatibility through hardware or software emulation.
Improved Docking Station: The Switch 2's docking station could feature improved connectivity options, such as HDMI 2.1 for 4K output and faster USB ports.
Enhanced Joy-Cons: The Joy-Cons could receive updates, such as improved ergonomics, more durable materials, and new features. There's also speculation about a potential redesign to address the "Joy-Con drift" issue that has plagued the original Switch.
New Online Services: Nintendo could introduce new online services and features to enhance the multiplayer experience.

Why Backwards Compatibility is Crucial

Backwards compatibility isn't just a nice-to-have feature; it's a critical component for the Switch 2's success. Here's why:

Preserves Investment: It allows players to continue enjoying their existing library of Switch games, protecting their investment in the Nintendo ecosystem.
Smooth Transition: It makes the transition to the new console seamless and less disruptive.
Attracts New Customers: It makes the Switch 2 more appealing to potential new customers who may be hesitant to invest in a new console without knowing what games they can play on it.
Strengthens the Ecosystem: It strengthens the Nintendo ecosystem by ensuring that players remain engaged with the platform even after upgrading to the new console.

The Competition: How Does the Switch 2 Stack Up?

The Nintendo Switch 2 will enter a competitive market dominated by the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. While the Switch 2 is unlikely to match the raw power of these consoles, it will likely offer a unique value proposition centered around its hybrid nature and Nintendo's exclusive games.

Key Competitive Advantages:

Hybrid Design: The ability to seamlessly switch between handheld and docked modes remains a key differentiator for the Switch 2.
Nintendo's Exclusive Games: Nintendo's first-party games (e.g., Mario, Zelda, Pokémon) are a major draw for gamers.
Family-Friendly Appeal: The Switch has a strong appeal to families and younger gamers.
Innovation: Nintendo has a history of innovation, and the Switch 2 is expected to introduce new and unique features.

Potential Challenges:

Price: The Switch 2 needs to be priced competitively to attract buyers.
Performance: The Switch 2 needs to offer a significant performance boost over the original Switch to justify the upgrade.
Third-Party Support: Nintendo needs to secure strong third-party support to ensure that the Switch 2 has a diverse library of games.

Software and Games: What Can We Expect?

The success of the Nintendo Switch 2 will depend not only on its hardware but also on its software and games. Nintendo needs to deliver a compelling lineup of first-party titles and attract strong third-party support.

First-Party Games:

New Mario Game: A new Mario game is almost guaranteed to be a launch title for the Switch 2.
New Zelda Game: A new Zelda game, potentially a direct sequel to Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom, is also highly anticipated.
New Pokémon Game: A new Pokémon game is a staple of Nintendo's console releases.
Other Nintendo Franchises: Expect to see new entries in other popular Nintendo franchises, such as Metroid, Animal Crossing, and Splatoon.

Third-Party Games:

AAA Titles: Nintendo needs to attract AAA titles from major publishers to ensure that the Switch 2 has a diverse library of games. This will depend on the console's performance and the level of support that Nintendo provides to developers.
Indie Games: The Switch has been a popular platform for indie games, and this is expected to continue with the Switch 2.

The Importance of Timing: When Will the Switch 2 Be Released?

The release date of the Nintendo Switch 2 is a closely guarded secret, but speculation is rampant. Several factors will influence Nintendo's decision, including:

Hardware Development: The console needs to be fully developed and tested before it can be released.
Software Development: Nintendo needs to have a strong lineup of launch titles ready to go.
Manufacturing and Supply Chain: Nintendo needs to ensure that it can manufacture enough consoles to meet demand.
Competition: The release date of competing consoles will influence Nintendo's decision.
Market Conditions: Economic factors, such as inflation and consumer spending, can also affect the release date.

Potential Release Windows:

Late 2024: This is a possibility, but it depends on the progress of hardware and software development.
Early 2025: This is a more likely scenario, as it would give Nintendo more time to prepare for the launch.
Holiday 2025: This is also possible, but it would mean that the Switch 2 would be released further into the current console generation.

The Impact of the Semiconductor Shortage

The global semiconductor shortage has had a significant impact on the electronics industry, including the gaming console market. It has made it difficult for manufacturers to produce enough consoles to meet demand, leading to shortages and price increases. Nintendo has also been affected by the shortage, and it's unclear how long it will last.

Potential Implications for the Switch 2:

Delayed Release: The shortage could delay the release of the Switch 2.
Limited Availability: The shortage could lead to limited availability of the console at launch.
Higher Price: The shortage could drive up the price of the console.

Understanding the Hype and Managing Expectations

The anticipation surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2 is immense, but it's important to manage expectations. While the new console is likely to offer a significant upgrade over the original Switch, it's unlikely to match the raw power of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. The Switch 2 will likely focus on its unique hybrid design, Nintendo's exclusive games, and innovative features.

The Future of Nintendo: More Than Just Hardware

Nintendo's future is about more than just hardware. The company is also investing in new software, online services, and entertainment experiences. Nintendo is also exploring new technologies, such as cloud gaming and augmented reality. The Switch 2 will likely be a key part of Nintendo's broader strategy to expand its reach and engage with gamers in new ways.

The Nintendo Switch 2: A Summary of What We Know (So Far)

While much remains unknown, here’s a summary of what we can reasonably expect from the Nintendo Switch 2:

Release Date: Potentially late 2024 or early 2025.
Price: Likely between $349.99 and $449.99.
Processor: Custom NVIDIA Tegra chip.
Display: Larger OLED screen with higher resolution.
Memory and Storage: More RAM and faster storage.
Backwards Compatibility: Highly anticipated.
Hybrid Design: Expected to remain a key feature.

Stay Tuned for Updates

The information surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2 is constantly evolving. As new rumors and leaks emerge, we will continue to update this article with the latest information. Be sure to check back regularly for the most accurate and up-to-date news on the Nintendo Switch 2 and its potential pre-order availability.