The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch on June 5, 2025, and it's expected to be a highly sought-after item. To ensure that genuine Nintendo fans get a chance to pre-order, Nintendo has introduced some measures on the official My Nintendo Store. If you have a Nintendo Account, you can now register your interest in pre-ordering the Nintendo Switch 2 and selected accessories directly from the Nintendo Store. Once your turn comes up, you'll receive an invitation email, which you must respond to within 72 hours. However, there's a catch—you need to have spent time playing 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." Additionally, these invitations are non-transferable and will be sent to the email address linked to the Nintendo Account that registers interest. There's a one-per-account limit for the system and each accessory during this invitation period. You can express interest in either a standard Nintendo Switch 2 or a bundle that includes Mario Kart World.

After placing an order, it will be shipped, and you'll receive an approximate shipping date at the time of purchase. Nintendo clarifies that "release-day delivery is not guaranteed due to processing and shipment times." While not explicitly stated, these measures aim to ensure that the people buying a Switch 2 are those who intend to use it themselves, rather than reselling it online.

Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 Console Slideshow

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Scalping has been a persistent issue with new releases of popular products. Both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S faced significant scalping, and the Pokémon Trading Card Game has been dealing with ongoing shortages and scalping. Valve managed to mitigate this issue 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 purchase the Switch 2, these measures are designed to help long-time Switch owners avoid the potential chaos of securing a launch day pre-order.