With the official presentation of Nintendo's next console just around the cornerSpeculation about the possible pre-order date for the Nintendo Switch 2 has reached a new level of intensity. While no official announcement has yet been made, several sources agree that the possibility of pre-ordering and securing the console is very close.
The Nintendo Direct event announced for April 2, which will focus entirely on the next generation of the famous hybrid console, will likely be the starting point for clearing up many unknowns. During this Direct, Nintendo is expected to reveal key details such as the price, release date, and, what many are most eagerly awaiting, when pre-orders will open.
Confusion surrounding the reservation opening date
Information regarding the opening of reservations has been diverse and in some cases contradictory.Best Buy Canada was one of the first to stir the hype, posting (and subsequently deleting) a blog post stating that pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 would begin on April 2nd, coinciding with the Nintendo Direct.
This message was picked up and disseminated by various media outlets, generating a wave of anticipation among the players. However, The withdrawal of the statement by Best Buy as well as the absence of confirmations from other subsidiaries of the retailer or from Nintendo itself raised doubts about the veracity of that date. For more information, you can consult this article on the Nintendo Direct.
As the days passed, new leaks began to contradict that initial information. Several specialized portals, such as Insider Gaming and The Shortcut, claim to have accessed internal documents from major retailers in the United States that specify that Reservations will begin on April 9, one week after the Nintendo Direct.This second version seems to be gaining more credibility, playing consistently across different platforms.
A measured commercial strategy by Nintendo
According to these latest leaks, Nintendo's idea would be to announce at the end of the Direct that reservations will be available "very soon.", accompanied by a countdown visible on its website and associated sales portals. This countdown would end on April 9, coinciding with the supposed opening date for orders.
This strategy would allow Nintendo to measure the impact of the event and generate a second peak of media attention. just a week later, thus keeping interest in the new console alive for longer. Additionally, some rumors suggest that the Nintendo Switch 2 could have backwards compatibility features, which could be a big draw for gamers.
Furthermore, it is said that Early Nintendo Switch 2 buyers will receive a commemorative collectible coin., although this incentive would be limited to a small number of units, as forecasts indicate that demand will exceed initial supply, at least in certain key markets such as the United States and Europe.
Launch planned for summer 2025
Regarding the official release date of the console, most sources agree that it will be between June and July 2025.. Although there is no confirmation from Nintendo so far, this release window seems reasonable, as it would allow the company to take advantage of the summer campaign and prepare the ground to boost sales for the holiday season. Furthermore, there is information suggesting that Nintendo Switch 2 will have backward compatibility with the titles of its predecessor.
There is also talk of a three-phase plan for the console's deployment: an initial phase with exclusive Nintendo titles, a second phase with third-party games, and a third with major releases aimed at the end-of-year holidays.
Test track and fan events
Not only are reservations and commercial launch being prepared, they are also being organized Global events where fans can try out the console before it hits the marketThese events require prior registration and will be held in various European cities: Paris (April 4-6), London (April 11-13), Milan and Berlin (April 25-27), and Madrid and Amsterdam (May 9-11). Similar events will also be held in other cities outside the continent, such as Tokyo and Seoul.
At these events, attendees are expected to be able to interact with the console and try out titles from the launch catalog., which include names such as a new installment of Mario Kart or a future improved version of Metroid Prime 4, titles that will also be featured in the Direct on the 2nd. For more details on Mario Kart, you can see the article on Mario Kart 9 rumors.
These types of initiatives reinforce Nintendo's commitment to its fan base and generate even more excitement for the console's launch.
Expectations regarding price and pre-sale model
Another aspect that keeps the community in suspense is the price of the new console.While not officially revealed, estimates place the cost of the Nintendo Switch 2 between €400 and €500, depending on the model and included accessories. Some sources suggest the most likely price will be €399, a figure that would represent a €50 increase compared to the current OLED model.
In addition, there is speculation that Reservations will only be available through certain channels initially., such as large retailers and authorized online platforms, to avoid system saturation and better manage distribution. Sites like Walmart, Amazon, GameStop, Target, and the Nintendo Store itself are strong candidates to lead this pre-sale.
There have even been rumors that the console could appear on retail systems just an hour after the Nintendo Direct, on April 2nd at 16:00 PM CEST. However, this theory has been weakening, as has the theory that the entire thing was scheduled for April 9th.
In any case, It is advisable to pay attention to the content of the Direct and subsequent official communications, where all these details are expected to be finally confirmed.
Although leaks have been outlining a fairly consistent scenario regarding the future pre-order of the Nintendo Switch 2, we'll have to wait for the Nintendo Direct to clear up any doubts. The console will be released in the summer, with pre-orders expected to begin on April 9 and include incentives for early adopters. However, considering the enthusiasm it has generated, it won't be easy to get your hands on a launch unit unless you act quickly.
