The excitement surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2 remains robust despite some concerns regarding game pricing. Pre-orders in the United States swiftly sold out, a common trend for newly released consoles. This rapid sell-out can be attributed to both eager gamers and potential resellers attempting to capitalize on the demand. To combat scalping, Nintendo has provided consumers with the option to pre-order directly through its platform.
Instead of relying on brick-and-mortar retailers, Nintendo introduced the opportunity for players to register for an exclusive pre-order invitation for the Switch 2. These invitations began to circulate via email on May 8, offering recipients a limited window of 72 hours to confirm their interest in purchasing the console. Initially, this approach felt like a more secure and convenient method for securing a console, especially compared to the crowds one might face at retail outlets. However, I now find myself reconsidering my decision to wait for an invite.
The Safe Pre-Order Option from Nintendo
Benefits of Ordering Directly from Nintendo
Reflecting on my experiences, I remember the excitement of camping outside my local Target for the Nintendo Wii launch. However, opting for a direct pre-order with Nintendo seemed a wiser choice this time around. It eliminated the stress of crowds and minimized the likelihood of having my order unexpectedly canceled—an assurance that comes with ordering straight from the source, as Nintendo doesn’t deal with allocation concerns.
Another attractive feature of the pre-order system was the prioritization criteria for invitations. Nintendo favored players with over a year of Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) membership, a minimum of 50 hours of gameplay, and those who had shared their play data. This strategy aimed to ensure that dedicated fans received priority access over potential resellers looking to profit from their pre-orders.
Having maintained my NSO membership and logged substantial gameplay hours, I believed I met the criteria for a priority pre-order. Thus, I confidently registered, disregarding traditional pre-order options from retailers, assuming I was on track to receive an invite.
Consequences of Waiting for a Nintendo Invite
Missed Retail Pre-Order Opportunities
As time progressed, I began to doubt my decision to forgo retailer pre-orders for the Nintendo invite. It’s frustrating that the invitation emails began circulating after the retail pre-orders opened on April 24. If Nintendo had initiated the invite process sooner, I might have opted to secure one from a local store once I realized the console may not be forthcoming. Unfortunately, by the time invites were sent, local retailers had already sold out.
While I trust Nintendo’s assurance of rolling invitations, this does not guarantee a timely launch for my Switch 2. My eagerness to dive into new titles like Mario Kart World felt contingent on obtaining a console at launch. With the likelihood of a delayed shipment, I may reconsider waiting for a price reduction before making a purchase.
Availability Issues in Different Regions
Broad Access in the UK Market
The frustration of waiting for my Switch 2 pre-order invite feels compounded when considering the experiences of players in other regions. Reports indicate that players in certain countries have had no trouble securing pre-orders directly from Nintendo. According to coverage by VGC, the My Nintendo Store in the UK made the Switch 2 available to all customers on May 15 without requiring invites. My colleague in the UK was able to secure a pre-order easily, while nearby retailers quickly followed suit.
It’s clear that logistical complexities, such as tariffs and trade issues—particularly stemming from former tariff policies—are influencing Nintendo’s decisions regarding which markets receive priority. While I understand the rationale behind prioritizing countries with fewer trade complications, it does leave me questioning the reasoning behind my direct pre-order approach instead of opting for a retailer’s faster availability.
Since drafting this article, I received an email from Nintendo confirming that I am still queued for an eventual pre-order invite. While this level of communication contributes to my previous concerns, it fails to clarify when I might expect the actual invite.
Greater transparency from Nintendo about the pre-order process and timelines would have been beneficial. Clarifying eligibility for priority pre-orders could help alleviate concerns, as I am left pondering if I genuinely met the criteria I believed I did. With no tariffs imposed on emails, a clearer line of communication would have been appreciated, especially when it resulted in missing my chance to secure an order elsewhere.
Source: VGC