With official store pre-orders due to open today, Nintendo has announced the requirements for players who want to get a Switch 2 directly from My Nintendo Store.
Pre-orders are due to start today for both the £395.99 console bundle, and the £429.99 bundle that includes Mario Kart World. However, all we’ve known until now is that: “To reward the most dedicated Nintendo Switch players in Europe and the UK, the opportunity to pre-order a Nintendo Switch 2 console from My Nintendo Store will initially be offered on an invite-only basis to selected Nintendo Switch Online members.”
Well now we have the details, and they’re split across three criteria. Nintendo adds: “Eligibility is based on data as of 31/03/2025.” With numerous retailers already sold out, and others still changing how they’re doing things, this might be most people’s last or best hope.
NSO membership status
- Has been a Nintendo Switch Online member for at least two years continuously by 31/03/2025, with an active membership on the day that the pre-order is placed. For family memberships, the person who purchased the membership will be eligible. Other people in the family membership are not eligible.
Play Time criteria
- Has spent a certain amount of time playing purchased/paid Nintendo Switch games, prioritising those with more playtime.
- Sharing usage information with Nintendo.
- Has opted in to share usage information with Nintendo to customise offers and recommendations.
Mailing list
- Has opted in to receive promotional emails and messages from Nintendo, and be opted in on the day the invitation email is sent.
There’s also fine some fine print, as follows:
Supervised Nintendo Accounts are not eligible to purchase on My Nintendo Store. For family memberships, the person who purchased the membership will be eligible to pre-order. Other people in the family membership are not eligible.
Over time, the selection criteria thresholds may be lowered and more people could be invited to pre-order a Nintendo Switch 2 console. Throughout, we will remain focussed on prioritising the most dedicated Nintendo Switch players (while stocks last).
Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 digital games, upgrade packs and amiibo will open on My Nintendo Store from 24/04.
On the North America side of things, there are the following requirements:
- Priority requirements are as follows: As of 4/2/2025, (i) you must have been the one who purchased any Nintendo Switch Online membership, (ii) you must have had any paid Nintendo Switch Online membership for a minimum of 12 months, and (iii) you must have opted in to share gameplay data and have at least 50 hours total gameplay hours.
- Nintendo Account holders in the US and Canada who are at least 18 years old are eligible to register.
- The first batch of invitations will go out starting May 8, 2025, with additional batches of invitation emails sent periodically until purchasing on My Nintendo Store is opened to everyone.
- Initial invitation emails will be delivered on a first-come, first-serve basis to eligible registrants who meet the priority criteria. Invitees will have 72 hours from the time when the email is sent to complete their purchase.
Nintendo Switch 2 is set for release on June 5th.
