Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Order: UK & Ireland Date, Price Guide 2025

If you’ve been watching the Nintendo Switch 2 rollout from the sidelines, you’re not alone: pre-orders opened in the UK on April 8, 2025, and the scramble for a console has been intense ever since. Here’s what you need to know about timing, pricing, and where to secure your unit — whether you’re in the UK, Ireland, or the US.

Pre-order date (UK): April 8, 2025 ·
Launch date (UK): June 5, 2025 ·
US price: $449.99 ·
UK standalone price: £395.99 ·
UK bundle price: £429.99 ·
Ireland price: €469.99 ·
Units sold (mid-2025): 19.86 million

Here are the key facts for the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order and launch.

When can I preorder the Nintendo Switch 2?

Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date confirmed

Nintendo officially opened pre-orders for the Switch 2 in the UK on April 8, 2025, according to GamesRadar (gaming news outlet). In the US, pre-orders were delayed to April 24, 2025, as confirmed by Nintendo US (official manufacturer).

Pre-order start time and time zone details

UK pre-orders went live at 9 PM local time on the day of launch. US pre-orders are expected to follow a similar time slot, though Nintendo has not specified exact hours.

The implication: pre-ordering through Nintendo directly is not a given — you need to be a loyal subscriber, not just a willing buyer.

How much does the Nintendo Switch 2 cost?

Nintendo Switch 2 US price

The standalone console costs $449.99 in the US, as announced by Nintendo US (official manufacturer).

Nintendo Switch 2 UK price

In the UK, the standalone Switch 2 is priced at £395.99, while the Mario Kart World bundle costs £429.99, according to TechRadar (tech news site) and GamesRadar (gaming news outlet).

Nintendo Switch 2 Ireland price

Irish buyers can pre-order through the My Nintendo Store Ireland for €469.99, as listed on the Nintendo Store Ireland (official retailer).

The pattern: the UK gets the best deal in Europe, while Ireland pays a €50 premium over the UK standalone price.

Why is the Nintendo Switch 2 still so expensive?

Production costs and hardware pricing

Nintendo uses a custom Nvidia chip, a large OLED screen, and increased storage, which drive up the bill of materials. The original Switch launched at $299 in 2017, so the Switch 2’s $449.99 price tag represents a 50% increase in the US, according to historical pricing data from Nintendo UK hardware page (official retailer).

Global inflation and component shortage impact

Rising component costs and global inflation have pushed console prices higher across the board. Nintendo’s pricing strategy mirrors that of Sony and Microsoft, which also raised prices for their latest consoles.

Why this matters: the price is unlikely to drop in the first year because demand already exceeds supply, as seen in early sales figures.

Is the Nintendo Switch 2 selling well?

Nintendo Switch 2 sales figures so far

As of mid-2025, the Switch 2 has sold 19.86 million units, according to a Reddit community (r/IrelandGaming) report. Demand is outstripping supply in many regions, including the UK and Ireland.

Comparison to original Switch first-year sales

The original Switch sold 14.86 million units in its first year (2017–2018), according to Nintendo’s fiscal reports. The Switch 2 is on track to surpass that pace, with pre-orders selling out quickly across multiple retailers.

The pattern: the Switch 2 is selling faster than its predecessor in the same timeframe, driven by a strong launch lineup and pent-up demand.

Where can I pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2 online?

Pre-order on Nintendo Store

The official Nintendo Store Ireland has a dedicated pre-order page for the Switch 2 console, as shown on My Nintendo Store Ireland (official retailer). UK buyers can use the Nintendo UK store, but pre-order eligibility required a Nintendo Switch Online membership with at least two years of continuous subscription.

Pre-order on Amazon

Amazon UK listed the Switch 2 for pre-order, though stock was limited. Amazon was one of the first third-party retailers to open pre-orders.

Pre-order on Smyths Toys (Ireland)

Smyths Toys in Ireland offered a newsletter sign-up for stock alerts.

Pre-order on Currys (UK/Ireland)

Currys UK and Ireland both offered delivery and click & collect options for the Switch 2, according to TechRadar (tech news site). John Lewis also listed the console but only accessories were available to pre-order initially.

The implication: if you don’t already have a Nintendo Online membership, your best bet is a third-party retailer like Amazon or Currys.

Specifications at a glance

Six key facts, one pattern: the Switch 2 is priced higher than its predecessor but offers a meaningful upgrade in performance and features.

The pricing and release details across regions highlight the unique value proposition for UK buyers compared to their US and Irish counterparts.

How to pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2

1. Step 1: Check your Nintendo Online membership
   If you plan to order directly from Nintendo, ensure you have an active Nintendo Switch Online membership with at least two years of continuous history.
2. Step 2: Choose your retailer
   Decide between Nintendo Store, Amazon, Currys, or Smyths Toys. Each has different stock availability and eligibility criteria.
3. Step 3: Set a reminder
   Pre-orders opened at 9 PM local time on the announced date. Mark your calendar and be ready to purchase quickly.
4. Step 4: Consider a bundle
   The Mario Kart World bundle costs £429.99 in the UK and includes a digital copy of the game, as reported by TechRadar (tech news site).
5. Step 5: Complete the purchase
   Use a credit card or PayPal. Delivery estimates vary by retailer; Currys offered click & collect for immediate pickup on launch day.

The catch: stock is limited, so you need to act fast. The second batch of pre-orders may not open until after the initial sellout.

Timeline of key events

Timeline signal: the gap between pre-order and launch is about two months, giving buyers time to plan — but stock may run out before then.

What we know and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders start April 8, 2025 in the UK (GamesRadar)
• Launch date is June 5, 2025 in the UK and Ireland (Nintendo UK)
• US price is $449.99 (Nintendo US)
• Ireland price is €469.99 (My Nintendo Store Ireland)
• UK standalone price is £395.99, bundle £429.99 (TechRadar)

What’s unclear

• Whether the UK price will vary by retailer (e.g., Amazon vs Currys)
• Exact pre-order time for Amazon
• If a second batch of pre-orders will open after initial sellout
• The exact pre-order time for US retailers
• Whether Nintendo will release a Pro model later
• If the console price will drop in the first year

The consensus: confirmed facts give buyers a solid foundation, but uncertainties around retailer pricing and stock replenishment mean flexibility is crucial.

What people are saying

“Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 will begin on April 24 in the U.S.”

— Nintendo US official statement

“I’m worried I won’t get one because I only got Nintendo Online last month.”

— Reddit user in r/IrelandGaming (Reddit community (r/IrelandGaming))

“The Mario Kart World bundle is a solid deal at £429.99 — you save £15 compared to buying separately.”

— Currys product page analysis

Editor’s note: The quotes reflect real buyer sentiment and official announcements, giving a balanced view of the pre-order landscape.

Need more gaming release insights? Check out our guides on Rockstar Games GTA 6: Release, Price, Size & Cost Rumors and Spider-Man Miles Morales: Length, Order, Release & FAQ.

For those struggling to secure a console, a detailed breakdown of Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order delays in the UK and Ireland offers practical advice on navigating stock shortages.

Frequently asked questions

For Irish buyers, the decision is clear: order from Smyths Toys or the Nintendo Store Ireland to avoid paying a premium elsewhere, or risk missing out on the first wave.