Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders are the top of everyone's minds ahead of this week's Nintendo Direct. With retailers beginning to gear up for the onslaught of orders, and price rumours starting to take more shape, things are already getting heated ahead of tonight's stream.
Are pre-orders likely to go ahead tonight (or tomorrow) in Australia? The signals are mixed at the moment. US retailer Best Buy says April 2, but new leaks suggest April 9, so in other words, exactly when Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders will go live remains a mystery.
Though Best Buy Canada revealed an April 2 pre-order date in a since-deleted blog post, newer conflicting information from US retailer communications suggests that the pre-order date might be shifted to April 9.
These reports state that stores are concerned about selling through their initial allotment on release day, despite Nintendo's reassurances that it's taken steps to ensure there's a Nintendo Switch 2 for everyone who wants one. More interestingly for pre-order timings, though, is the fact that these stores have also supposedly been instructed to count down to the pre-order launch date - suggesting a delay after the Direct presentation. In other words, Nintendo Switch 2 may not follow in the footsteps of its predecessor when it comes to pre-orders opening straight after a full reveal.
Of course, most Australian retailers including EB Games and JB Hi-Fi, have acknowledged that the Switch 2 is coming, though actual product listings and pre-order options aren't available yet. So until that happens, I'm getting you prepped with all the retailers you need to watch out for when Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders do land.
I've been tracking these stock frenzies across everything from the Switch OLED to the PS5 and its Pro model over the last five years, so I've picked up a thing or two about being in the right place at the right time. You'll find all my tips and tricks further down the page.
Recent updates
April 1 - We're just hours away from the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, and rumours surrounding the exact date and time of pre-orders are starting to spin out. Today's update includes information about a new retailer leak, which suggests the handheld will be available for early orders from April 9 - one week after the presentation.
Switch 2 retailers in Australia
While we're a ways off from actual Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders just yet, it's worth getting your ducks in a row. I would always recommend heading to Nintendo first and foremost when those pre-orders drop, but this is going to be a smaller site than other retail stores - and if crashes do occur it's worth having some backups available.
Amazon, JB Hi-Fi and EB Games are all well seasoned in this game - they've been regulars in the race for console stock from other brands. Plus, don't sleep on the non-specialist bricks and mortar stores like Big W, especially if you have one nearby.
Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order FAQs
What time will the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct broadcast in Australia?
The official date for Nintendo's Direct presentation is April 2, 2025, but it'll actually occur on April 3 in most of Australia due to timezone differences. Here are the times based on major cities:
Sydney: Midnight, Thursday, April 3
Melbourne: Midnight, Thursday, April 3
Canberra: Midnight, Thursday, April 3
Hobart: Midnight, Thursday April 3
Brisbane: 11pm, Wednesday April 2
Adelaide: 11:30pm, Wednesday April 2
Perth: 9pm, Wednesday, April 2
Darwin: 10:30pm, Wednesday April 2
When will Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders go live?
We're still waiting for information from Nintendo on all things Switch 2, including the pre-order date. If the original console's timeline holds true second time around, we could see those doors open right on announcement, during April's Direct presentation.
While that may hold true in the UK and United States, it may not in Australia: the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct occurs either in the middle of the night or late in the evening here, depending where you are. In that case, we could get a April 3 pre-order launch in Australia, assuming Nintendo takes the same course as it did with the original Switch.
All that said, more recent rumours suggest pre-orders could open a full week after the presentation, on April 9.
How much will the Nintendo Switch cost?
Analysts are currently putting the Nintendo Switch 2 price at $399 / £399 - $499 / £499 abroad, which translates in Australia to anywhere between AU$790 to AU$1,000. Thankfully, recent rumours have pointed towards the lower end of that spectrum, which is where I expect the final cost to sit, if not lower.
The latest leaks come from an Italian retailer, with a 'discounted' rate of €364.99 (which works out at around AU$600 in Australia), though insider @Shpeshal_Nick claimed a rate of $449 (AU$707) on Twitter. It's unlikely that the Nintendo Switch 2 will push too close to a thousand bucks.
Whatever the case, these are rumours: the Nintendo Switch 2 price hasn't been confirmed, and likely won't be until April 2.
In the meantime, check out all the latest Nintendo Switch 2 backwards compatibility updates as well as the best Nintendo Switch accessories and the best Nintendo Switch headsets on the market.
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