Nintendo Switch 2 Preorders Now Available in the UK: Amazon Sends Out New Wave of Invites

Nintendo Switch 2 preorders have started in the UK, and Amazon has just sent out its latest wave of invites.

Apr 7, 2025 - 13:41

Nintendo Switch 2 Preorders Now Available in the UK: Amazon Sends Out New Wave of Invites

While Nintendo's official UK preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2 aren't set to begin until April 8, the console is already proving elusive. Most major retailers—including EE, Argos, GAME, and Smyths—have gone live early, only to sell out fast. There's even more turmoil in the US, where preorder delays and tariff concerns have muddied the waters.

But there’s good news: Amazon UK has begun sending out its latest wave of preorder invitations for Switch 2. If you requested an invite, now’s the time to swing by the Switch 2 listings just below, and check your inbox—this could be your best (and possibly only) chance to lock in a launch-day console without the chaos.

Unlike the US, UK preorders and pricing remain rock solid, with no delays and no price hikes. For instant alerts on preorder drops, restocks, and bundle deals, make sure to follow @IGNUKDeals on Twitter/X or Bluesky so you're always first in line.

If you haven’t yet requested a preorder invite from Amazon UK, now’s the time to act. Stock is vanishing fast across major retailers, and Amazon remains one of the last places where you can still secure a Nintendo Switch 2—or the sought-after Switch 2 Mario Kart World Bundle—without resorting to scalpers or second-hand listings.

Amazon is continuing to accept invite requests and will be sending out invitations right up until June 5. The catch is invites aren’t guaranteed, they’re not based on playtime like Nintendo’s own system, and once you receive one, it expires after just 22 hours. That means speed is everything—delay too long and your shot is gone.

But the good news, there’s no upfront cost either, so Amazon won’t charge you a penny until your order is dispatched, making it a risk-free way to secure your console ahead of launch. While Some users have reported a June 7 delivery estimate, but Amazon support has confirmed this is just a system glitch—launch day delivery on June 5 is still locked in.

And if you're building your day-one kit, some key accessories are already up for grabs. A Switch 2 screen protector is currently 50% off, while a high-speed Samsung 256GB microSD Express card—fully compatible with Switch 2—is just £47.35, the lowest price we've seen. You can also preorder the new Switch 2 Camera for £49.99.

35% Off NSO Expansion Pack Memberships

GameCube games coming exclusively to the Switch 2's exclusive online library is one of the best features of the new console. To make those membership costs just that little bit easier, UK retailer ShopTo has NSO at 35% off right now, and there's an extra 5% when you use code SPRING at checkout. As you get your Nintendo Switch 2 preorders in, this is an absolute bonus bargain to consider.

While some Nintendo Classics catalogues are unlocked with the base online subscription, you'll also need the Expansion Pack to play GameCube titles on Nintendo Switch 2. What's more, while you can subscribe to a monthly model for just Nintendo Switch Online, the Expansion Pack is only available on the 12-month plan, so make a note when purchasing. So, if you're the only Nintendo Switch players in your household, you can buy the individual Online + Expansion Pack plan for £24.55 or the Family Membership for £43.55 with the promo code SPRING.

Donkey Kong Bananza Switch 2 Preorders

ShopTo is taking the sting off for UK customers by allowing you to get Donkey Kong Bananza for only £63.50. While this is still more than the £58.99 RRP for digital copies, it's the best price possible right now for those who want to actually own their games, and hold them in their hands like a newborn bab.

This handy bargain comes as the result of using ShopTo's "SPRING" coupon code, which allows you and other future Nintendo Switch 2 players to knock 5% off various games, consoles, gift cards, and more across your order on the website.

Once you use the code at checkout, £3.35 will be taken off so you'll only have to pay £63.50 instead of £66.85. There is a catch, however. While you can preorder Donkey Kong Bananza to pay at dispatch normally, you'll only be allowed to use the discount code if you pay right away.

Switch 2 US Preorders Delayed Amid Tariff Uncertainty

In a surprise move, Nintendo has delayed the start of Switch 2 preorders in the United States, just days before they were set to go live. The decision comes in response to ongoing tariff concerns and what the company described as "evolving market conditions"—a direct reference to the revived threat of Trump-era import duties on electronics.

Preorders were originally scheduled to begin on April 9 in the US, but Nintendo has now put them on hold indefinitely. While no new date has been provided, the company has reassured fans that the Switch 2’s global release date—June 5, 2025—remains unchanged.

The official statement Nintendo shared with IGN: "Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not start April 9, 2025 in order to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions. Nintendo will update timing at a later date. The launch date of June 5, 2025 is unchanged.”

For now, the preorder freeze applies exclusively to the US market. UK preorders remain on track, with no changes to pricing or availability. In fact, retailers like Amazon UK are actively sending out preorder invitations, all the while launch-day stock is already starting to dry up across major outlets.

Nintendo had announced that the Switch 2 is priced at $449.99 USD, while the Mario Kart World bundle—which includes the full game—is set at $499.99 USD. Mario Kart World will also be sold separately for $79.99 USD.

What We Said in Our Switch 2 Preview

Here's what Logan Plant had to say in IGN's Nintendo Switch 2 preview: "Switch 2 is a more premium product and the price tag reflects that. It’s also a better version of a great thing, and it’s trying to pull off a bunch of cool new tricks at the same time, like mouse controls. Obviously we’re both buying Switch 2 on day one, and I did really love our hands-on time with the console. But I’ll be honest and say I have some concerns about if the general public is willing to adopt a $450 Nintendo console with an $80 Mario Kart."

"It’s a big ask for a company that traditionally targets families and younger players, and I feel like the high cost of entry limits the Switch 2’s potential to take off in the way its predecessor did. But for those of you that do decide to take the plunge, you’ll be getting what’s shaping up to be a great hybrid console that makes a ton of worthwhile improvements on the original Switch and adds some fun bells and whistles for good measure."

Switch 2 UK Preorder News

If you're not keen on paying upfront, Amazon still remains your best option in the UK. When available to buy retailers like Argos require immediate payment, but Amazon won’t charge a penny until dispatch—making it a safer bet if you're budgeting ahead of June. How the invites work merely seems to be a ballot system where invitees are selected at random.

Argos had plenty of Switch 2 stock available to preorder on April 3, but has now paused all orders. There’s still a chance more stock will be allocated in the weeks ahead, so if you miss out on an Amazon invite, don’t give up hope. Currys, like Smyths, also briefly opened up in-store preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2—but both are now temporarily out of stock and pausing orders.

For preorders at the Nintendo Store, where access is limited to long-time Nintendo Switch Online subscribers with high playtimes and shared usage data, Amazon’s invite system is far more accessible. It appears to operate on a simple ballot, meaning anyone has a fair shot—regardless of play history or membership status. Currys and Smyths are also expected to offer more preorder opportunities later through email alerts and queue systems, similar to their successful PS5 launch approach.

With Currys and Smyths, it looks like it will simply be a case of sending out an email when preorders are opened, followed by a queued ordering system. This was the method Currys used when taking PS5 preorders, and it worked without any site crashes at least. This means you could be in for a longer wait from these alternative retailers, but it's a lot less frustrating if you're certain you don't meet the strict requirements to order from Nintendo directly.

On the other hand, if you weren't planning to have the funds for your Nintendo Switch 2 preorder taken until near-dispatch in June—which is usually the case for retailers like Amazon—Argos may not be the best option for you since we have confirmed you'll need to pay right away.

In terms of accessories, there’s already a wave of compatible gear available. Some items have flown off shelves—like the Switch 2 Pro Controller (£74.99) and Hori’s Piranha Plant Camera (£34.99), both briefly available from ShopTo with a 5% discount using code SPRING. That brought the controller down to £71.10 and the camera to £33.10, though both are out of stock at the time of writing.

But not everything’s gone—there are still standout deals available. A Switch 2 screen protector is 50% off right now, and a Samsung 256GB microSD Express card (fully compatible with Switch 2) is just £47.35—the lowest price we’ve seen. You can also grab the new Switch 2 Camera for £49.99.

And if you’re planning to jump into online play on day one, ShopTo is offering up to 35% off the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack 12-month membership. That means access to online multiplayer and classic GameCube titles like The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Pokémon Colosseum for just £25.85.

Ben Williams – IGN freelance contributor with over 10 years of experience covering gaming, tech, film, TV, and anime. Follow him on Twitter/X @BenLevelTen.