You’ve seen the "currently unavailable" pages. You’ve probably refreshed the search results until your thumb went numb. If you’re looking for a switch 2 pre order amazon link in the United States right now, I have some news that’s gonna sting a bit: you’re probably looking for something that doesn't exist yet, at least not in the way you think.
Honestly, the relationship between Nintendo and Amazon US has been weirdly frosty for a while. While other retailers like Best Buy and Walmart were screaming about their pre-order windows back in April 2025, Amazon stayed quiet. Like, "ghosting your ex" quiet. It’s 2026 now, and the console has been out since June 5, 2025, but the pre-order saga left a lot of people confused.
Why the Switch 2 Pre Order Amazon Situation Was Such a Mess
Back when the hype was hitting a fever pitch in early 2025, everyone assumed Amazon would be the go-to. Why wouldn't they be? They're the biggest store on the planet. But if you look at the history, Nintendo and Amazon US had a major falling out. Rumor has it—and by rumor, I mean industry whispers from places like ComicBook.com—that Nintendo got fed up with Amazon breaking "street dates." Basically, Amazon was shipping games so fast they were arriving before the official launch day. Nintendo, being the control freaks they are, didn't love that.
Because of that beef, the initial switch 2 pre order amazon phase in the US was basically non-existent. While people were hovering over their keyboards at midnight on April 24, 2025, to snag a unit from Target or Walmart, Amazon US didn't even have a listing.
It was a different story in Europe and Japan, though. Over there, Amazon actually handled pre-orders using an "invite-only" system. You had to request an invitation and then you had a tiny 22-hour window to buy it if you were picked. In the States? We got nothing but third-party scalpers trying to sell "pre-order slots" for $900. Don't ever buy those, by the way. They’re a total scam.
What You Need to Know About the Hardware Right Now
If you managed to dodge the pre-order chaos and you're looking to grab one now, or if you're waiting for a restock of the specific bundles, here is what the "Ounce" (that was the codename, by the way) actually brings to the table:
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- The Screen: It’s a 7.9-inch LCD. Yeah, it’s not OLED at launch, which kinda sucks, but it hits 1080p in handheld mode and can do 120Hz.
- The Guts: It's running a custom Nvidia Tegra T239 chip. In plain English? It’s basically a portable PS4 Pro with some fancy AI upscaling (DLSS) that makes it look like 4K when it’s docked to your TV.
- Backward Compatibility: This is the big win. Your old Switch carts work. Mostly. Nintendo just pushed a 21.2.0 firmware update this month (January 2026) to fix compatibility for games like Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
The Real Price of Entry
Nintendo didn't stick to the old $299 price point. The standard Switch 2 launched at $449.99. If you wanted the Mario Kart World bundle—which was the big pre-order draw—that was $499.99.
Interestingly, if you see a switch 2 pre order amazon listing now for upcoming 2026 games like High on Life 2 or the physical edition of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, those are actually live. High on Life 2 is slated for an April 20, 2026, release and you can actually pre-order that on Amazon for $59.99 right now. It seems the "ban" on Nintendo hardware didn't fully extend to every single third-party publisher using the platform.
How to Actually Get One in 2026
Since the "pre-order" window is long gone and we’re now into the second year of the console’s life, your strategy for Amazon has to change.
- Check "Sold by Amazon" only: Scalpers are still all over the listings. If it's $600, skip it. The MSRP is still $449.
- Warehouse Deals: Now that the console has been out for about seven months, you’ll start seeing "Used - Like New" returns on Amazon. This is honestly the best way to save $50.
- The Invite System: For high-demand restocks, Amazon still occasionally uses the "Request Invite" button. If you see it, click it. It doesn't cost anything and it's better than fighting the bots.
Why People Are Still Searching for Pre-Orders
It sounds weird to search for a pre-order for a console that’s already out, right? But it makes sense when you look at the 2026 release calendar. We’ve got Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokémon Pokopia looming. Whenever a massive "Special Edition" console is announced—like a Zelda-themed Switch 2—the switch 2 pre order amazon search spike happens all over again.
Just remember: Amazon is usually the last place to get these listings in the US. If a new Limited Edition gets announced, check Best Buy or the official Nintendo Store first. Nintendo seems to trust them a lot more with their precious inventory.
Actionable Steps for Buying a Switch 2 Today
Stop waiting for a "traditional" pre-order if you just want the base console. Go to the Amazon search bar and filter by "Ships from Amazon" and "Sold by Amazon" to avoid the $700 third-party listings. If you're hunting for the upcoming 2026 game releases, those are available for pre-order right now, and Amazon usually offers a "Pre-order Price Guarantee," meaning if the price drops between now and the release date, you pay the lowest price.
Check your current Switch Online status too. If you're trying to buy directly from Nintendo, they still require you to have been a member for at least a year for certain high-demand bundles. It’s their way of keeping the eBay flippers at bay.