Nintendo Warns U.S. Customers: Switch 2 Delivery Not Guaranteed Due to High Demand

The long-anticipated delivery update from Nintendo is now live, cautioning U.S. fans about potential delays in receiving their Nintendo Switch 2 on launch day. This follows the company's earlier admission that demand would far outstrip supply in Japan, and now it seems American buyers are facing a similar fate.

In an official notice posted on its website, Nintendo informed those who have registered interest via the My Nintendo Store that it cannot guarantee arrival by June 5—the official release date of the console. As a result, invitation emails for purchases may arrive *after* the Switch 2 has officially launched. However, the company assured customers that once a purchase is made, your exact shipping date will be confirmed.

“Thank you to those of you who have already registered your interest in purchasing from My Nintendo Store,” the statement reads. “We're thrilled by the enthusiasm for Nintendo Switch 2! Due to the very high demand, we will be working diligently to fulfill orders as product becomes available, but delivery by June 5 is not guaranteed. Your invitation email may arrive after the Nintendo Switch 2 launch. We'll confirm your shipping date upon purchase.”

For those eager to get their hands on the console at launch, Nintendo is now suggesting pre-ordering through third-party retailers—though this advice comes with its own complications, as many retail listings have already sold out following the April 24 pre-order start date.

“If you wish to increase your opportunity of obtaining a Nintendo Switch 2 system at launch, please visit our participating retail partners above,” the message continues, linking to GameStop where the Switch 2 is currently unavailable. “If you wish to continue waiting for your invitation from My Nintendo Store, no further action is required after registering your interest.”

Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery

The difficulty fans faced when trying to secure a Switch 2 during the April 24 pre-order window, combined with this latest delivery warning, signals that acquiring the next-gen console could prove extremely challenging—at least in the early days post-launch.

Earlier in the week, Nintendo issued a similar heads-up to Japanese customers, stating that a large number of buyers would miss out on direct pre-orders. In a public message on X (formerly Twitter), Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa revealed that over 2.2 million people had applied for a Switch 2 through the My Nintendo Store in Japan alone—a figure that "far exceeds our expectations, and far exceeds the number of Nintendo Switch 2 consoles that can be delivered from the My Nintendo Store on June 5,” he explained.

According to the official FAQ page on Nintendo’s site, the first wave of U.S. invitations will begin rolling out on May 8, 2025, and additional batches will follow periodically until general availability opens up to all interested buyers.

Initial invites will go out on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible registrants who meet specific priority criteria:

• You must have purchased any Nintendo Switch Online membership yourself
• You must have held a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership for at least 12 months
• You must have opted in to share gameplay data and logged a minimum of 50 total gameplay hours

Once invited, users will have exactly 72 hours from the time the email is sent to complete their purchase—so timing and readiness are crucial.

Which Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Title Are You Most Excited For?

Last week, Nintendo confirmed that Switch 2 pre-orders would officially open in the U.S. on April 24, 2025, and that the base model would remain priced at $449.99 with a June 5 launch date. The Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle will stay at $499.99, while both the physical and digital versions of Mario Kart World ($79.99) and Donkey Kong Bananza ($69.99) will maintain their prices at launch. However, due to ongoing global tariff issues, Nintendo did raise the pricing on select Switch 2 accessories.

Originally set to open on April 9, the pre-order window was delayed to allow Nintendo time to assess the financial impact of tariffs and shifting market conditions before proceeding.

If you’re planning to pre-order a Nintendo Switch 2, a GameCube controller, or any launch titles and accessories, make sure to check back regularly on our [ttpp] guide for the latest updates and tips. You can also find more information on how to improve your chances of securing a Nintendo Switch 2 on day one via our dedicated guide.