Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders live: UK stock recently live at The Game Collection, US updates, and all the best retailers and links to check

Hello – Jacob Krol here, taking things over, and we’re still on Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order watch! I’ve been checking links of the main retailers in the US and UK, and thus far, there’s been little to no movement. But as I’ve said, and Rob, and my other colleagues, it can’t hurt to check and refresh a few times.

The other big question is when Amazon might open pre-orders, but there is no news yet.

Goodbye from me!

We’re going to be continuing our Switch 2 pre-order stock hunting coverage, but I’m departing for the time being.

Best of luck Switch 2 hunters, and it’s over to my colleague Jacob to take over.

Code in box releases are still a thing (sorry)

With all the fuss surrounding Game-Key card releases, you might have assumed that the infamous code-in-box releases from the Nintendo Switch era might be no more.

If you need a quick refresher, that’s when you get what is effectively an empty retail box with a download code printed inside. While we at TRG don’t really mind these too much, as they’re often quite cheap, critics argue that packaging a digital item leads to pointless waste, which is a more than fair point.

As the codes can only be redeemed once, you can’t sell code-in-box releases after you’ve used them either – which is a massive shame.

Unfortunately, it appears as though the format will continue to be around in the next console generation as some listings have indicated that the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 port of Split Fiction will be a code-in-box release, rather than a Game-Key card or traditional game card.

I have returned!

I am indeed back! Thanks to Dash for holding the fort for a bit.

Where are we at then? Well, you guessed it, stock is light, but here are all the pertinent links to check right now on both sides of the Atlantic.

US links

UK links

And with that, it looks like Rob is back to take the lead once again.

Good luck with your Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order efforts, everyone. I’m sure I’ll be back again soon!

Fancy one Joy-Con 2 in particular?

Treat your favorite hand to its own Joy-Con 2 controller, as individual variants are up for pre-order at The Game Collection in the UK.

You can choose between either the right Joy-Con 2, or the left one. They cost £44.95 each, which is less than a pair up front but works out a little more expensive if you end up buying two individually.

Even so, these listings might come in handy if you lose one of your Joy-Con 2 around launch day – or just fancy a spare to keep on standby.

Anyone here a lover of (American) football? If that’s you, then you might be glad to hear that the next Madden game, EA Sports Madden NFL 26, is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 – and it’s available to pre-order right now!

If you’re keen to pick it up, then there are a few options in both the US and UK. In the US, I’d recommend going with Best Buy – which is currently offering a promotional $10 Best Buy e-gift card when your order is fulfilled, perfect if you frequently shop at the store.

There are no deals like this in the UK, sadly, but you can still find the game at its retail price at Amazon.

Bad news everyone, there has been no real stock movement to report.

There’s nowhere in the US and UK where you can buy a Nintendo Switch 2 right now, but that doesn’t mean that you should give up hope!

We’re expecting a little more stock to become available over the next few days, so hopefully there will be some more chances to buy.

Hello gamers! It’s Dash here to pick things up now that Rob is away.

If you’ve been keeping up with our live coverage so far then you’ll know the drill by now.

I’m going to spend a few moments assessing the stock situation, and will be back shortly with an update…

Right, I’m off for a small break and my colleague Dash might step in for a little while in the meantime!

Catch you in a bit!

Top tips for securing stock

If you’re going to spend any amount of time today trying to secure a Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order, then we’ve got six pieces of expert advice from Hardware Editor Rhys Wood, who managed to bag a pre-order on day one in the UK, to keep in mind.

From which version of the console to buy, and why you should sign up for retailer mailing lists or potentially even turn up to your favorite store in person, this could make the difference between triumphant success and crushing failure in today’s pre-order frenzy.

See everything that you need to know below.

The Game Collection is still worth a visit for accessories and games in the UK

It might have sold out of that Switch 2 console bundle earlier today, but The Game Collection is extremely well stocked on Switch 2 accessories and games, and you’d be hard pushed to find a better, more all-encompassing place to shop for the new console right now…

Is Amazon US getting into gear – finally?

Is Amazon US finally up to something? It’s got a bunch of Switch 2 game preorders up now, which is excellent, and potentially revealing…

What happens now in the UK?

Well, we’re back to square one. The best we can do is hope for now, and keep checking the below links to see if you get lucky!

It’s gone! Boooooo

As sure as day follows night, the Switch 2 pre-order stock that was there has now changed to being not there.

Here’s the link to camp on for a bit longer though – it’s always worth doing that to see if stock flashes back or any other orders are cancelled and stock gets released.

• Nintendo Switch 2 + Carry Case & Screen Protector + Samsung 256GB microSD Express card + Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition + Hitman: World of Assassination Signature Edition: £589.95 at The Game Collection

This is seriously excellent news

When it all looked so bleak and barren this is superb news from The Game Collection. I cannot recommend highly enough just going for this right now if you’re keen to go big!

• Nintendo Switch 2 + Carry Case & Screen Protector + Samsung 256GB microSD Express card + Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition + Hitman: World of Assassination Signature Edition: £589.95 at The Game Collection

We have stock in the UK!

There’s stock in the UK right now! The Game Collection has come up with the goods again, and has resurfaced one of its CuberPunk and Hitman bundles! Go go go!

• Nintendo Switch 2 + Carry Case & Screen Protector + Samsung 256GB microSD Express card + Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition + Hitman: World of Assassination Signature Edition: £589.95 at The Game Collection

Good morning!

Hello once again from me, Rob, to you, Switch 2 pre-order hunters! Another day brings another dayu of business hours for us to hopefuly spy some stock.

Let’s get into it and start doing the rounds for you – but feel free to check those links above as always.

Signing off for now

Well folks, it looks like the day is over as far as restocks are concerned. We’ll continue to keep a close eye on availability, but for now, this is Marcus Mears III signing off from Dallas Texas.

We’ll see you tomorrow morning when we pick back up with live coverage in the UK!

GameStop offers trade-in value for the Nintendo Switch

Are you looking to upgrade from the original Nintendo Switch to the Switch 2? If that’s the case, GameStop might be your best bet at scoring a good deal.

The games giant is offering trade in value on your old hardware, up to $175 off, towards a Switch 2 pre-order. That’s a pretty sizable chunk off the $450 asking price, and a welcome departure from the “best we can do is $6.74” response you usually get for trade-ins.

As we continue to look for any Switch 2 restocks, it’s a good idea to make sure you have your storage needs in order. The new Switch 2 uses microSD Express cards (whereas the first Switch used microSDXC) and you can pick one up at a few places now if you’re in the UK or at Walmart in the US.

Samsung micro SD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2: Argos | EE | The Game Collection | ShopTo | My Nintendo Store | Game

Samsung micro SD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2: $59 at Walmart

Well, unfortunately it doesn’t look like any more Switch 2 units have hit the shelves just yet. If you’ve already signed up for email notifications on pre-order pages, there’s not much else to do but wait.

In the meantime, while we wait for more stock to pop up, check out our Nintendo Switch 2 hands-on review. It gives some excellent insight into how the Switch 2 feels in comparison to the original Nintendo Switch, and pricey games aside, there’s a lot to love.

Hello there, Jacob Krol stepping in – and Marcus Mears III, Computing Reviews and Buying Guides Editor for TechRadar shortly – to help keep track of pre-orders for the much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 in the US and the UK.

As Rob’s been checking, it’s still quiet on nearly all fronts for the consoles themselves. But if you’re after accessories, you’re in luck!

Stick with us, as we keep our fingers crossed and constantly refresh.

Handing over to my esteemed US colleague for now…

It’s bye from me now as I hand over the live coverage baton to my esteemed colleague Jake!

I’ll be here once again soon enough to continue the Switch 2 pre-order stock hunting train!

Bye for now!

These deals aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on

Given the stock shortages, we’ve seen our old friends the scalpers trying their luck on eBay, in particular.

However, some eBay users have taken a stand to prevent scalpers and resellers from showing up in search results on the platform by selling printed out images of the console or proof of someone else’s pre-order.

“”*THIS IS A LISTING TO PREVENT BOTS/RESELLERS ABSOLUTELY NO REFUNDS**You are purchasing a picture of my pre-order, and a picture of a switch two console. NOT THE ACTUAL SYSTEM AGAIN TO PREVENT BOTS AND RESELLERS*” reads the description of one such item on the site.

I would never recommend buying from resellers, but if you do intend to go that route (seriously, I really wouldn’t do it), at least make sure that what you’re buying isn’t paper-thin. Literally.

Walmart’s got plenty of games and accessories

While its Switch 2 listing page has disappeared, Walmart is leading the way on having a good amount of accessories and games up for pre-order – though it looks like the Switch 2 Pro Controller has sold out there, sadly. Otherwise, there’s so much to browse and get stuck into.

A similar situation in the UK

The same is occurring in the UK too with no retailer offering stock, or having offered stock for ages now. The Game Collection might be worth keeping tabs on as the most recent stocker, and Currys might be worth a click too.

Anyway back to the actual stock checking…

Yup, it’s not good news, I’m afraid.

The US is dry everywhere, and the only other change I can see to websites is Newegg removing the ‘auto notification’ signup button from its Switch 2 pages…

Which retailers to watch – US

I have two picks for retailers to watch in the US. Though one is more evidence-based than the other.

First, the more exciting one. Much like Currys in the UK, Antonline was previously very quiet and barely had a mention of the Switch 2 across its site. Now, Antonline has fully come to the party in terms of active listings and hub pages. This, again, surely must indicate some imminent action.

The other retailer is Amazon US. Seriously, where the heck has Amazon US been? Has it not been able to secure stock for one of the most anticipated products of the year?

That would be wild. I just can’t believe that the massive retailer is happy to sit by and watch its direct competitors hoover up all the delicious sales. As a result, I’m still convinced that Amazon US (and UK, to be frank) will come to the party with a bang soon.

Which retailers to watch first – UK

While things remain quiet, my top bet for the UK retailer potentially most likely to break that silence is Currys.

The UK electronics giant has been very quiet online for Switch 2 pre-orders – it has been taking in-store pre-orders however. Until recently.

Last week I noticed that it had got its house in order and actually had dedicated listing pages for the console and Mario Kart World bundle. Now, it’s even got pages up for games and accessories too.

Me thinks this is a good sign and stock will drop soon. Fingers crossed.

Hello and welcome!

Greetings Switch 2 pre-order hunters, and welcome to our live running coverage of the pre-order and stock situation.

We’re here to do the donkey work for you and present all the best links to check, information on availabity, and the latest stock updates on all Switch 2 hardware and software.

Sadly, the situation hasn’t been great these past few days, but here’s hoping it changes rapidly.