Nintendo has warned of possible delays in the delivery of the Switch 2 in North America, as stores have already sold out

The day is finally here — Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders officially opened earlier today in North America. While the next-gen console is scheduled to launch on June 5, eager fans who signed up in advance via Nintendo’s official site may find themselves waiting longer than expected to get their hands on the system.

Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders will struggle

As anticipated, Nintendo issued a delivery warning to fans in the U.S., following earlier statements that it would struggle to meet demand in Japan. In an update posted to its website, the company cautioned that delivery by release date is not guaranteed, even for those who registered interest early.

“Thank you to those of you who have already registered your interest in purchasing from My Nintendo Store,” Nintendo’s statement read. “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.”

You may not get an email to buy even if you signed up for one before launch day. According to the updated pre-order page, some users who registered with the My Nintendo Store might not receive access to purchase until well past the release date.

That said, Nintendo reminded fans that they don’t need to take additional steps if they’re willing to wait: “If you wish to continue waiting for your invitation from My Nintendo Store, no further action is required after registering your interest.”

A hard to find item

In the meantime, retailers such as GameStop, Walmart, Best Buy, and Target also offered the console for pre-order. The standard model is priced at $450, while a $500 Mario Kart World bundle was also available — but both are currently sold out at most locations.

All signs suggest the Switch 2 will be difficult to buy around launch, with high demand and limited inventory echoing similar struggles seen in Japan earlier this week. There, Nintendo warned that a “significant” number of customers may miss out on pre-orders altogether.

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