Eagerly anticipating the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders? While Nintendo officially announced pre-orders launching on April 24th with the console's price consistent across retailers, there's one major name missing from the list: Amazon.
Gamers looking to secure their next-gen console will find pre-orders readily available at GameStop, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. However, Amazon, a go-to for many for gaming pre-purchases, is notably absent from the Nintendo Switch 2 roll-out.
The Nintendo-Amazon Rift: A Timeline of Tension
The reasons behind Amazon's exclusion remain officially unconfirmed, fueling speculation about a continued dispute between Nintendo and the online retail giant. This apparent friction seems to have surfaced in 2023 when new Nintendo Switch game listings and pre-orders began disappearing from Amazon. This trend has unfortunately extended to Nintendo’s highly anticipated new hardware, meaning titles like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza are also likely to be unavailable for pre-order on the platform.
Potential Reasons Behind the Amazon Blackout
Several theories attempt to explain this ongoing situation:
- Street Date Violations: One prominent theory centers around Amazon's history of breaking street dates. Numerous instances of customers receiving pre-ordered games and products days, or even weeks, ahead of official release dates are well-documented. Nintendo, known for its strict adherence to street dates, likely views this as a significant breach of trust.
- Pricing Disagreements: Another theory suggests potential disagreements over pricing. It's speculated that Amazon might push for lower prices, and Nintendo may have resisted. This could have led to either Nintendo pulling its products or Amazon deciding not to list them if pricing demands weren't met. However, it's important to note this remains speculative within the gaming community.
Where to Secure Your Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-order
While the exact reasons for the Nintendo-Amazon situation may remain shrouded in mystery, the outcome is clear: Amazon is not the place to pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2. Gamers should instead turn to retailers like Best Buy, GameStop, Target, Walmart, or consider pre-ordering directly through Nintendo's official channels. Notably, Best Buy has already announced a midnight release, providing an opportunity for fans to get their hands on the console as early as possible.
