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TL;DR: The Short film Archiveshighly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5. If you missed out on preorders, you might want to try your luck in person at the following retailers: Best Buy, Target, Staples, GameStop, Costco, Sam's Club, and Walmart.

The entire lead-up to the release of the Nintendo Switch 2 has been a mess. President Trump's tariffs delayed the initial preorder, then all the major retailers' websites crashed (shocker) once preorders opened. Even if you did manage to secure a preorder, there's a good chance it was canceled with no explanation. Demand is high, and it seems that many retailers may have oversold their stock and then were forced to backtrack. So, how the heck can you get your hands on the Nintendo Switch 2? Try heading to a local chain retailer like the good old days.

Here's where you can buy the Nintendo Switch 2 in person on launch day (June 5). We recommend arriving early and bringing a camping chair (at the very least).

Best Buy

Opening time: 12:01 a.m. ET

Most Best Buy stores will have a limited stock of consoles available for in-person purchase, starting at midnight ET on June 5. Stores will be open for two hours and will be giving away a limited-edition collectible coin. Check out the retailer's Switch 2 landing page to see if your local store is participating in the late-night launch.

Target

Opening time: 8:00 a.m. local time

Rather than doing a late-night event, Target stores will open at their usual time on June 5 (typically 8 a.m.). Switch 2 hopefuls can line up as early as they please "in the designated queuing location" near the store entrance. Target employees will hand out a limited number of reservation tickets to the first in line, so be sure to get there well before the store opens. If you're lucky enough to receive a reservation ticket, you'll be directed to the electronics department once it opens, where you'll be able to purchase one Switch 2 or Switch 2 bundle. For more information, check out Target's press release.

Staples

Opening time: 8:00 a.m. local time

Select Staples stores will have the Switch 2 and an unspecified Switch game bundle on a first-come, first-served basis starting on June 5. Most locations open at 8:00 a.m. and there's a limit of one console per customer. See the Staples Switch 2 landing page for participating retailers.

GameStop

Opening time: 3:00 p.m. local time (June 4)

Head to your local GameStop location for a midnight launch party of the Nintendo Switch 2. The event starts at 3 p.m. local time on June 4, so be sure to plan accordingly. Some store locations will be giving away a free can of Red Bull to GameStop Pro members. Head to the GameStop events page for participating retailers.

Sam's Club

Opening time: 10:00 a.m. local time

The Walmart-owned warehouse club will have limited Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World Bundles available on June 5. You must be a Sam's Club member to purchase, and stock is first-come, first-served. Not a member? There's still time to sign up and get 50% off your first year.

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• Parents: Check out these new parental controls for Nintendo Switch 2

Costco

Opening time: 10:00 a.m. local time

Similar to Sam's Club, Costco will have the Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart Bundle with a 12-month Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership available on June 5 for Costco members only on a first-come, first-served basis. The retailer will also have the Switch 2 Pro controller on launch day.

Walmart

Opening time: 12:00 a.m. ET for Supercenters across PST/MST/Hawaii/Alaska, 6:00 a.m. ET for CT/ET

Walmart said in an Instagram post that it will have consoles for purchase at midnight ET on June 5 in Supercenters across Pacific, Mountain, Hawaii, and Alaska regions of the U.S. and at 6:00 a.m. local time for stores in Central and Eastern regions. However, stock is limited and inventory will vary by location.

Wherever you decide to go, be sure to check in with the store ahead of time to ensure it has Switch 2s in stock and to see what time you can start lining up. Be prepared to arrive early and wait in line if you don't have a preorder. It'll be like waiting in line to buy concert tickets in the ’90s, aka the good old days. Just remember that stocks are very limited, so don't get your hopes too high. If you're 100th in line, you might want to check a different retailer.

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