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Walmart was scheduled to open Switch 2 pre-orders first in Canada—but Nintendo delayed them

Walmart was scheduled to open Canadian Switch 2 pre-orders first, but Nintendo postponed the April 9 window. Here are the corrected date, retailer plans, prices, and practical buying details.

By VGSources Team 3 min read
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Walmart Canada announced a 12:01 a.m. ET online pre-order opening for Nintendo Switch 2 on April 9, 2025, ahead of the noon window reported for Best Buy and GameStop’s online channel. That plan never became the final Canadian schedule: Nintendo postponed retail pre-orders, set April 24 as the official replacement date, and kept the June 5 launch unchanged.

The original Walmart announcement was therefore a report of the earliest planned slot—not proof that Walmart ultimately processed Canadian orders before every other retailer.

What Walmart announced

On April 4, 2025, Walmart Canada said its Switch 2 pre-orders would open online at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on April 9. The retailer described the opening as online-only and limited purchases to one console per household. Had that window gone ahead, it would have preceded the noon Eastern opening reported for Best Buy and GameStop’s online store by roughly 12 hours.

“Before other Canadian stores” referred to Walmart’s announced start time. It did not establish earlier delivery, earlier in-store availability, or guaranteed fulfillment. The announcement was reported by MobileSyrup.

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#1 Best Overall
Nintendo Switch 2 System
  • The next evolution of Nintendo Switch
  • One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
  • Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
  • Dock that supports 4K when connected to a compatible TV*
  • GameChat** lets you voice chat, share your game screen, and connect via video chat as you play

How the initially reported retailer schedules compared

Retailer Method reported on April 4 Planned timing Qualification
Walmart Canada Online pre-order April 9, 12:01 a.m. ET Online-only; one console per household
GameStop Canada / EB Games In-store and online Stores at opening; online at noon ET Opening hours varied, particularly at mall locations
Best Buy Canada Online pre-order April 9, noon ET Reported as online-only
Nintendo Canada Direct purchase route Separate procedure Reported to involve Nintendo Account or Nintendo ID-related verification

Every April 9 timing in that table was superseded by Nintendo’s later postponement. GameStop’s physical-store option was distinct from Walmart’s announced online-only route, so local stock and store hours could differ even while a national pre-order window was open.

Why the April 9 pre-orders were delayed

On April 8, the Walmart report was updated to say Nintendo Canada had delayed Canadian retail pre-orders and that April 9 would not proceed. Nintendo’s April 18 announcement established the replacement date as April 24, 2025.

Nintendo apologized for the delay but did not provide a detailed operational explanation in that announcement. It did not identify tariffs, inventory allocation, payment systems, demand management, or another specific cause. Those explanations should not be treated as confirmed facts.

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Nintendo Switch 2 System with Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 Bundle
  • The next evolution of the Nintendo Switch system
  • One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
  • Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
  • Supports up to 4K resolution** when using a compatible game and TV connected via the included Nintendo Switch 2 dock
  • Nintendo Switch 2 plays compatible physical and digital Nintendo Switch games.***

The launch date did not move

The postponement affected pre-order timing, not the product launch. Nintendo kept the Canadian release date at June 5, 2025. The official announcement and pricing details are available at Nintendo Canada.

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Canadian prices confirmed by Nintendo

Nintendo’s April 18 announcement listed these Canadian manufacturer’s suggested retail prices. They are not all-in totals: applicable provincial or territorial taxes, shipping, retailer fees, and discounts are separate.

Product Canadian MSRP
Nintendo Switch 2 console $629.99
Nintendo Switch 2 with Mario Kart World $699.99
Mario Kart World (standalone) $109.99
Donkey Kong Bananza $99.99
Switch 2 Pro Controller $109.99
Joy-Con 2 pair $124.99
Switch 2 Camera $69.99
Carrying case and screen protector $49.99
256GB Samsung microSD Express card $84.99
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What shoppers needed for a high-demand pre-order window

  • Create or sign in to retailer accounts before the opening time.
  • Save Canadian shipping and payment information in advance.
  • Use the retailer’s Canadian website and check the time zone: 12:01 a.m. ET is not the same local clock time across Canada.
  • Expect queues, checkout errors, changing stock indicators, and cart failures. A product page or cart entry does not reserve a console.
  • Keep the confirmation email and order number after submitting payment.
  • Read the retailer’s cancellation, pickup, delivery, and return terms.
  • Avoid inflated marketplace listings that do not establish inventory, fulfillment, or warranty coverage.

What a pre-order does—and does not—guarantee

These are separate milestones: adding a console to a cart, submitting an order, receiving an order confirmation, receiving a shipment notice, and receiving the console on launch day. An accepted pre-order can still be assigned to a later shipment, and a retailer’s household limit does not itself guarantee launch-day delivery.

Rank #3
Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle with Bonus HDMI Cable & Screen Cleaning Cloth
  • 【Ultimate Nintendo Switch 2 Bundle – Ready to Play】Includes the complete Nintendo Switch 2 console and a full-game download of Mario Kart World, so you can start racing right out of the box. Perfect for gamers of all ages and playstyles.
  • 【Next-Gen Hybrid Gaming with Stunning Visuals】Experience a vivid 7.9‑inch 1080p LCD touchscreen with HDR support, and enjoy 4K TV output at up to 60 fps when docked — for immersive gameplay at home or on the go.
  • 【Versatile 3 Play Modes】Seamlessly switch between Handheld, Tabletop, and TV modes — all featuring intuitive controls and smooth performance, wherever you choose to play.
  • 【Enhanced Social Gaming with GameChat & Multiplayer】Connect with friends locally, enjoy online multiplayer with up to 24 players, and use voice chat via GameChat (internet connection and Nintendo Switch Online membership required after trial period).
  • 【Powerful Storage & Joy‑Con 2 Controllers】Includes 256 GB internal storage (expandable with microSD), magnetic Joy‑Con 2 controllers, docking station, HDMI cable, AC adapter, grip, and straps — everything you need for the ultimate gaming setup.

Where the story stands now

The event is historical. As of August 16, 2026, Nintendo’s Canadian Switch 2 page listed the system at a $629.99 MSRP and noted that actual prices may vary. Check current availability at Nintendo Canada, Walmart Canada, Best Buy Canada, and GameStop Canada rather than relying on the 2025 pre-order timetable.

The Bottom Line

Walmart had the earliest announced Canadian Switch 2 pre-order slot—12:01 a.m. ET on April 9, 2025—but Nintendo canceled that schedule before it occurred. April 24 became the official Canadian retail pre-order date, while the June 5 launch remained unchanged.

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Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Nintendo Switch 2 System
Nintendo Switch 2 System
The next evolution of Nintendo Switch; One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
$499.00
Bestseller No. 2
Nintendo Switch 2 System with Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 Bundle
Nintendo Switch 2 System with Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 Bundle
The next evolution of the Nintendo Switch system; One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
$568.00

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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