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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 reported noon timing at Best Buy and GameStop. That window never went ahead as planned: Nintendo postponed Canadian retail pre-orders, set April 24 as the official replacement date, and kept the June 5 launch date unchanged.
The original Walmart announcement was therefore an advance schedule—not proof that Walmart ultimately processed Canadian orders before every other retailer.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Nintendo Switch 2 System | $499.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Nintendo Switch 2 System with Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 Bundle | $568.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle with Bonus HDMI Cable & Screen Cleaning Cloth | $619.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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What Walmart announced
On April 4, 2025, Walmart Canada said its Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders would open online at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on April 9. The announcement described the first window as online-only and limited purchases to one console per household. At the announced time, Walmart would have opened roughly 12 hours before the noon online windows reported for Best Buy and GameStop.
“Before other Canadian stores” referred to that planned start time. It did not establish earlier shipment, store pickup, or guaranteed launch-day delivery. Source: MobileSyrup’s April 4 report.
#1 Best Overall
- 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 reported retailer schedules compared
| Retailer | Planned method | Reported timing | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart Canada | Online pre-order | April 9, 12:01 a.m. ET | Online-only; one console per household; later superseded |
| GameStop Canada / EB Games | In-store and online | Stores at opening; online at noon ET | Store hours, especially in malls, varied; later superseded |
| Best Buy Canada | Online pre-order | April 9, noon ET | Reported schedule; later superseded |
| Nintendo Canada | Direct purchase process | Separate procedure | The report described Nintendo Account or Nintendo ID-related verification; exact eligibility requirements should be checked against Nintendo’s applicable instructions |
All April 9 timings in this table came from the original retailer schedule and were overtaken by Nintendo’s postponement. Source: MobileSyrup.
Why the Canadian pre-order date changed
On April 8, the Walmart report was updated to say Nintendo Canada had delayed Canadian pre-orders and that April 9 would not proceed. Nintendo’s April 18 announcement then established April 24, 2025 as the new Canadian retail pre-order date.
Nintendo apologized but did not provide, in that announcement, a detailed operational reason such as tariffs, inventory allocation, payment systems, or demand management. Those explanations should not be treated as confirmed facts. Source: Nintendo Canada’s April 18 announcement.
Rank #2
- 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.***
What did not change: the launch date
The postponement affected the retail pre-order schedule, not the release date. Nintendo said Switch 2 would still launch in Canada on June 5, 2025.
Canadian prices announced by Nintendo
The following were Canadian manufacturer’s suggested retail prices in Nintendo’s April 18 announcement. They are not all-in totals: applicable provincial or territorial sales taxes, shipping charges, and retailer fees may be additional.
| Product | Canadian MSRP |
|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch 2 console | $629.99 |
| Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle | $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 |
Source: Nintendo Canada.
What shoppers should have prepared for a high-demand window
- Create retailer accounts in advance and sign in before the opening time.
- Save Canadian shipping and payment details ahead of time.
- Use the retailer’s Canadian website and convert the announced Eastern Time to your local clock.
- Expect queues, changing stock indicators, cart errors, and checkout failures.
- Do not treat a product page or cart addition as a reservation; inventory is not secured until the retailer accepts the order.
- Keep the confirmation email and order number, then review cancellation, pickup, delivery, and return terms.
- Avoid inflated marketplace listings before launch, particularly where the seller, fulfillment method, or warranty is unclear.
What a pre-order does—and does not—guarantee
These are separate milestones:
- Cart: the console is placed in a shopping cart, but another shopper may still obtain the inventory.
- Submitted order: checkout information is sent to the retailer.
- Order confirmation: the retailer acknowledges the order; duplicate-order rules can still lead to cancellation.
- Shipment notice: the retailer has created a shipping event, which is not the same as delivery.
- Launch-day arrival: the console reaches you on June 5; neither the cited Walmart schedule nor Nintendo’s announcement guaranteed this outcome.
Retailers may allocate different quantities to shipping and store pickup, so an accepted pre-order should not be described as a guaranteed launch-day console.
Rank #3
- 【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 April 9, 2025 Walmart window is historical. As of August 16, 2026, Nintendo’s Canadian Switch 2 page lists the system at a $629.99 MSRP and notes that actual prices may vary. Check current inventory and terms directly at Nintendo Canada, Walmart Canada, Best Buy Canada, or GameStop Canada.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThe accurate historical takeaway is simple: Walmart announced the earliest reported Canadian retail slot, but Nintendo canceled the April 9 schedule before it occurred and moved Canadian retail pre-orders to April 24.
Quick Recap
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.
