I skipped the Mario Kart Switch bundle, but I’m preordering the Nintendo Switch 2 for $449 at Walmart

The Mario Kart crowd had their moment — this one’s for the rest of us.
 By 
Christian Wait
 on 
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Nintendo Switch 2 on a RGB background
Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / Nintendo

PREORDER NOW: As of April 24, Nintendo Switch 2 is listed for preorder at Walmart for $449. It releases June 5 and comes with a larger HDR display, 4K dock, upgraded Joy-Cons, and 256GB of internal storage. This item is currently listed as "out of stock" but we expect more stock allocations throughout the day.


I’m not buying this for Mario Kart. I’ve played enough of that to last a lifetime. When Nintendo Switch 2 launches in June, I’m diving straight into Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom (again), but this time on hardware that can actually do them justice. I preordered the console at Walmart for $449, and I’m genuinely glad I did.

Given the current tariff mess and general chaos in the world of electronics pricing, I was bracing for a price hike. Instead, it landed at a reasonable $449. That’s surprisingly level-headed for what looks like a full generational refresh. Of course, that mercy doesn’t extend to the accessories, which are already priced like luxury goods. Need another set of Joy-Cons? Better hope you weren’t planning on groceries this week.

Specs-wise, this thing’s a solid leap forward. The 7.9-inch screen supports HDR and up to 120 fps, which makes it feel less like a handheld and more like a mini gaming monitor. The dock now outputs 4K if your TV can handle it, and GameChat lets you voice and video chat while playing. I might not use it, but it’s there, and that’s new.

Specifications:

  • Price: $449

  • Retailer: Walmart

  • Release Date: June 5

  • Display: 7.9-inch HDR LCD, up to 120 fps

  • Dock: 4K output when connected to a compatible TV

  • Voice Chat/Video: GameChat built-in

  • Storage: 256GB internal, expandable via microSD Express

  • Controllers: Joy-Con 2 with magnetic attachment and mouse input

  • Game Compatibility: Physical and digital Switch games

  • Multiplayer: Same-system, local wireless, and online

Storage is 256GB by default, and it supports microSD Express if you want to expand. The updated Joy-Con 2 controllers attach magnetically and add mouse control support. I’m not fully sure how that’ll play out in-game, but it’s an interesting shift.

So if you missed the Mario Kart bundle (or just weren’t interested) this preorder is a clean, modern alternative. In my opinion, this one’s built for the next wave of games, and it’s arriving right on time.

Topics Nintendo

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Christian Wait

Christian Wait is a freelance contributor to Mashable. Christian has countless years of gaming and tech journalism experience under his belt, and can usually be found in his office 3D printing or staring at Pokémon cards.

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