Amid all the Nintendo Switch 2 release window hoopla, one of the more peculiar developments has been the lack of unit availability over on Amazon’s US storefront. Where the likes of GameStop, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, and even Costco offered pre-orders and day-one stock for lucky in-store purchasers, the e-commerce giant has remained conspicuously absent from the Switch 2 launch cycle.

This lack of Switch 2 hardware goes beyond the console itself: aside from the soon-to-be-released Donkey Kong Banaza title, first-party and third-party launch games are largely absent from Amazon.com, as are official peripherals like the Switch 2 Pro Controller and the Switch 2 Camera.

Speculation of a falling out between Amazon and Nintendo has been discussed in the days since the console’s June 5 launch, and a new Bloomberg report has managed to muddy the waters even more. According to the report, Nintendo deliberately chose not to allow the stocking of Switch 2 consoles on Amazon, in order to neutralize the threat of third-party retailers importing international units and selling them in the US at discounted rates.

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Further, Amazon reportedly offered Nintendo a compromise in the form of a ‘sold directly by Nintendo’ disclaimer label on Switch 2 products, which never materialized. As such, the existing product pages for the Switch 2 on Amazon simply display a 404 error message on screen when accessed, with no further explanation of timeframe on possible availability.

Here comes the confusing part: In a statement to Tom’s Hardware, a Nintendo representative stated that “there is no such fact,” and that “we do not disclose details of negotiations or contracts with retailers.” Amazon, for its part, has since pushed back against the Boomberg report as well, with a spokesperson saying that “Amazon is pleased to offer Nintendo products directly to our customers as part of our commitment to providing an exceptional shopping experience with the widest selection possible” (via IGN).

4K Capability

Yes

Brand

Nintendo

Screen

7.9-inch 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution LCD, HDR, 120Hz refresh rate (4K/60fps 3840 x 2160 pixel resolution when docked)

Game support

Switch 2, Switch 2 Edition, Switch

Storage

256GB (expandable with microSD Express cards)

CPU

Custom NVIDIA processor

Nintendo’s Switch 2 features a more powerful chip, a higher resolution screen, and upgraded Joy-Cons.

The Switch 2 is selling well, despite not being available in the US through Amazon

Who knows what will change in the future

On the surface, at least, both companies appear to be playing it cool, with no outward animosity or bad blood on display for the public to bear witness to. In due time, I’m sure additional (and possibly very juicy) details will emerge. I also presume that it’s only a matter of time before the Nintendo Switch 2, complete with games and accessories, lands on Amazon’s US online storefront in full force.

If nothing else, the lack of Amazon availability during the Switch 2’s launch period doesn’t appear to be impacting sales negatively. In fact, Nintendo has confirmed that its second-generation Switch gaming hybrid is shattering sales records. The product reportedly sold 3.5 million units in its first four days of availability, making it the fastest-selling Nintendo console of all time. With Prime Day 2025 just around the corner, here’s hoping the Switch 2 makes its Amazon debut sooner rather than later.

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