Nintendo Switch 2 It's finally official, and while we still don't know when anyone will be able to own the new console, we do know when some lucky people will be able to try it out for themselves. Nintendo carrying out practical activities starting April 4 through June, where you'll be able to try Switch 2 for yourself in select cities in North America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia.
You can register for the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience event starting today, January 17th, from 3:00 pm ET/12:00 pm PT until January 26th at 11:59 pm local time for each event location. If you plan to sign up, you must be at least 18 years old and have either a free Nintendo Account or a Nintendo Family Account if you plan to work in a group. There's no need for any paid membership to Nintendo Switch Online, and you won't have to worry about family members under six having an account as long as they're accompanied by an adult who has an account.
Nintendo says practical event is set to last two hours and 20 minutes, but did not reveal what ticket holders will actually be able to experience during the event. Maybe some Mario Kart?
It's also important to emphasize that visiting Nintendo's website and registering for tickets does not mean you will actually be able to attend. Nintendo calls this process a drawing because participants or groups of participants are selected at random. Registering early does not guarantee that you will have a better chance of getting in.
Where are Nintendo Switch 2 Experience Events Held?
Nintendo is holding Switch 2 events over approximately three days in each city, although hands-on locations have only been announced in the first three cities.
In North America, you will be able to register for the labs:
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New York, April 4–6, 2025, Center415.
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Los Angeles, April 11–13, 2025, Television City.
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Dallas, April 25-27, 2025, Embarcadero Building in Fair Park.
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Toronto, April 25-27
For events in Europe you can choose from:
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Paris, April 4-6, 2025
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London, 11–13 April 2025
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Milan, April 25-27, 2025
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Berlin, 25-27 April 2025
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Madrid, 9–11 May 2025
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Amsterdam, 9–11 May 2025
There is only one event venue in Oceania:
Finally, in Asia you will be able to choose from:
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Tokyo (Makuhari), April 26-27, 2025
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Seoul, May 31 – June 1, 2025
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Hong Kong, TBA
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Taipei, TBA
How to Register a Nintendo Account
If you want to sign up to try out Switch 2, you'll need a Nintendo Account, and if you don't already have one, it's pretty easy to set up.
Go to Nintendo Account Website to start. Then click “Create a new Nintendo Account.” From there, enter your date of birth and decide whether you want to create your account using an existing Google or Apple account, or by entering your information from scratch.
If you choose the latter, enter your nickname, email address, date of birth, country of residence, and time zone. Then agree to the User Agreement and Nintendo's Privacy Policy by checking the appropriate boxes and click “Submit”. You will receive a verification code via email, which you should then enter in the empty verification code field and click “Confirm”. Once you do this, you'll be done.
The process is similar if you are using an Apple or Google account. Nintendo will ask you to enter your nickname, date of birth, country of residence, and time zone. You also need to agree to the User Agreement and Privacy Policy and submit the verification code. The key difference is that once you do this, you can use your Apple or Google account to sign in instead of your email.
How to Add a Child to a Nintendo Account Family Group
If you're planning on testing out the Switch 2 with younger friends or family members who aren't old enough to have their own Nintendo Account, you can create one for them in the Family Nintendo Account group.
First you need to log into your account Nintendo Account. Then click on “Family Group” and then “Add Member”. From there, you can select “Create an account for a child.” Enter your child's date of birth, then enter your Nintendo Account password and click OK.
You'll then need to enter your nickname, subaccount login ID (essentially your username), and login password. Agree to the User Agreement and Privacy Policy, then click “Submit” and then “OK” to create your account.
Update January 17, 2:20 pm ET: Added information about the duration of use of the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience.