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Sam Rutherford for Engadget
Walmart has confirmed that the Switch 2 will be available on its site tonight at 9PM ET, but the first hour of availability will only be open to paid Walmart+ members. So, in order to potentially add the new Nintendo console to your cart, you'll need to be a full Walmart+ member (free trial members aren't eligible).
The good news? That privilege will only cost you $13 per month (or $98, if you want to take the plunge for a full year). That's not bad when you consider that opting for the Switch 2 from third-party retailers on Walmart will set you back almost $800. And in addition to granting early access to hard-to-find items like the Switch 2, Walmart+ includes several perks including free delivery (including grocery and pharmacy items), discounts on gas purchases and even a complementary Paramount+ subscription.
Walmart
Walmart will be offering both the baseline $449 Switch 2 and the $499 Mario Kart World bundle. If you're interested in taking the plunge, we'd recommend getting the Walmart Plus sign-up out of the way now, and then returning to the site 10 minutes before the clock hits 9PM (6PM Pacific). Of course, you can wait around to see if any are still available by 10PM, but we wouldn't hold our breath.
If you're looking for other Switch 2 vendors, check out our full Switch 2 retailer roundup.