You can finally buy the Nintendo Switch 2 in the US — or rather, try to buy. The $450 console officially went up for sale at midnight ET on June 5, and several retailers have offered the device both online and in-store in the days since. That said, online stock dried up fairly quickly at most stores last week and remains highly limited as of Monday morning. Walmart briefly resumed sales late Friday night, and you may be able to grab a bundle at Costco if you’re a member there, but it’s slim pickings beyond that as of this writing. Wider restocks will happen at some point, though exact timing isn't clear.

Broadly speaking, people had a bit more luck on launch week by venturing to a physical retail store. We can’t guarantee you’ll still be able to snag a Switch 2 the old-fashioned way, but it’s worth checking if a local Target, Best Buy, Walmart or GameStop — the four official retailers Nintendo lists on its store page — still has consoles in stock. Either way, if you’re still on the hunt, we’ve rounded up all of the latest information we could find on how to buy the Nintendo Switch 2 and where you can pick one up.

Where to buy the Nintendo Switch 2

Walmart opened up online purchases at midnight ET on June 5, but the console alone and Nintendo's Mario Kart World bundle are out of stock as our latest update. Both SKUs briefly returned around 11:30PM ET on June 6, but we haven't seen much since then. Naturally, the world's largest retailer is also selling the console at its brick-and-mortar locations, though the company has noted that quantities are limited and inventory will vary by location.

Target began selling the Switch 2 in stores on June 5, then restocked its online inventory for at least a couple of hours starting around 3:30AM ET on June 6. It appears to be fully out of stock as we write this, but again you should still look into the locations closest to you for in-store availability just to be safe.

GameStop has advertised in-store availability, though exactly how much stock your local store may have will vary by location. Online, the device has been unavailable for most of the past few days. We've seen a $625 bundle that includes Mario Kart World, a microSD Express card and a few other accessories pop up a bit more frequently than the standard SKUs, though it's sold out now (and kind of a raw deal anyway). Still, it may be one to bookmark if you can stomach the extra cost. The listings for the base console and Mario Kart bundle, meanwhile, now point to a "Find a Store" page.

Best Buy said it'd have limited stock at its retail locations starting June 5. It previously confirmed it would not sell the console online during launch week, however, and that remains the case as of Monday morning.

You may still have some luck at certain membership-based retailers. A Mario Kart World bundle at Costco that includes a 12-month Switch Online subscription has gone in and out of stock since Thursday morning. Sam's Club has had a bundle without the Switch Online sub as well, though it's out of stock at the moment. We also saw the console at BJ's early on June 5, but it's not live there now.

Verizon briefly had the Switch 2 available on Thursday morning, but that's dried up, and only those with Verizon service were able to order.

Amazon hasn't had any form of Switch 2 listing on its website thus far, nor has it listed first-party Switch 2 games like Mario Kart World. The company didn't take pre-orders for the Switch 2 either, so it's unclear if and when it will sell the device.

Newegg has listed the Switch 2 on its site for several weeks, but it's given no indication as to when it'll begin sales. It's currently showing a couple listings from a third-party seller, but the prices there are massively overinflated, so you should ignore them.

With all of these stores, we've seen the Mario Kart World bundle available in greater quantities online than the base console, which costs $50 less. But given that Mario Kart is the Switch 2's biggest launch game and retails for $80 on its own, that may not be the worst thing.

Nintendo, meanwhile, is only offering the Switch 2 via an invite system. This requires you to have been a Switch Online member for at least 12 months and logged at least 50 hours of Switch 1 playtime as of April 2. It can't hurt to sign up if you meet the criteria, but don't expect it to bear fruit immediately — many people who registered in April still haven't received an invite.

You can find a list of every Switch 2 retail listing we could find below. Just be aware that this is meant to be a reference, not a rundown of everywhere the device is available right this second.

Where to buy Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle:

Walmart

GameStop

GameStop ($625 bundle with various accessories)

Best Buy

Target

Costco (membership required)

Sam's Club (membership required)

BJ's (membership required)

Verizon (service required)

Where to buy Switch 2:

Walmart

GameStop

Best Buy

Target

BJ's (membership required)

Verizon (service required)

Where to buy Nintendo Switch 2 games and accessories

Nintendo is selling a number of Switch 2 accessories alongside the console, from controllers to cases to cameras for the new GameChat feature. Most of these became available on June 5 as well. The same goes for games like Mario Kart World and the Switch 2 version of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Another big Switch 2 release, Donkey Kong Bananza, won't be available until mid-July but is still up for pre-order now.

As of Monday morning, just about all Switch 2 games remain widely available. Stock for the accessories is a little spottier, but most devices are still available at multiple retailers. Nintendo's official Switch 2 carrying cases are the main exceptions right now, so you may need to look to third-party alternatives if you want some protection for your console right away.

Mario Kart World ($80)

Nintendo

Walmart

GameStop

Best Buy

Target

Donkey Kong Bananza ($70)

Nintendo

Walmart

GameStop

Best Buy

Target

Costco (membership required)

Additional Switch 2 games

Nintendo

Amazon

Walmart

GameStop

Best Buy

Target

Samsung microSD Express Card (256GB) for Nintendo Switch 2 ($60)

Nintendo

Walmart

GameStop

Best Buy

Target

Amazon

Joy-Con 2 bundle ($95)

Nintendo

Walmart

GameStop

Best Buy

Target

Switch 2 Pro Controller ($85)

Nintendo (invite required)

Walmart

GameStop

Best Buy

Target

Costco ($75, membership required)

Switch 2 Camera ($55)

Nintendo

Walmart

GameStop

Best Buy

Target

Hori Nintendo Switch 2 Piranha Plant Camera ($60)

Best Buy

Target

Amazon

Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip ($40)

Nintendo

Walmart

GameStop

Best Buy

Target

Joy-Con 2 Wheels (set of 2) ($25)

Nintendo

Walmart

GameStop

Best Buy

Target

Switch 2 All-in-One Carrying Case ($85)

Nintendo

Walmart

GameStop

Best Buy

Target

Switch 2 Carrying Case and Screen Protector ($40)

Nintendo (invite required)

Walmart

GameStop

Best Buy

Target

Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Set ($120)

Nintendo

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/how-to-buy-the-nintendo-switch-2-current-stock-availability-for-consoles-and-accessories-120039979.html?src=rss

Looking for a different day?A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Monday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, June 9 (game #463).Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.NYT Strands today (game #464) - hint #1 - today's themeWhat is the theme of today's NYT Strands?• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Mind your mannersNYT Strands today (game #464) - hint #2 - clue wordsPlay any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.PALESTOPTRACETHANPOETLIPSNYT Strands today (game #464) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?• Spangram has 8 lettersNYT Strands today (game #464) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?First side: top, 3rd columnLast side: bottom, 3rd columnRight, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.NYT Strands today (game #464) - the answers(Image credit: New York Times)The answers to today's Strands, game #464, are…APOLOGIZERESPECTSHARETHANKLISTENCONSIDERSPANGRAM: BE POLITEMy rating: EasyMy score: PerfectI have always told my children that “manners cost nothing” and “it’s nice to be nice” so it’s good to see this message repeated in today’s word search, which comes with the demand to BE POLITE.My thoughts on this topic extend to our interactions with technology, particularly AI tools such as Alexa and Siri. My approach is twofold – we should be polite because manners should be indiscriminate and also because how we speak to AI becomes part of the algorithm (the one tailored to us and to wider society).We do not know how AI will behave in the future and I’d prefer it if, once it becomes sentient, it thinks it has been treated well by humanity rather than rudely.If it's the latter I hope the AI murderbots remember that I said "please" when I asked them what the weather was going to be like tomorrow.Anyway, I digress and I APOLOGIZE for that. Quite a straightforward game today with little to challenge regular players or our future AI overlords. How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Monday, June 9, game #463)MASKCAMOUFLAGEDISGUISECLOAKCOVERFACADESPANGRAM: FALSE FRONTWhat is NYT Strands?Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

Acer APS322: 30-second reviewBetter known for laptops and monitors, Acer has recently thrust a toe into the Arctic waters of Power Station products. The first two of these are a 600W unit and a larger 1800W option, the APC322, which I’m reviewing here.This power station uses LiFePO4 technology to deliver a 1229 Wh battery in a 19.5 kg package that can be charged from multiple sources, including solar panels that Acer also makes.At nearly 20kg with a power cable, this isn’t the lightest portable battery, but for those travelling in a vehicle, it provides enough power to run basic appliances away from mains power and recharge everyday items like phones and laptops.If anyone is thinking of an adventure holiday or a building site backup, the APC322 fits those agendas and will also function as a UPS to keep power available in the event of a blackout.The problem for Acer is that this is already a highly competitive market, and with DJI Power recently adding to the product ranges of Anker, EcoFlow, Jackery and VTOMAN.Many of them have equivalent products that cost less than the £900 asking price of the APC322, and can output more watts when required.But the biggest drawback of this compared to the better EcoFlow and Jackery options is that there is no phone app for this Acer Power Station. Therefore, if you don’t keep checking the battery and the display, you will be unaware that the power is about to be cut.That’s a problem if you want to use it as a UPS, and it also makes it impossible to integrate it into a smart home with automated discharge and recharge.Because of these limitations, the APC322 is better suited to adventure camping and off-grid use than to powering a home or business for backup.Without a smartphone app, WiFi or USB connectivity, it cannot signal to a connected system that power is about to be cut, making it unsuitable for inclusion in our best UPS collection.Acer APS322: Price & availability(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)How much does it cost? £900When is it out? Available now in the UKWhere can you get it? Direct from online retailers like Currys.My research revealed that Acer planned to produce five versions of this Power Station for specific regions.The APS320 was designed for South Africa, the APS321 for the EU, the APS322 for the UK (reviewed here), the APS323 for Australia, and finally, the USA has the APS324.With the exception of the American APCS24, all the others have the same specifications, but with AC outlets appropriate to the specific locale. The US version has four AC outlets, but that’s mostly because it’s only outputting 110V, and not the 230V that’s standard elsewhere.The direct competitor to the product is the EcoFlow Delta 3 Classic, which has a 1024Wh battery but many other features that this Acer model can't match. That costs $409 from Amazon.com.A similar offering from Anker is the Solix C1000, which costs £650 in the UK, but doesn't seem to be available in the USA right now.If the budget isn't an issue, Jackery has the 2042Wh Explorer 2000 v2 for only $799/£899 via Amazon, and again, that option has remote control by Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.Based on these prices, for what Acer is offering, the APS32X range is substantially above a price that's competitive on features or capacity.Value: 3 / 5Acer APS322: SpecsHardwareAcer APS322Battery Capacity1229 WhOutput WaveformSinewaveInternal Voltage51.2VVoltage InputsAC 220-240 V/ DC 13-45/12/24 VMax Solar Charge rate400WVoltage OutputAC 220-240/ DC 5 / 9/ 12/ 12.6/ 15/ 20 VMax current10AOutlets2x USB-A (18W), 2x USB-A (12W), 2 x USB-C (65 W), 3 x power Type G, 1 x automobile cigarette lighter (126W), 2 x DC5521Size43.2 cm x 27 cm x 30 cm (W x D x H)Weight?19.5kgAccessoriesCar charging cableWarranty2-year warrantyExtended batteryNoRecharge Cycles3000ProtectionOverload protection, solar panel compatible, LCD display, overheat protection, overcurrent protection, overvoltage protection, short-circuit protection.Min Operating Temp-10CMax Operating Temp45CAcer APS322: Design(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Heavy and bigLots of outputsCan charge in three waysLimited accessoriesI’ll start this section by noting that I own an EcoFlow Delta 2, which has served as my reference point for evaluating the Acer APS322.If you take the specification of the APS322, it’s obvious that the inclusion of the extra cells required to achieve the 1229 Wh, another 20% more than the Delta 2, has made this design less portable. But it’s nearly double the mass of the Delta 2, which is only 12kg, versus the 22kg of the APS322.It’s generally a terrible plan to dismantle power stations unless you’re a trained electrician, so why this power station turned up so heavy, I’m unsure.It has recesses on the sides that make it easier to carry, but this isn’t something a child could easily move, and equally, you wouldn’t want to move this any great distance, even as a healthy adult.Where the APS322 outshines the Delta 2 is in respect of outputs. There are thirteen in total that include three AC, six USB and a collection of more esoteric choices.Charging can use standard AC, a 12V car socket or DC inputs from Solar Panels. That last choice would require buying some portable panels for use in the great outdoors, but under the right conditions, the entire capacity can be charged in 4 to 6 hours of sunlight. The maximum input is 400W, so you need to be careful about what the panels are outputting, especially if you are running multiple panels in series.Many Power Stations put the AC outlets and inputs on the rear, leaving the front for USB and other connections. The APS322 has all the outputs on the front, and the inputs are split between the back and the right side, that’s the face with the camping light.Both the input locations have covers and use a flexible material as hinges, which means they don’t stay open unless they’re held or forced by a cable.On the side is the Cigarette lighter socket, two DC 5521 outputs and a switch to activate the DC output. The rear features the AC inlet, a button that toggles between slow and fast charging, a single solar/vehicle charging inlet, and a reset for overload protection.Considering how some of the cheaper Power Stations don’t offer the protections that are genuinely needed, and therefore could create an electrical fire in the wrong circumstances, the APS322 has all the protections you reasonably might expect.For controlling the battery, there is a simple display that shows the charge level, the output level, and how long the battery will last based on current consumption.A single button powers on the battery, and another brings all the AC outlets online, but all the USB ports remain active when the unit is powered on. A third button makes the display active, as it will automatically turn off after a short period of time.And there is also a camping light that could be useful if you need illumination while you determine the reason you have lost power or are attempting to restore it using the APS322.(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)What it lacks is any means to connect additional capacity, something that can expand the Delta 2 to a total capacity of 3040 Wh. That makes the APS322 less attractive for home users wanting to avoid peak period power costs.Included with the battery is a 2M-long power cable, and another that uses the Car Lighter 12V DC output to provide jump-starts, presumably intended to get a vehicle with a dead battery started. That second car charging cable is also about 2M and has two large crocodile clips meant for car battery terminals, making it long enough to sit the APS322 on the ground while charging the vehicle battery in the engine bay.It seems mildly odd to include this without a cable to convert an MC4 solar connection to the phono inputs on the APS322. Without that solar cable, you will need to source it from Acer if you wish to connect solar panels, even if they are not Acer-branded.The maximum input from solar panels is only 400W, which, depending on the panel used, might be exceeded by a single panel. Therefore, those wanting to connect panels should be careful about their maximum rated output, and, if using multiple panels, ensure the total amperage doesn’t exceed 10A.Overall, the extra capacity in the APS322 is useful over a standard 1024Wh battery, but it seems to lack the features and polish that more experienced brands now provide as standard.Design: 4 / 5Acer APS322: User experienceNo mobile App or USB controlRecharge prediction is poorThere are different applications for a product like the APS322: one is using AC appliances away from mains power, and the other is as an add-on to mains power in the event of a power loss.In the first scenario, the APS322 is charged from the mains, using solar or from a vehicle and then taken away from civilisation, where you can plug appliances and mobile devices into it to either recharge or directly power them. And, given the sheer number of outputs, it’s generally well placed to do that job.However, the one major limitation of this device for that use is the cap of 1800W of output. That’s not an issue if you are charging laptops and mobile phones, but some commonly used appliances will exceed that level, such as the humble electric kettle. And, if you are renovating a cottage, many power tools, such as chop saws and heavy-duty drills, exceed the 1800W limit.It’s interesting to note that many power station brands offer a peak value of at least 2400W, mostly to allow some of the more common appliances to work, if briefly. And, it goes without saying that if you do have a device that pulls the full 1800W connected, the capacity of the battery could be exhausted in as little as 40 minutes of use. And, should the device exceed the 1800W limit, then overload projections will kick in and cut the power.Operating near the limit of a battery is never a strategic idea, as it’s most likely to cause failure of any component that isn’t to spec.The alternative use model is one where you have this connected to equipment that you need to protect from power failure, where the power station effectively operates as a UPS (uninterruptible power supply).To this objective, the APS322 has a sensor that can detect the falling voltage when the power is pulled and respond rapidly enough to keep power on even with connected computers without causing a reset.That’s great, but I would never use this product for that purpose. Why? Because when the power goes out, there is no audible warning, no phone message, and no means to use a USB to talk to a connected system and warn it to shut down in a proper manner before the battery is exhausted. That’s poor, and because of the lack of any network capability, it can’t be integrated into a smart home scheme to charge when power is cheapest, and discharge when it’s at its most expensive. EcoFlow and Jackery are offering these things, and were when Acer was designing this product. So, how did it get to market without Wi-Fi or Bluetooth?The quoted charge time is 90 minutes for full capacity, but my testing told a slightly different story. When the charge cycle started, the display read 00% capacity, and it predicted a fill charge pulling 1284W in just 56 minutes. But soon it had forgotten that prediction and changed it to another of 2 hours and 28 minutes when it hit 69%.As the charge progressed, the wattage was lowered to around 300W, which is something you come to expect from this type of device.In the end, it took from 9:21 am to 11:07 am to reach 100%, for a total of 1 hour and 46 minutes. That’s not terrible, but it’s also not 90 minutes, and that was on ‘fast charge’ mode using mains power. As a comparison, the EcoFlow Delta 2 has 20% less battery but only takes 80 minutes to hit full power from empty, which is marginally faster per Wh recovered.More of a concern for Acer is the EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus, which can recover its full capacity in just 56 minutes for its 1024Wh of battery, and is rated for 4000 cycles, not the 3000 of the APS322.It’s clear from these numbers that the APS322 was made to compete with the Delta 2 and similar products, and not what is available now. One telling aspect is that the maximum charge level is roughly 1200W, and that doesn’t change if the unit is simultaneously connected to solar and AC.Also, when it’s charging, the display’s predictions are all over the place. But surely the logic inside is driving the reduction in wattage to top off the cells, so why isn’t that same information used to calculate more accurately how long it will take to charge?(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)The display is also super-annoying because it stays on for only 2 minutes before turning off, regardless of whether the battery is charging or in battery mode. There is no beep it makes when it hits 100%, so you end up using the last guess the system had about being done and then pushing the button to see how it’s doing, which is usually the wrong answer.Obviously, the display when charging should be on all the time, and I’m sure that the rubbish recharge calculations could be fixed with a firmware update. Assuming there is any way to deploy that fix.For those reasons, and its unsophisticated nature, the Acer APS322 probably isn’t the best investment at this time.User experience: 2.5 / 5(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Acer APS322: Final verdictI’m curious how much research Acer did before launching this product, since the market is awash with 1024Wh LFP batteries with sophisticated networking and apps for around £500.And for those who just want a battery to power AC appliances, ones with twice that capacity can be found for less than the APS322’s asking price.Therefore, as nicely made as this product is, it’s priced way above where it should be, since it lacks the sophistication we’ve come to expect from DJI, EcoFlow, Jackery, and others. If it could match the EcoFlow Delta 2 price of £390, and give its buyers 20% more capacity without app connectivity, then it might find a market. But there is plenty of choice and some bargains to be had for Power Station buyers.However, at its current price and with only a 2-year warranty, the APS322 seems out of its depth.Acer APS322: Report cardValueExpensive for a Power Station without any remote control3 / 5DesignNicely made, plenty of outputs, but heavy to carry4 / 5User experienceNo app, no USB UPS control, no power loss warning2.5 / 5OverallLacks features that all EcoFlow and recent Jackery products have, and it's excessively heavy3.5 / 5Should I buy a Acer APS322?(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Buy it if...You need portable powerThe APS322 provides a means to run some less demanding mains appliances off-grid, and it can be recharged with a vehicle or solar panels when away from civilisation.It’s easy to use, and if you have a vehicle to transport.You need to charge many devicesThe large number of outputs allows this power station to charge at least six phones simultaneously, along with laptops and other mobile devices. If you want something to keep all other devices working, then the APS322 might be for you.Don't buy it if...You want a UPSWhile this power station can be used as a UPS, automatically delivering battery power if the mains is disconnected, you won’t get any warning from it that the power has been cut.Also, if you plug in more equipment than the 1800W limit allows, when the power goes out, it will not protect those systems from immediate power loss.You run a smart home systemWithout any wireless networking or even a mobile app, its impossible to connect this battery to any Home Assistant or similar system, and manage its recharge and discharge remotely.Both EcoFlow and Jackery has this technology, but sadly not Acer.Also ConsiderEcoFlow Delta 3 PlusThe EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus provides a balanced combination of power, portability, and versatility. An excellent choice for emergencies, outdoor use, or professional needs, thanks to its size, capacity, ease of charging, and available ports.And, it has two features missing from the APC322. It can be expanded to 5Kwh, and it has a mobile application and API that allows it to be integrated into a Smart Home solution. One of EcoFlow’s best sellers for a reason.Check out our EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus reviewJackery Explorer 1000 V2As the name suggests, this is the second generation of the Jackery Explorer, and it offers 1070Wh of capacity in a reasonably portable 10.9kg package. The only limitation is that the maximum output is only 1500W, less than what the APC322 offers. But it has smart app control via WiFi or Bluetooth.Costly less than £450, this device offers great value.Check out our Jackery Explorer 1000 V2 review