It's a tablet, a console and a portable multiplayer tabletop game system all in one... and it's pretty darn awesome. The Nintendo Switch ($369.50 at Amazon.com) console follows the NES Classic and Super Mario Run ($9.99 at iTunes) in a line of products from the Japanese giant that have titillated gamers over the past year.

You're probably dying to get your hands on one. Well, hold up -- it's hard to come by. Here's what you need to know about snagging the magically versatile gaming system, which has a suggested retail price of $300, £280 or AU$470.

Editors' note: This article was first published on January 12, 2017 and has since been updated. We'll be updating this piece as the Switch is restocked or when new information is released, so stay tuned! 

New shipments are being sent out every now and then to local stores, such as Best Buy, Walmart, GameStop and Target in the US. In fact, a GameStop rep told CNET that its more than 4,400 brick-and-mortar stores will be getting a minimum of five Nintendo Switch consoles each on Tuesday, August 15.

If you don't want to be part of the mad dash to snag one at local stores, here are some places that are still selling the Switch and its goodies online. Many of them have much higher prices than you might find at your local store, though.

ThinkGeek has 10 different Switch bundles that you can preorder, starting at around $400. Eight other preorder sets have already sold out. The bundles will become available in late August and early September. 

GameStop online has four bundles that will be released September 1, starting at around $400. You can preorder them on the site now.

QVC (yes, the home shopping network) has the console for around $550 (£430 or AU$720) with $15 shipping. This is an inflated price, but the site does offer a payment plan, which may be a good option for those who can't throw down all that cash at once. The site also offers a three-year warranty for an added fee.

Amazon has the Switch through third-party sellers. Most of the units are going for around $350. Third-party sellers also have units at Walmart's site, too. Switch consoles start at around $375 with various shipping charges. Overstock.com offers free shipping on consoles.

Jet has the Switch for varying prices, depending on how many you buy, and free shipping. You can also find it at Chunk Toys. Its prices change from week to week, but typically the console goes for around $450 to $500. Chuck offers various shipping options.

In Australia, EB Games is selling the Switch for AU$470, with AU$8 shipping, but it does not ship overseas. It also has several different bundle options to choose from. It also has the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller for AU$100.

Game UK has eight console bundles that start at £400 with free shipping. Very also has the console for £280 and bundles starting at £310. Amazon UK had the system available for £279 with free shipping to buyers in the UK, but is currently out of stock, though third-party sellers are offering it for around £280 and up. 

Once you have the console, there's no problem getting hold of games. You can order several of them through Walmart's website, and GameStop, for example, has a wide range of Switch games and accessories you can purchase online.

What it costs

The Nintendo Switch has a list price of $300, AU$470 or £280. There's only one color option for the console itself, but the attached Joy-Con controllers come in gray, or a more colorful option with one neon blue and one neon red.

Nintendo's online gaming service is currently free for a trial period, but will become a subscription service in 2018. The service will cost $20 per year in the US (about £15 or AU$30). Prices for other countries have yet to be announced. Nintendo says almost all of the games will need a paid service subscription to play online.

The unit comes with a Switch console, two Joy-Con joysticks, two Joy-Con wrist straps, a Joy-Con Grip, the Nintendo Switch Dock, an HDMI cable and an AC adapter.

The Nintendo Pro Controller is sold separately for $70, AU$95 or £60. Additional Joy-Con controllers are sold for $80, AU$105 or £65.

Games

Nintendo has partnered with the industry's biggest names, such as Activision, EA, Capcom, Sega and Konami. The highly anticipated Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was the biggest launch title, greeted with near-universal acclaim. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, a version of the Wii U hit, was also enthusiastically received. Super Mario Odyssey will be released toward the end of 2017.

Additional games include Dragon Quest Heroes 1 and 2, Project Octopath Traveler, Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, FIFA, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and Fire Emblem Warriors.

There are two new games that highlight the HD Rumble feature in the Joy-Con controllers. 1-2-Switch is a wacky party game, while ARMS is a boxing game. 1-2-Switch is out now and ARMS is coming soon.

Want more? We can help: Here's everything we know about the Switch.

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