As I begin writing this piece, it's 11:30pm CT, well past my bedtime on a work night, and I'm joining countless others worldwide in the frantic scramble to pre-order a Nintendo Switch 2. The pre-order window opened at 9pm PT/12am ET across three major retailers: Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. However, the process has been anything but smooth, leaving many, including a significant portion of the IGN staff, grappling with varying degrees of success and widespread frustration, as echoed across social media.
At Walmart, eager buyers were quickly funneled into a digital queue system. While some managed to progress and secure their consoles, others lingered on a "stay in line" screen with no clear timeline for completion. Those who reached the end faced unexpected error messages or other technical glitches, adding to the confusion.
Target, on the other hand, did not employ a queue system initially, leading to a surge of successful purchases. However, the joy was short-lived for many as error screens disrupted the process. Some received confirmation only to be hit with cancellation emails shortly after, while others found their Switch 2s mysteriously vanishing from their carts mid-purchase, forcing them to start over.
The Nintendo Switch 2 sold out instantly at Target. This is unreal bro. I refreshed on the second it turned 12 am. Actually unreal pic.twitter.com/LAQ4lC03qw
— Kenj (@Kenjdx) April 24, 2025
Best Buy's pre-orders were delayed, displaying a "Coming Soon" message for half an hour before slowly admitting customers into a queue. As some began receiving purchase confirmations, others encountered the same errors and restarts seen at other retailers. Additionally, some buyers faced fraud alerts and financial issues that further complicated their efforts.
As I wrote this, Target and Walmart officially sold out, while Best Buy's queue continued to test the patience of hopefuls like myself. Reports of canceled or delayed orders with no new delivery dates further compounded the frustration.
2 minutes.... from r/Switch
Target cancelled my order 10 minutes after placing from r/Switch
In the coming hours, more successes are expected, and GameStop will offer another pre-order opportunity at 11:00am ET, both in-store and online. Additionally, some Nintendo account holders might receive an email in May for a direct pre-order from Nintendo, though this is not guaranteed, especially given the high demand in Japan compared to projected supply.
Bots are the worst from r/Switch
While those less invested might dismiss the chaos, for dedicated Nintendo fans, the situation is deeply frustrating, compounded by a confusing rollout. The initial excitement of the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal was overshadowed by pricing concerns for both the system and accessories, especially after a pause in pre-orders due to U.S. tariffs. Nintendo's lack of clarity on software pricing, formats, and content has only added to the confusion, leaving fans uncertain about the cost and specifics of their purchases. With potential future price hikes and supply issues looming, the urgency to secure a console at launch is palpable.
For those eager to play Mario Kart World at launch, navigating this pre-order landscape is the current reality. Here's a guide for those still trying to secure their Nintendo Switch 2:
