Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Fails Due to GameStop's Preorder Mishap on Debut Day
Tech Troubles: The Nintendo Switch 2 Saga Continues
Welp, it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, my friends.
After a long and restless night (or perhaps a horrifyingly vivid dream), the search for the elusive Nintendo Switch 2 intensified. Retail giants like Walmart, Best Buy, and Target seemed like the obvious choice, but alas, they failed to deliver (pun intended). GameStop, the final bastion of hope for many, seemed like our saving grace. Or so we thought.
Preorders were slated to start at 11 a.m. ET on April 24, but things took a turn for the worse faster than you can say "bad gateway." As soon as the clock struck pedal-to-the-metal, GameStop's site and app crumbled like a house of cards. Users, including some Gizmodo staff, were greeted with a Cloudflare error 502, a grim reminder of the nightmarish chaos that ensued.
Even when the GameStop listing for the Switch 2 miraculously managed to load, it was a cruel joke. A grayed-out box labeled it "Not Available." However, for a brief moment, I managed to snag a glimpse of hope. A red box with the dreaded "Not Available" label gave way to a page where I could purchase the console without a hitch. An order number was mine, but no confirmation email arrived, and my credit card remained untouched. Other buyers reported similar experiences. GameStop later assured customers that those without confirmation emails should be receiving them shortly. Fingers crossed, I guess.
I reached out to GameStop for an update, but they haven't gotten back to me yet. At this point, it's safe to say the Switch 2 is as elusive online as a unicorn with a Nintendo jacket.
The app unfortunately wasn't much better. It displayed an error reading "Activity Paused" and warned users that the network they were on was causing problems. But fear not, the app is now back online as of Thursday afternoon. However, it failed to load the listings for both the $450 console-only model and the $500 Mario Kart World bundle, which offered a $30 savings on the game.
GameStop later updated their website, stating, "Nintendo Switch 2 preorders have sold out online. We will continue to squash bot and duplicate orders to reopen inventory."
It seems physical stores may be the only hope left if you're still clinging to the dream of a Switch 2 on launch day. However, the catch is, well, you need to go to a store and wait in line. Some locations have varying levels of stock, with some boasting upwards of 50 units or more! But be warned, lines at GameStop locations across the U.S. are reportedly massive.
Buying the Switch 2 wasn't exactly a piece of cake for Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa either. In Japan, preorders exceeded the number of available launch units through Nintendo's My Nintendo Store, requiring an apology from Furukawa. Nintendo promised to send out emails to users ordering directly through the company by May 8. However, they caution that delivery by June 5 isn't guaranteed, as demand far surpasses supply.
As of now, the Switch 2 is listed as sold out at Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. It might be time to chill out and wait for a console after launch day, June 5. That'll give you time to catch your breath, read our glowing reviews (yes, we're biased, but it's true!), and contemplate whether you really need a new device in your life.
This story is still developing, so stay tuned for updates!
- Despite attempts at various retailers, the elusive Nintendo Switch 2 remains out of reach, leaving consumers in a state of hopeful anticipation.
- Even nearby gadget stores like GameStop, with speculated stock of up to 50 units, have seen massive lines due to high demand.
- Tech enthusiasts, including some Gizmodo staff, encountered the Cloudflare error 502 on GameStop's site, a testament to the technology's limitations during such high consumer activity.
- Hopefulness temporarily arose when some users managed to place preorders for the Switch 2, but without confirmation emails or charged credit cards, uncertainty remains.
- Ref_src and other consumers may find solace in waiting for launch day, June 5, as they review tech resources like Gizmodo for insightful information and guidance about the new Nintendo Switch 2.
