Hopeless Hunt for the Nintendo Switch 2: GameStop's Fiasco
Nintendo Switch 2 Preorders Mishandled on Launch Day by GameStop
The chase for the Nintendo Switch 2 has turned into a wild goose chase, leaving many potential buyers frustrated and dismayed. After a long, exhausting night of hunting for the elusive console at retail giants like Walmart, Best Buy, and Target, GameStop was the last hope for snagging one before launch day.
Morning came, and GameStop's preorders were set to go live at 11 a.m. ET on April 24. However, the retailer's site and app crumbled like a sandcastle almost instantly, inundated by a deluge of requests. Several Gizmodo staff members, along with countless others, were faced with a familiar Cloudflare error 502—bad gateway, or a grayed-out box labeling the handheld as "Not Available."
But I managed to sneak past the chaos. I found myself staring at a red "Not Available" box, which, to my amazement, led me to a purchasing page for the coveted console. I received an order number, though no confirmation email followed, and the order still hasn't appeared in my GameStop account. Credit card charges have gone unregistered. Many buyers reported similar predicaments. GameStop later assured customers that confirmation emails were on their way.
I reached out to the company to get some clarity on this mess, but they were silent on the issue. At this point, it's clear that the Switch 2 is sold out online from most major retailers, at least until more stock arrives.
The GameStop app initially displayed an "Activity Paused" error with a network issue message. As of Thursday afternoon, though, the app is back online. Previously, it failed to load both the $450 console-only model and the $500 Mario Kart World bundle.
GameStop, in an update, revealed, "Nintendo Switch 2 preorders have sold out online. We will continue to squash bot and duplicate orders to reopen inventory."
There's still a glimmer of hope for securing a Switch 2 on launch day, and that's through an in-store preorder. But brace yourself—you'll have to face the great outdoors and stand in line at a brick-and-mortar retail store. And be prepared—reports suggest massive lines at GameStop outlets across the country, with varying levels of stock. Some stores have as many as 50 units or more, while others may have none at all.
The Switch 2 promises to be one of the biggest gaming launches in years, but its journey to release has been a roller coaster ride. In Japan, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa issued an apology after preorders exceeded the available launch units on the My Nintendo Store. Nintendo has promised to send out emails to users who ordered directly through the company by May 8, though delivery by the launch date of June 5 is not guaranteed.
As of writing, the Switch 2 is listed as sold out at Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. It might be best to relax, take a breath, and wait for the console after its launch date. That would also give you time to read our reviews (we do those!) and decide if you really need a new device in your life.
Stay tuned for updates as we get more information. In the words of Nintendo, "Your intelligent device may dance with frustration, but hold on tight, friends. The Nintendo Switch 2 is nearly here."
- The Nintendo Switch 2 preorders on GameStop's site and app were met with technical issues, frustrating many potential buyers who faced Cloudflare error 502 or "Not Available" messages.
- Some GameStop customers reported receiving an order number for the Nintendo Switch 2, but no confirmation email or registered credit card charges followed.
- GameStop initially showed an "Activity Paused" error on their app, but it has since been restored, failing to load both the console-only model and the Mario Kart World bundle.
- In-store preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2 remain a possibility, but standing in line at brick-and-mortar retail stores may be required, with varying stock levels reported across different stores.
- Despite the chaos, the excitement around the Switch 2's release persists, with Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa apologizing for preorder issues in Japan and promising to send out emails by May 8, though delivery by the launch date of June 5 is not guaranteed.
