Headline: GameStop's Nintendo Switch 2 Preorder Nightmare: A Fiasco in Demand
Nintendo Switch 2 Preorders Mishandled on Launch Day by GameStop
Say your goodbyes to sweet dreams, my friends, because the quest for a Nintendo Switch 2 on launch day has left many tossing and turning with frustration! A disastrous bid for snagging a Switch 2 from retail giants like Walmart, Best Buy, and Target took a turn for the worse when GameStop, the last gleaming hope, flubbed their preorder launch.
The catastrophe started at high noon on April 24th, as GameStop's site and app crumbled like a weak sandcastle, bombarded by a tsunami of requests. Team Gizmodo included, many encountered a Cloudflare error 502 for bad gateway, leaving the Switch 2's gray, ghostly box listed as "Not Available" on the retailer's site.
One incident, however, tells a different tale of luck. I, yours truly, managed to catch a fleeting glimpse of the Switch 2's red "Not Available" sticker, which led me on an unexpected adventure. A click takes me to a page promising the console… yet no confirmation email or evidence in my GameStop account. Others experienced similar misfortune. GameStop later assured us confirmation emails would arrive shortly, but it's a snake-bite-and-wait game at this point.
I reached out to GameStop, but silence was my only reply. By now, it's safe to say the Switch 2 is officially sold out across major online retailers, with more stock likely to return... someday.
As for the GameStop app, it displayed an "Activity Paused" error, with a network-related note. Fortunately, it's back online as of Thursday afternoon. The app initially failed to load Switch 2 listings for both the $450 console-only model and the $500 Mario Kart World bundle, offering a cheaper alternative with $30 savings on the game.
In an update posted to X, GameStop admitted, "Nintendo Switch 2 preorders have sold out online. We'll continue squashing bot and duplicate orders to reopen inventory."
The light at the end of the tunnel, if any, is in-store preorders. You'll have to brave the great outdoors and wait in line at a brick-and-mortar retailer, but success might be yours if you play your cards right. Some stores carry up to 50 units or more, though lines can stretch across the US. Try giving the store a call first before embarking on the expedition, or you might find yourself waiting in vain.
The Switch 2's anticipated launch has generated considerable buzz, with Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa even issing an apology after preorders in Japan exceeded launch-day stock through Nintendo's My Nintendo Store. Nintendo promises to send out emails to consumers ordering directly through the company on May 8. However, be cautious, as the company advises that delivery by June 5 is not guaranteed[1][2].
As of now, the Switch 2 is listed as sold out at Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. It seems the best course of action is to cool those heels and hold out until after launch day, June 5. The extra time will give you ample opportunity to read (hey, we do that!) and decide whether the Switch 2 deserves a spot in your life[1][2].
This is a developing story. Stay tuned as we bring you the latest updates as they unfold.
Notes:
- Polygon: GameStop’s Nintendo Switch 2 preorders are immediately sold out
- GameSpot: Nintendo Switch 2: Release date, price, games, and more
- TechRadar: Nintendo Switch 2 release date, price, news and leaks
- SlashGear: GameStop is selling Nintendo Switch 2 preorders for $449 and $499 right now
- IGN: Nintendo Switch 2 Preorders Started, But Resellers Already Raised Prices
Enrichment Insight: GameStop's Nintendo Switch 2 preorder launch sold out quickly due to extremely high demand. Stock has been severely limited and difficult to secure across major retailers. Nintendo's invitation system prioritizes customers with Nintendo Switch Online memberships, influencing availability on other platforms like GameStop. The console remains hard to preorder, but occasional restocks may offer opportunities for late buyers. Monitoring the Nintendo store invite system and checking multiple retailers for potential restocks is recommended.
- Consumers who were hoping to secure a preorder for the Nintendo Switch 2 from GameStop were met with frustration when the retailer's site and app crashed under the weight of demand on April 24th.
- Many were left with a Cloudflare error 502 for bad gateway, leaving the Switch 2's gray, ghostly box listed as "Not Available" on the retailer's site.
- GameStop later assured consumers that confirmation emails would arrive shortly, but it's a snake-bite-and-wait game at this point.
- In an update, GameStop admitted that Nintendo Switch 2 preorders have sold out online, but they will continue to squash bot and duplicate orders to reopen inventory.
- As of now, the Switch 2 is listed as sold out at major retailers like Best Buy, Target, and Walmart, but success might be found in-store by braving the lines at brick-and-mortar retailers.
