Switch 2 Pre-Orders: Chaos Ensues as Servers Crash & Stock Vanishes

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Summary

  • Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders are challenging due to high demand and technical issues across multiple retailers.
  • Despite Target having some success with pre-orders, Best Buy faced delays, and Walmart had mixed outcomes.
  • GameStop pre-orders offer another chance for fans, with some already lining up in anticipation.

Just as anticipated, snagging a pre-order for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 has turned out to be quite a challenge. The moment Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders became available on April 24 at midnight Eastern, gamers and resellers alike rushed to grab their chance to pre-purchase this next-gen console.

Following Nintendo’s announcement of the Switch 2’s pre-order date on April 24, several retailers unveiled their plans to customers. Target, Walmart, and Best Buy revealed that Switch 2 pre-orders would become available at midnight Eastern Time on April 24, while GameStop stated that its pre-orders would be accessible online at 11am ET on the same day, or in-store whenever a customer’s local GameStop opens.

Enthusiastic Nintendo enthusiasts eager to secure immediate pre-orders for the Switch 2 swiftly flocked to Target, Walmart, and Best Buy, yet some diehard fans have successfully managed pre-orders, while others have faced numerous difficulties. Social media platforms are inundated with disgruntled users voicing their dissatisfaction over the Switch 2’s pre-order process, as issues seem to differ among retailers.

Switch 2 Pre-Orders Sell Out and Causing Major Website Problems

It appears that many Nintendo enthusiasts have experienced success with pre-orders for Target’s Switch 2, but the process hasn’t been without its troubles. Prospective early buyers of the Switch 2 have often encountered endless waiting screens while trying to buy the console. In a peculiar instance, I encountered an issue where Target mistakenly attempted to bill me for two Switch 2 consoles, even though there was only one in my shopping cart.

It appears that some people were unable to pre-order the Switch 2 at Best Buy as promised at midnight Eastern, despite others claiming they had no trouble doing so. In my experience, I couldn’t pre-order until about 30 minutes later, and when I tried, the console was already sold out. However, after refreshing a few times, it seemed that I had joined a waiting list for one at Best Buy. Since Best Buy is hosting a midnight launch for the Switch 2, many fans prefer to pre-order from this retailer when it comes to securing the new console.

Currently, Walmart’s performance is a blend of positive and negative feedback, as depicted by social media posts. Similar to Target and Best Buy, some enthusiasts have managed to pre-order the Switch 2 from Walmart, but many users have encountered significant technical issues. In my case, I’ve been stuck in Walmart’s virtual waiting room for approximately 40 minutes at this moment.

Individuals who weren’t successful in pre-ordering the Switch 2 during tonight’s chaos will get another opportunity to reserve one when GameStop starts taking pre-orders on April 24, at 11am ET. Since my local GameStop already has people queueing up, those intending to buy from there might want to swing by and check their stock levels just in case.

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2025-04-24 07:54