Nintendo Switch 2 Preorders Mishandled on Launch Day by GameStop
Hey there, buddy! So, we all knows yesterday wasn't our day, huh? Ain't no biggie, though. We were trying to hunt down the elusive Nintendo Switch 2 from some retail giants like Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. GameStop was the last glimmer of hope for many of us, with pre-orders supposed to drop at 11 a.m. ET on April 24, 2021 – or 2025, or whatever the year is, ain't sure. Anyway, GameStop's site and app damn near collapsed when the time came, caught in a tsunami of requests.
Many of us, including a few of our Gizmodo buddies, saw a Cloudflare error 502 for bad gateway when we tried to pre-order. If GameStop's listing for the Switch 2 ever loaded, it was just a grayed-out box stating "Not Available." But I caught a glimpse of hope, mate. I refreshed the page and saw a red box saying "Not Available" – я clicked on it, and viola! I was given a chance to buy the console. I got an order number, but ain't received a confirmation email yet. The order doesn't show up in my GameStop account, and my credit card ain't been charged either. Seems like others had similar issues. GameStop later told customers to expect their confirmation emails soon. I've received confirmation that my order has been processed. If you think you're one of the lucky ones, check your account or email inbox for that confirmation email.
I pinged GameStop to see if they had any update on the situation, but I'm still waiting on a response. At this point, it's like theSwitch 2 has flown off the shelves from most online retailers, at least until more stock comes in.
For a brief while, the GameStop app displayed an error reading "Activity Paused" with a note: "We are having problems processing this request from the network you are currently on." The app is back online as of Thursday afternoon. Earlier, the app wouldn't load the listings for both the $450 console-only model and the $500 Mario Kart World bundle that saves you $30 off the game.
In a nutshell, GameStop said "Nintendo Switch 2 preorders have sold out online. We're going to keep squashing bot and duplicate orders to reopen inventory."
If you aim to secure a Switch 2 on launch day, your last hope lies with in-store preorders. That means you gotta roll up to a brick-and-mortar store... and wait. Good luck because folks are reporting some whopping lines at GameStop locations across the U.S. Some stores got mere units of the Switch 2, while others may have upwards of 50 units or more. Some claim they got in line early morning and walked out with a receipt for a console. But I wouldn't suggest jumping in your car just yet. At least give the store a ring first before wasting your time.
The Switch 2 is anticipated to be one of the biggest gaming launches in years. In Japan, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa had to issue an apology when preorders exceeded the number of launch units through Nintendo's My Nintendo Store. Nintendo has promised to send out emails to users ordering directly through the company by May 8. However, the company warns on its website: "Due to the very high demand, we will work hard to fulfill orders as product becomes available, but delivery by June 5 is not guaranteed. Your invitation email may arrive after the Nintendo Switch 2 launch."
As I type this, the Switch 2 is listed as sold out at Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. Maybe it's time to cool your heels and just wait to get a console after launch on June 5. That'll also give you time to read reviews (that's us!). And don't forget, weigh if you really need a new device in your life before you splash the cash.
This post is still in the works, we'll keep you updated as we learn more!
- The future of technology and gadgets is bright, as evidenced by the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, which is projected to be one of the biggest gaming launches in years.
- Despite numerous attempts to pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2 from various online retailers like GameStop, many encountered difficulties such as Cloudflare errors and unavailability of the product.
- For those still seeking to secure a Nintendo Switch 2 on launch day, in-store preorders remain the last hope, although there may be long queues at brick-and-mortar stores, with some stores having up to 50 units available.
